7 Ways Veterans Can Protect Themselves From Scams
Reading Time: 3 MinutesLast Updated: April 18, 2025
Veterans exposed to Agent Orange, burn pits, and other toxic substances during their military service may receive expanded health care and benefits under the PACT Act. That’s good news for millions of veterans.
Here’s the bad news: The PACT Act, signed into law in August 2022, created another opportunity for scammers to target and cheat veterans.
Posing as employees of the Veterans Administration (VA), scammers contact veterans by phone, mail, email, and social media and offer to help them access or file for benefits on their behalf – for a fee.
March 6 is National “Slam the Scam Day,” organized by our Office of the Inspector General to raise awareness about government imposter scams.
This year, we’re focusing on educating veterans about how they can identify and avoid PACT Act and other scams.
How to identify and avoid scams
If you’re a veteran, here are 7 ways you can protect yourself:
- Be cautious of companies that advertise that you can only get VA benefits with their help. These companies may charge illegal fees for services that you can get for free. You can check their credentials using VA’s online Accreditation tool.
- If a company pressures you to sign a contract right away or take some other immediate action, that’s a red flag. If they insist “You must act now,” ignore them.
- Disregard advertisements that promise an immediate or overly generous payout. Claims like these are also red flags. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
- Be alert to “phishing” and requests for personal information about you, your benefits, medical records, and finances. The VA – like Social Security – will generally not call you to request information unless you have pending agency business. When we need to reach you or to update your record, we’ll mail you a letter with instructions.
- Limit the personal details you share on social media. The more you post about yourself online, the easier it may be for criminals to use that information to access your VA accounts, steal your identity, and more.
- Be careful about the Internet sites you visit. Before doing business online, check for “https://” at the start of the website address. The “s” stands for “secure” — these sites use extra measures to keep your information safe.
- Watch out for common red flags in emails, texts, and on social media. You should be suspicious:
- If they come from a public domain, such as gmail.com or yahoo.com. Emails from government agencies will generally end in .gov, like va.gov or ssa.gov.
- If they contain suspicious or random links or attachments and “urgent” requests for action.
- If they have spelling and grammatical errors.
Where to get help and more information
- Report and learn more about Social Security-related scams at ssa.gov/scam.
- Sign up for free consumer alerts from the Federal Trade Commission and, if necessary, file a complaint at Reportfraud.ftc.gov.
- Report suspected fraud to the VSAFE Fraud Hotline at 833-38V-SAFE and find resources at VSAFE.gov.
- Subscribe to MilitaryConsumer.gov/blog for the latest news on scams.
- Visit Operation Protect https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/Veterans, a joint program of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and AARP.
Please help us spread the message by sharing this important information with other veterans and loved ones. Don’t forget to join us on March 6 to help “Slam the Scam”.
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Angel G.
Newly retired, newly on SS, & new to town, I began volunteering for a political group. I got to meet the Local politicians & not so local politicians too. One year here, I dated one of the workers for a Congressman thinking “must a be a Good/Safe Person if he works for a Public Figure.” Around the 5th month of Dating I allowed him in my Home. He immediately started Stealing CASH, random items, even Food from me behind my back, but at the same time was Future Faking. Then he had Smear Campaigned me to my political Group behind my back who all began Mistreating me based on his Lies, all while he was now outright Gaslighting me in the most insidious ways. It was when the Congressman was asked to LEAVE THE VA Office he had that I checked my VA Medical Records & it turns out that CHANGES were made to my Records. They had me Listed as “Married” though I’m Single, among other things. That’s when it began to make Sense that this Man is a Con Artist & was setting me up for FRAUD. Turns out he is a Malignant Narcissist. It’s 8 YEARS of NO CONTACT now & he STILL Orchestrates others to come at me with nefarious schemes/agendas, Harrass me, Watches my comings & goings, Triangulates my Neighbors against me & to watch my comings & goings as well. He, & even others I don’t know, Stalk me to my Medical, Hair, Shopping, Appts etc. He has someone Hacking me, Cyber Stalking, Cyber Bullying, & Shadow Banning me, Making False Reports about me to Agencies. He makes Anonymous Calls to my Friends & Fabricates Lies to Stir up Discord in my closest relationships. etc. Mail has been taken directly from my Mail box too. Mysterious Damages were done to my Home’s Electrical System to the tune of almost $4K. All types of unnatural disasters were occurring. The common Theme? MONEY. So I faced the Truth: He’s trying to Financially Destroy me out of Professional Jealousy, Envy, Greed, & God only knows what. I reported him to the Congressman’s Washington Office & harrowingly, the Congressman Pulled Him Closer.
These people think I’m Alone & that I don’t have anyone. He’s literally Studied me & tries to Duplicate me all while trying to Destroy me. He is Targeting me because I’m a Single Female, Disabled Veteran Homeowner. He thinks if he can Know Everything there is to Know about me, he can Learn how to Trigger me, & then he can – & has- make my Life a Living H*ll. His Goal?: for me to Off Myself or something. Gosh is he ever WRONG?! Instead, I’m telling anyone who’ll listen what I have been through. If you or anyone you know has been through this type of Domestic (Psychological) Violence, be sure to Report it to the Federal Trade Commission & Local Police. I’m fortunate to have a Pastor & Church who keep me Prayed Up against this demon. And Local Police who are standing by. The Con’s holding out that I suffer this Alone, but I’m determined to Help others NOT to end up in this Situation. These Criminals must be flushed out and Bill Boarded for all to see.
Robert S.
I appreciate you sharing these important suggestions for veterans to avoid scams. Helping a veteran nursing student who almost fell for a phony scholarship scam while balancing her studies was brought to mind by your article. Instead, Nursing Dissertation Writers assisted him in concentrating on reputable academic assistance. Students require dependable assistance to steer clear of academic problems, just as veterans require trustworthy resources. Your vigilance tip is excellent for schooling as well; always double-check before making a commitment!
Angel G.
Wow, I never even heard of a “Scholarship Scam” before. I guess the Types of Scams out there are limitless. SO Glad for a Good Outcome in your friend’s case. Awareness is Key.
Kasimhaji H.
KH
Daniel R.
I lost all my check
quacy m.
ok tell everyone thank you at social security and snap food for finishing my snap paper for me. so my reverification is done tell them thank you . tell them thank you for all your hard work. everyone involve
quacy m.
recertification