VA’s Commitment to Protect Veterans
As we observe National Consumer Protection Week, March 2 – 8, and Slam the Scam Day on March 5, 2026, we want to reaffirm our dedication to protecting the Veterans we serve from fraud and scams. Veterans have earned their benefits through service and sacrifice, and it is our collective duty to shield them from those who aim to exploit them.
Sadly, bad actors are increasingly targeting Veterans due to their association with government benefits and personal information with schemes designed to steal their personal information, financial resources and benefits. These scams often involve government impostors, direct deposit fraud, phishing attacks, identity theft, payment redirection and social media scams. By staying informed and taking preventive actions, Veterans can safeguard themselves and their families from these malicious schemes.
Common government imposter scams affecting Veterans
- Payment redirect/direct deposit fraud: Avoid depositing VA benefits directly into a family member’s or caregiver’s bank account unless they are a court-appointed representative or a VA-accredited fiduciary. This precaution helps to prevent any potential misuse of funds and ensures that benefits are managed by legally authorized individuals.
- Fake compensation claims assistance: Scammers often pose as individuals offering assistance to help file compensation claims or appeals, requiring upfront fees. These imposters typically misappropriate the funds or charge excessive fees for their services, leaving the Veterans worse off financially.
- Pension poaching: Bad actors may offer to manage a Veteran’s pension benefits, promising increased payouts. These scammers often misappropriate the funds or charge excessive fees, which can lead to financial distress for the Veteran.
- Fake VA calls and emails: Scammers may impersonate VA representatives, contacting Veterans via phone or email, claiming there are urgent issues with their benefits or personal information. They often ask for personal identification information (PII) or payment for supposed fees related to benefits.
- Phishing attacks: Be aware of phishing attacks designed to deceive Veterans into revealing sensitive information like Social Security Numbers, bank account details or passwords. These attacks often flood email inboxes or text message threads with fake communications.
Fraud prevention advice
Protect personal information
- Do not share Social Security Numbers, VA claim numbers or financial information unless you are confident about the requester’s identity.
- Never click links or download attachments from unknown sources.
- Shred documents containing personal information before disposal.
- Never share your banking details with “online friends” or unfamiliar individuals. Scammers may attempt to build trust only to exploit it for financial gain.
Protect against identity theft
- Official communications from VA and other government agencies typically come through secure and traceable means. Be wary of supposed official emails or phone calls that do not follow usual correspondence protocols.
- Always verify the identity of anyone contacting you and asking for personal information. Use official websites or known phone numbers to confirm their identities.
- VA representatives will never ask for personal information or payments over the phone or via unsolicited emails.
- If in doubt, contact VA directly using contact information from official VA websites.
Be skeptical of unusual payment methods
- Be cautious if you are asked to make payments using unconventional methods like wire transfers, bitcoins, prepaid debit cards, money transfers or gift cards. Legitimate organizations typically do not request payments in these ways.
Stay informed
- Stay informed about the latest scams and fraud tactics affecting Veterans through trusted sources such as VA and FTC.
Reporting suspicious activity
Being vigilant against fraudulent attempts to steal personal information or money requires recognizing deceptive tactics used by scammers and actively refusing to engage with them. We need your help to #SlamTheScam on government imposters. Learn how to spot scams, identify red flags and report suspicious activity at ssa.gov/scam. Stay safe, stay informed and always verify before you trust.
If a Veteran is missing a VA benefits payment, identifies a discrepancy in payments or finds suspicious activity with their direct deposit account, contact VA immediately at 800-827-1000. Veterans who suspect they have experienced fraud can find out more and report to the appropriate agency at VSAFE.gov or by calling (833) 38V-SAFE.