Top Scams Targeting Veterans

• Bogus sales – A scammer claiming to be a deploying service member posts a large ticket item on a classified ad website that he needs to sell right away and at a steep discount. The scammer asks for upfront payment with a wire transfer or gift cards.
• Real estate rip-off – A scammer posts a fake rental property on a classified ad website offering military discounts. You just need to wire transfer a security deposit to the landlord.
• VA phishing – A caller claiming to be from the Department of Veterans Affairs calls to "update" your information.
• Fake charities – Fake charities use names that are close to the names of legitimate charities, often referencing Armed Forces, veterans, or military families.
• Benefits buyout scam – Scammers will target veterans in need of money by offering cash in exchange for their future disability or pension payments. These buyouts are typically a fraction of the value of the benefit.
• Dubious investment advice – An “adviser” will tell the veteran she is missing out on benefits, and wants to review her investment portfolio. He’ll then want to put the veteran’s investments in a trust, to appear to have fewer assets and to therefore be eligible for an additional pension.

Here’s how to avoid falling for scams like these:

• Be suspicious anytime you are asked to pay by wire transfer or gift cards.
• Know that the VA will never call, text or e-mail you to update your information.
• Check out the charity on www.give.org or www.charitynavigator.org before giving any money. Make donations directly to the veterans’ organizations you know.
• Only work with VA-accredited representatives when dealing with VA benefits; you can search for them online at the VA Office of General Counsel website.