Veterans are targeted. Here's how to fight back.
Scammers know veterans get steady benefits, follow procedure, and trust authority. That's why veterans get hit harder than the general population. The 12 scams below are the ones VA OIG, FTC, and AARP Fraud Watch flag most often. Knowing them is half the defense.
Two rules that defeat 90% of veteran fraud
1. No one charges money to file a VA claim. It's against federal law (38 USC §5904). VSOs file for free. Anyone asking for money is breaking the law.
2. The VA does not call to threaten suspension of benefits. If you're getting that call, it's a scam. Hang up and call VA directly at 1-800-827-1000.
The 12 most common veteran-targeting scams
PACT Act / Burn Pit Claim Sharks
Companies charging veterans hundreds or thousands to "help file" PACT Act or other VA claims that VSOs file for free.
Red flags: Up-front fees · "We work with the VA" claims · Pressure tactics · Anyone charging ANY money for a VA claim is breaking federal law (Title 38 §5904).
What to do: Hang up. File for free with an accredited VSO (DAV, VFW, American Legion). Report to VA OIG and FTC.
Report to: va.gov/ogc/accreditation.asp · ftc.gov/complaint
Pension Poaching
Bad-faith advisors talking elderly veterans into restructuring assets to "qualify" for the Aid & Attendance pension — usually with high-fee annuities or trusts that benefit the advisor.
Red flags: Free dinner seminars · "Hide your assets" advice · Annuity sales bundled with VA benefits · Advisor not VA-accredited.
What to do: Walk away. Talk to a VA-accredited attorney or VSO instead. Asset transfers can backfire under VA's 3-year look-back rule.
Report to: va.gov/ogc/accreditation.asp · state insurance commissioner
Identity Theft via DD-214
Scammers obtain or buy DD-214 records and use SSN, service dates, and dependents to open credit, file false tax returns, or steal benefits.
Red flags: Unexpected denials of credit · Mail addressed to a name you don't recognize · Tax return rejected as "already filed."
What to do: Freeze credit at all 3 bureaus (free for veterans & family). File IRS form 14039. Place active-duty alert if applicable.
Report to: identitytheft.gov · ftc.gov · IRS Identity Theft 1-800-908-4490
Romance Scams
Often targeting elderly or recently-widowed veterans through dating apps and social media — eventually asking for money for "emergency" travel, medical bills, or "investments."
Red flags: Romance moves fast · Refuses to video call · Always traveling/deployed · Asks for gift cards or wire transfers · Can't meet in person.
What to do: Stop sending money. Talk to a trusted family member. Search photos via reverse image lookup.
Report to: ic3.gov · AARP Fraud Watch Helpline 1-877-908-3360
Recruiter / Fake VA Rep Impersonation
Caller claims to be from the VA, the DoD, or "Veterans Affairs" and threatens benefit suspension unless personal info is verified.
Red flags: VA does not call to threaten benefit suspension · Caller has Caller-ID-spoofed VA numbers · Asks for SSN, banking info, or to "verify" your VA file number.
What to do: Hang up. Call VA at 1-800-827-1000 directly to confirm.
Report to: oig.va.gov · ftc.gov
GI Bill Education Fraud
For-profit schools targeting veterans with high-cost programs that don't lead to recognized credentials, exhausting GI Bill benefits.
Red flags: Aggressive recruiters · "GI Bill is wasted if not used now" · Programs not regionally accredited · No published job-placement rates.
What to do: Check school accreditation at ed.gov. Look up program at va.gov/education/gi-bill-comparison-tool/.
Report to: va.gov/ogc/feedback · State Approving Agency
Vehicle Warranty Scams
Aggressive robocalls claiming "your warranty is about to expire" — particularly targeting veterans with VA pension direct-deposit who may seem like easier marks for high-pressure sales.
Red flags: Unsolicited robocall · Demands quick decision · Asks for VIN, address, payment.
What to do: Don't engage. Real warranty providers don't cold-call.
Report to: donotcall.gov · ftc.gov
Stolen Valor Charity Fraud
Fake or low-percentage "veteran charities" using military imagery and aggressive telemarketing to collect donations that never reach veterans.
Red flags: High-pressure phone solicitations · Vague descriptions of programs · No financials available · Charity not on Charity Navigator or GuideStar.
What to do: Donate only to known, audited charities. Check Charity Navigator before giving.
Report to: ftc.gov · state attorney general
Phantom Loan / Refi Schemes
Predatory VA-loan refinancing offers ("$0 closing!", "skip-a-payment!") that strip equity, churn the loan, and lock veterans into worse terms.
Red flags: Unsolicited refinance pitch · "Skip a payment" promises · No comparison to current loan · Pressure to close fast.
What to do: Talk to your current servicer first. Consult a VA-accredited housing counselor.
Report to: va.gov/housing-assistance · CFPB consumerfinance.gov
TSP / IRA Rollover Scams
Brokers pressuring transitioning service members to roll TSP into high-fee annuities or speculative investments at separation.
Red flags: Free seminars timed to separation · Promises of guaranteed returns · "TSP is government-controlled" fearmongering · Advisor not a fiduciary.
What to do: TSP is one of the lowest-fee retirement vehicles in America. Most service members should leave it alone or roll into a low-fee IRA — never into an annuity sold by the same person advising.
Report to: sec.gov/tcr · finra.org/complaint
Caregiver Program Scams
Companies promising to "guarantee" approval into the VA Caregiver Program (PCAFC) — a benefit that is determined exclusively by VA clinicians.
Red flags: Up-front fees · "We have inside contacts at VA" · "Guaranteed approval" language.
What to do: Apply directly through caregiver.va.gov. Free help via your local VA Caregiver Support Coordinator.
Report to: va.gov/ogc · oig.va.gov
Phantom Job Offers
Fake "veteran-priority" job listings collecting personal info or charging for "background processing fees" — sometimes routing through fake LinkedIn profiles of recruiters.
Red flags: Asks for SSN before interview · Charges any fee · Email from public domain (gmail) for a "corporate" job · Salary too good to be true.
What to do: Verify employer through their official .com careers page. Use Hiring Our Heroes & VA Employment for vetted listings.
Report to: ic3.gov · LinkedIn report
Where to report
FTC ReportFraud.gov
Federal Trade Commission's central fraud complaint portal. Use this for almost anything.
reportfraud.ftc.gov →VA Office of Inspector General
For fraud against the VA itself, accredited-rep violations, or VA-employee misconduct. Hotline: 1-800-488-8244
va.gov/oig →FBI Internet Crime IC3
Online scams, romance fraud, business email compromise.
ic3.gov →AARP Fraud Watch Helpline
Free, even if you're not an AARP member. Counselors who specialize in elder fraud. 1-877-908-3360
aarp.org/fraud →CFPB
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau — for predatory loans, refis, banking, debt collection.
consumerfinance.gov →IdentityTheft.gov
Step-by-step recovery plan if your DD-214, SSN, or credit was used.
identitytheft.gov →