SCAMS BULLETIN Host Jay White is a volunteer attorney who provided free legal services for low income seniors in San Mateo County, California.

December 15, 2019

VETERANS SCAMS

Scammers are targeting US Veterans. Veterans who receive calls or recorded messages claiming to be from “veterans services” should have their guard up. Scammers may tell vets there is a new type of veterans’ home loan or other benefits.

The scammers often leave voice messages, following a script that goes something like this: “Your VA profile was flagged for two potential benefits to the changes in the VA program. These are time sensitive entitlements. Please call us back at your earliest convenience”.

The voicemail includes a fraudulent call-back number for “veterans services.” Potential victims who call the number are offered “benefits,” such as loan modifications to their mortgages, then asked for personal information, including social security numbers, dates of birth and bank account numbers.

Scammers who gain access to such information can use it to steal money from bank accounts or credit cards, or sell the information to other bad actors for use in identity theft fraud.

Other recurring phone scams preying on veterans include the “Update Your Military File” scam, the “Veteran Charity” scam and the “Veterans Choice Program”. Their purpose is the same. Obtain a veteran’s personal information—to steal the veteran’s money.

If you receive a call offering “services”, hang up immediately. If you receive a voice message, write down the callback number and contact law enforcement to report the scam. Also, help fight scammers by filing a complaint with the US Federal Communication Commission at www.fcc.gov.