Military veterans, and active-duty service members and their families are commonly targeted by con artists. In fact, a 2021 survey by AARP found that military personnel are 40% more likely to lose money than their civilian counterparts when hit by similar scams and schemes.
Scammers follow the money and active-duty service members get a steady paycheck, while veterans can receive regular benefit payments.
These criminals often use military jargon and pretend to be with a government agency, such as the VA.
And they pretend to be working for them, and trying to help them access benefits, or file paperwork. But certainly, that is just not true,” said Amy Nofziger with the AARP Fraud Watch Network. No government entity will ever call you, text you or email you, or certainly reach out over social media for anything to do with your benefits. If they do, it’s 100% a scam.”
So, how do you protect yourself? Always go to the source.
“Go to the Veterans Administration’s website, find the contact information there, or on any cards or any information that you have from them,” Nofziger said. “Do not just do a blanket Google search because we do know that criminals place fake customer service phone numbers to try to ensnare victims.”
When in doubt, disengage before you share any personal information or send any money.
More information is available at www.aarp.org/VetsFraudCenter.
If you get a call, text, email, or social media message and don’t know what to do, call the AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline at 877-908-3360 before you provide an unknown caller with information or money. You do not need to be an AARP member to use this free service.
More information can be found at www.aarp.org/VetsFraudCenter
