Protect what you earned
Scammers use military connections, VA benefits, urgency, and official-looking messages to gain trust. Pause before you pay, click, sign, or share.
Verified notices
Alerts are listed with the newest verified notice first. Always use the official website or phone number shown in the reporting section below.
Scammers are impersonating U.S. and foreign government or law-enforcement officials by phone, text, email, spoofed caller ID, fake credentials, and even AI-generated video.
What to do: End the contact. Government and law-enforcement agencies will not demand payment or sensitive information by phone or text. Verify the agency using contact information you find independently on an official government website.
VA warns that scammers may claim military or Veteran connections, promote "Veteran-only” opportunities, promise unusually high returns, or use high-pressure tactics involving cryptocurrency, precious metals, real estate, or other investments.
What to do: Do not rush. Verify the person and company independently, get details in writing, and never share VA.gov credentials, a DD214, Social Security numbers, or financial information for an investment pitch.
Postcards promise extra monthly benefits through a "Veterans Savings Program” that does not exist. The goal is to get Veterans or spouses to call and disclose Social Security, banking, or other sensitive information.
What to do: Do not call the number on the postcard. Verify benefits directly with VA at 800-827-1000.
Scammers may pose as VA representatives or claim they are "approved” by VA, then charge a fee to file an initial claim, promise a guaranteed rating, or claim they can move a claim to the front of the line.
What to do: Initial VA claims assistance is available without a filing fee. Verify anyone offering claims help through VA’s accreditation search before sharing information or signing an agreement.
Imposters use official-looking letters, texts, emails, or calls to claim you owe VA money. They may pressure Veterans to pay through unofficial channels.
What to do: Check VA.gov or call VA Debt Management at 800-827-0648. VA identifies wire transfers, cryptocurrency, prepaid debit cards, money transfers, and gift cards as scam warning signs.
A quick recognition tool
One sign may be enough reason to pause. Several signs together strongly suggest a scam.
They impersonate an agency, bank, charity, company, or person you trust.
They claim your benefits, account, freedom, or family member is in danger.
They demand immediate action and discourage you from checking with anyone.
They insist on gift cards, wire transfers, payment apps, cash, or cryptocurrency.
Know the playbook
Promises of guaranteed ratings, faster claims, or help with an initial claim in exchange for high fees or part of your future benefits.
Protect yourself: Initial VA claims assistance is free. Verify every representative through VA’s accreditation search.
Phishing messages or calls collect enough personal information to access an account and redirect VA deposits.
Protect yourself: Never share VA.gov credentials or one-time security codes. Check deposits and profile changes regularly.
A new online friend builds trust, then asks for money, cryptocurrency, gift cards, or help with an emergency or investment.
Protect yourself: Never send money or financial information to someone you have only met online.
Caller-ID spoofing, official seals, AI-cloned voices, or deepfake video make a fake VA, FBI, IRS, police, or military contact look real.
Protect yourself: End the contact and call the organization back using a number from its official .gov website.
Fake rentals, schools, employers, or military-move services demand deposits, equipment payments, or sensitive information before verification.
Protect yourself: Do not pay by wire, gift card, payment app, or cryptocurrency. Independently verify the company and address.
Fraudsters exploit support for Veterans or target previous scam victims with promises to recover lost money for an upfront fee.
Protect yourself: Research charities independently. No legitimate government recovery service charges a fee to return stolen funds.
Act without shame
Scams are designed by professionals to manipulate people. Acting quickly matters more than feeling embarrassed.
Get payment-specific stepsCall the bank, card issuer, wire service, gift-card company, payment app, or crypto exchange. Report fraud and ask whether the transaction can be reversed.
Change compromised passwords from a trusted device. Use a different password for every account and turn on multifactor authentication.
Use IdentityTheft.gov for a recovery plan. Consider a free credit freeze with all three nationwide credit bureaus.
Save original emails, texts, envelopes, receipts, phone numbers, usernames, URLs, transaction details, and a timeline. Do not keep engaging with the scammer.
Start with VSAFE for Veteran-related fraud, then use the appropriate federal, state, or law-enforcement reporting option below.
Send the report to the right place
You may need to report the same incident to more than one organization.
Best for: Veteran, service member, or family scams
Call 1-833-38V-SAFE (1-833-388-7233).
Visit VSAFE.govBest for: Consumer scams and deceptive businesses
Your report helps investigators identify patterns.
Report to the FTCBest for: Stolen personal information or identity misuse
Create a personalized recovery plan and official report.
Start a recovery planBest for: Online scams, cybercrime, or digital payments
Keep original evidence; IC3 does not accept attachments.
File at IC3.govBest for: Fraud, waste, abuse, or misconduct involving VA
Online complaint form or 1-800-488-8244.
Contact VA OIGBest for: Scams affecting Washington residents
Consumer Resource Center: 1-800-551-4636.
File a state complaintUse a trusted route
Never use a phone number or link supplied in a suspicious message. Look up the organization independently.
Information provided for public education. VFW Post 7824 does not investigate fraud or recover funds.
Sources: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, VA OIG, Federal Trade Commission, FBI IC3, Military Consumer, and Washington Attorney General.
Last reviewed: September 20, 2026
