They Protected Us. NOW IT'S OUR TURN.

Veterans deserve many things: Praise. Honor. Security. Respect. Here’s what they don’t deserve: attempts to take advantage of their service. Yet every day, scammers attempt to swindle our veterans of their hard-earned benefits, steal their identity, take their life savings, and worse.

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According to an AARP survey, veterans are twice as likely to fall victim to scams as the population at large. Some scammers offer veterans the opportunity to refinance Veterans Affairs (VA) loans at extremely low rates. Others will pose as government agencies in order to access personal information, or offer lump sum payments up front, in exchange for signing over all their future monthly benefit checks. There have even been instances where scammers will create fake charities that target veterans or pretend to be old friends offering “sure thing” investments.

Why are veterans so susceptible to these particular scams?

For starters, veterans implicitly trust fellow members of the military, making them vulnerable to imposters claiming to be veterans themselves. Sometimes, because of their military experiences, veterans also find it more difficult to recognize and combat the emotional manipulation used by scam artists.

That’s why the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and AARP joined forces to create Operation Protect Veterans, and provide valuable information and resources that veterans, their loved ones, and their friends can use to help protect against scammers.

Together, we can fight back and take one small step to repay our veterans for the service they’ve given and the sacrifices they’ve made.

Download the Operation Protect Veterans brochure: English | Spanish

  • "Secret" Veteran Benefits Scam

    Veterans are told they qualify for “secret” government programs or benefits that offer thousands of dollars – but first, they attempt to collect personal information or a fee.

  • Fake Charitable Giving Request

    Scammers make fraudulent claims about charities benefitting wounded service members.

  • Benefits Buyout Offer

    Scammers take advantage of veterans in need by offering a quick upfront buyout – usually at a fraction of the value – of future disability or pension payments.

  • Veterans Affairs (VA) Loan Scams

    Scammers offer to refinance Veterans Affairs loans at extremely low rates.

  • Bogus Employment Scam

    Scammers post fake job descriptions to collect personal information from a veteran’s job application, or they charge an employment fee.

  • Fraudulent Records Offer

    Scammers try to charge veterans a fee to access military records or government forms—information that is actually available for free through the National Archives (for military records) and VA.gov or local Veterans Affairs offices (for forms).

  • Veterans Affairs (VA) Phishing Scam

    Scammers pose as Veterans Affairs employees to get access to personal information.

  • Update Your File Scam

    An imposter claiming to be from a government agency attempts to get a veteran’s personal information to “update their file” so they can maintain their benefits.

  • Aid and Attendance Scam

    Veterans (or their family members) receive an offer to move their assets into a living trust so that they can qualify for financial assisted-living benefits.

  • Veterans Choice Program Scam

    Scammers set up a phone number nearly identical to the number veterans dial to find out if they are eligible to use approved health care providers outside of the Veterans Affairs system. Veterans call the fake number and a message prompts them to leave their credit card information in return for a rebate. Make sure to dial the correct number for the VCP: 866-606-8198.

  • GI Bill Education Marketing Scam

    Scammers use deceptive marketing tactics and provide false information to push expensive for-profit educational institutions to veterans seeking to take advantage of the GI Bill for college courses.  The Veterans Affairs offers a comparison tool to help you locate a school and determine your benefits. Visit www.vets.gov/education/gi-bill.

  • Special Deals for Veterans Scam

    Scammers offer special discounts for veterans on a range of products, like loans and car purchases, but the products aren’t discounted at all, or they don’t actually exist.

  • Rental Scam

    A scammer posts a fake rental property on a classified ad website offering discounts for active duty military and veterans. Once they have your security deposit, you find out there is no rental property and your money is gone.

  • Romance/”Catfishing” Scams

    Scammers steal a veteran’s photo and create a phony profile on a dating site to “catfish” singles looking for love.

