August 10, 2026

A free public service

Attribution: US FTC.gov

SCAMS BULLETN Jay White is an inactive attorney in San Mateo County, California, USA.

As a veteran, you’ve worked hard to protect our country. And if you’re a veteran-run small business, you know how important it is to have protections against scammers and cybercriminals. Your best defense is an informed workforce, so here are some free resources to help you start the conversation with your team.

s a veteran, you’ve worked hard to protect our country. And if you’re a veteran-run small business, you know how important it is to have protections against scammers and cybercriminals. Your best defense is an informed workforce, so here are some free resources to help you start the conversation with your team.

At ftc.gov/SmallBusiness, you’ll find the FTC’s Scams and Your Small Business article, which explains the signs of scams that often target small businesses. Share this article to help your team spot scams related to fake invoices, tech support, and business and government impersonators.

Want to get help on topics like using email authentication, protecting your business from phishing scams, and planning in case of a data breach? Visit the FTC’s Cybersecurity for Small Business article at ftc.gov/cybersecurity. Use this article to talk to your staff about protecting your business against cyber threats.

Scammers are constantly looking for ways to steal money and personal information, so here are some more ways to help you protect your business, employees, and customers.

• Create a culture of security. Train your employees not to send passwords or sensitive information by email, even if they get a request in an email that looks like it’s from a manager. Explain to your staff how scams happen and encourage them to talk with their coworkers if they suspect a scam.
• Make a plan for saving data, running your business, and notifying your customers if you experience a data breach.
• Stay in the know. Subscribe to the FTC’s Business Blog and Consumer Alerts to get the latest on how to protect yourself from scammers, cybercriminals, and more. Encourage your staff to subscribe, too.

If you spot a scam, tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

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A free public service

Attribution: US ftc.gov

August 4, 2026

SCAMS BULLETIN Host Jay White is an inactive attorney in San Mateo County, California, USA.

Scammers know that applying for veterans benefits is at the top of the to-do list when you’re getting ready to leave the military. That’s why they pretend to be with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and offer to help you apply for benefits if you pay them — even though it’s free to apply with the VA. So if you’re applying for veterans benefits, get the help you need while avoiding scams. Here’s how.

First, know how the scam works: You get an unexpected call, text, email, or message on social media from someone who says they’re reaching out about your veterans benefits. They might claim to work for the VA or say they’re “approved” by the VA. (But, really, they’re not.) They offer to help you do things like apply for benefits you’re “missing,” get you a 100% disability rating, or speed up the claims process — all for a fee.

Those are all scams. The VA will never charge you to apply for benefits. Accredited representatives and recognized Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) won’t charge you either, but scammers will. A few things to remember:

• Never pay to apply. Whether you apply online or in person at a VA Regional Office, the VA will help you gather and develop evidence to support your initial claim for VA benefits — for free.
• Apply directly to the VA. Only the VA can determine your eligibility and award benefits. Anything else is a scam. Only scammers guarantee you’ll get benefits or offer to help you skip the line. Not even accredited representatives can do that.
• Work with a VA accredited representative. Use the VA’s Accreditation Search tool to make sure that the person helping you is actually approved by the VA.

If you spot a VA impersonation scam, tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Then, tell your state attorney general.

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