Because VA disability benefits can provide disabled veterans with critical financial support, some scammers prey on veterans seeking help securing benefits or financial assistance. As a disabled veteran, recognizing common scams and predatory practices and knowing what actions to take to protect yourself can help you avoid becoming a victim of scammers.
Common VA Scams and Predatory Practices
Common types of VA claims scams that veterans may become the victim of include:
- Unaccredited claims advisors: So-called “consultants” may promise veterans prompt claims processing or “guaranteed” approval; however, such companies cannot promise such results and may not have the experience to advise veterans filing disability benefits claims.
- Upfront or percentage-based fee scams: Fraudulent VA claims consultants may illegally charge upfront fees for assistance with initial claims in violation of VA regulations.
- “Benefits buyouts” and pension advances: Predatory lenders may target veterans receiving disability benefits with “loan” products, preying on veterans facing financial difficulties. These scams may offer veterans a lump sum payment in exchange for the veteran’s future disability payments or provide an advance on the veteran’s next disability check while charging high interest rates and fees.
- Phishing/identity theft schemes: Scammers may target veterans with phishing schemes, which seek to induce an individual to divulge sensitive personal or financial information. Identity thieves may use information successfully obtained from a veteran to file a fraudulent disability benefits claim using the veteran’s identity or to divert the veteran’s disability checks to the scammer’s account. Phishing schemes usually use written correspondence, emails, or phone calls purportedly from the VA, which encourage the target to provide confidential information like service numbers, Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and account login information.
Who Can Help with VA Claims?
Under VA regulations, only certain professionals and companies may assist veterans with filing VA disability benefits claims, including VA-accredited attorneys, claims agents, and Veterans Service Organizations. VA accreditation can ensure veterans that a professional provides legitimate services and has the skills and experience to assist veterans with benefits claims. The VA’s website has a portal for veterans to verify a professional’s accreditation status.
Tips for Protecting Yourself Against VA Claim Scams
Best practices for avoiding becoming a victim of VA claims scams include:
- Never pay upfront fees for assistance with an initial claim filing. VA regulations prohibit advisors or consultants from charging fees before a determination on a veteran’s initial claim.
- Check the accreditation of any representative who contacts you about filing a VA disability benefits claim.
- Avoid sharing personal or financial information with unverified sources.
- Only use official channels to communicate with the VA. If you receive a letter, email, text message, or phone call purporting to come from the VA, you can respond by going to the VA’s website to email or call the agency through their official email address or phone number.
What to Do If You Suspect a Scam
Steps you can take if you suspect that VA claims scammers have contacted you include:
- Stop communicating with the suspected scammer immediately. Do not respond to emails or texts and promptly hang up any calls you receive from them.
- Preserve copies of any correspondence you received and take notes of any phone conversations you had.
- Report the suspected scammer to the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Federal Trade Commission.
- Monitor your bank accounts and credit reports for suspicious activity.
Finally, you can contact a VA disability benefits attorney to help protect your claim or your rights to disability benefits if you believe you may have become the target of a VA claims scam.
Contact a VA Disability Benefits Attorney
As a veteran with a service-connected medical condition, you may have scammers contact you to make you the target of a VA disability benefits scam. Contact Veteran’s Legal Center today for a free, confidential consultation with an experienced VA disability benefits lawyer to discuss your legal options.