  • Most Common Scams Targeting Veterans, by State

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    Alaska

    1. Credit Card
    2. Charity
    3. VA Loan/Tech Support

    Alabama

    1. Credit Card
    2. Tech Support
    3. Charity

    Arkansas

    1. Credit Card
    2. IRS Tax
    3. Tech Support

    Arizona

    1. Credit Card
    2. Tech Support
    3. IRS Tax

    California

    1. Credit Card
    2. IRS Tax
    3. Tech Support

    Colorado

    1. Credit Card
    2. IRS Tax
    3. Tech Support

    Connecticut

    1. Credit Card
    2. Tech Support/IRS Tax
    3. Charity

    DC

    1. Credit Card/IRS Tax
    2. VA Loan/Tech Support
    3. Phishing/Charity

    Deleware

    1. Credit Card
    2. IRS Tax
    3. Tech Support

    Florida

    1. Credit Card
    2. IRS Tax
    3. Tech Support

    Georgia

    1. Credit Card
    2. IRS Tax
    3. Tech Support

    Hawaii

    1. Credit Card
    2. Tech Support
    3. IRS Tax

    Iowa

    1. Credit Card
    2. IRS Tax
    3. Charity

    Idaho

    1. Credit Card
    2. Tech Support
    3. IRS Tax/Charity

    Illinois

    1. Credit Card
    2. IRS Tax
    3. Tech Support

    Indiana

    1. Credit Card
    2. Tech Support
    3. IRS Tax

    Kansas

    1. Tech Support
    2. Credit Card
    3. IRS Tax/Charity

    Kentucky

    1. IRS Tax
    2. Credit Card
    3. Charity

    Louisiana

    1. Credit Card
    2. Tech Support
    3. IRS Tax

    Massachusetts

    1. Credit Card
    2. Tech Support
    3. Charity

    Maryland

    1. Credit Card
    2. Tech Support
    3. IRS Tax

    Maine

    1. Credit Card
    2. Tech Support/IRS Tax
    3. Charity/Other

    Michigan

    1. Credit Card
    2. IRS Tax
    3. Charity

    Minnesota

    1. Credit Card
    2. Tech Support
    3. IRS Tax

    Missouri

    1. Credit Card
    2. Tech Support
    3. IRS Tax

    Mississippi

    1. Tech Support
    2. Charity/Credit Card
    3. IRS Tax

    Montana

    1. Credit Card
    2. Tech Support
    3. IRS Tax

    North Carolina

    1. Credit Card
    2. Tech Support
    3. IRS Tax

    North Dakota

    1. Credit Card
    2. Tech Support
    3. Charity

    Nebraska

    1. Credit Card
    2. Tech Support
    3. IRS Tax/Charity

    New Hampshire

    1. Tech Support
    2. Credit Card
    3. IRS Tax

    New Jersey

    1. Credit Card
    2. Tech Support
    3. IRS Tax

    New Mexico

    1. Credit Card
    2. IRS Tax
    3. Tech Support

    Nevada

    1. Credit Card
    2. Tech Support
    3. IRS Tax

    New York

    1. Credit Card
    2. IRS Tax
    3. Tech Support

    Ohio

    1. Credit Card
    2. Tech Support
    3. IRS Tax

    Oklahoma

    1. Tech Support
    2. Credit Card
    3. IRS Tax

    Oregon

    1. Credit Card
    2. Tech Support
    3. IRS Tax

    Pennsylvania

    1. Credit Card
    2. IRS Tax
    3. Tech Support

    Puerto Rico

    1. Other
    2. Phishing/VA Loan
    3. Credit Card

    Rhode Island

    1. Credit Card
    2. IRS Tax/Charity
    3. Tech Support

    South Carolina

    1. Credit Card
    2. Tech Support
    3. IRS Tax

    South Dakota

    1. Credit Card
    2. IRS Tax
    3. Tech Support

    Tennessee

    1. Credit Card
    2. IRS Tax
    3. Tech Support

    Texas

    1. Credit Card
    2. IRS Tax
    3. Tech Support

    Utah

    1. Credit Card
    2. Tech Support
    3. Charity

    Virginia

    1. Credit Card
    2. IRS Tax
    3. Tech Support

    Vermont

    1. Tech Support
    2. Credit Card/Charity
    3. IRS Tax

    Washington

    1. Credit Card
    2. Tech Support
    3. IRS Tax

    Wisconsin

    1. Credit Card
    2. Tech Support
    3. IRS Tax

    West Virginia

    1. Credit Card
    2. Tech Support
    3. IRS Tax

    Wyoming

    1. Credit Card
    2. IRS Tax
    3. Charity/Phishing

    Unknown

    1. Credit Card
    2. Tech Support
    3. IRS Tax

Operation Protect Veterans

Operation Protect Veterans - Veterans Scam PSA

Thanks to all those veterans who have served to keep us safe and free. Help show your gratitude by becoming informed about scams targeting them and spreading the word.

Operation Protect Veterans - Veterans Scam PSA Transcript

Senate Special Committee On Aging – Operation Protect Veterans

Senate Special Committee On Aging - Operation Protect Veterans

Postal Inspector Carroll Harris testified before the Senate Special Committee about Operation Protect Veterans, and how the Inspection Service works hard every day to protect those who protected us. Here are the highlights of the testimony.

Senate Special Committee On Aging - Operation Protect Veterans Transcript

Target: Veterans

Target: Veterans

This veteran was lured into a scheme by trying to obtain government benefits. Watch to learn more about investment scams.

Target: Veterans Transcript

HELP PROTECT YOURSELF AND LOVED ONES FROM SCAMS TARGETING VETERANS

  • Don’t give personal information

     

    Don’t give any personal information over the phone. This includes bank account numbers, credit card numbers and your Social Security number.

     

  • Don’t send money

     

    Don’t send/wire money or gift cards to anyone you don’t know well.

     

  • Don’t feel pressured

     

    Don’t be pressured to act immediately. If you are dealing with a legitimate outfit, they won’t try to pressure you to act before having a chance to check it out and think about it. If they do, just say “no” and hang up.

     

  • Consult a friend

     

    Check out the offer with a trusted family member, friend or your local veteran’s affairs office before acting.

     

  • Check the security

     

    Verify any charity asking for money before sending it. There are several online services veterans can use, such as the Better Business Bureau, Charity Navigator, CharityWatch and GuideStar.

     

  • Do your homework

     

    Get credible information on how to qualify for veterans’ benefits by contacting your state veterans’ affairs agency. Visit www.nasdva.us, and click on “Links.”

     

HAVE YOU WITNESSED THIS SCAM?

Justice begins with you. If you’ve encountered any scams targeting veterans or have been a victim yourself and the U.S. Mail® has been used in any way, we want to help. Please report the crime.

REPORT NOW