Beware New VA Benefit Scam

I know that many veterans get frustrated with the delay of waiting for a decision form VA about their veterans disability benefits.  Often it takes many months or years to make sure that VA reaches the correct decision on your case.

Unfortunately, some scammers are trying to take advantage of this frustration that veterans experience.  Veterans who are taken advantage of by this scam risk their personal and financial information.  I wanted to publish this article to make sure that veterans know about this scam so they can avoid it.

Senior man in wheelchair disability medicare What is this new veterans benefits scam?

You have probably heard about email and phone scams that try to collect personal and financial information.  Email scams may indicate that your bank needs you to verify some information or needs some information to correct an error from your account.  Phone scams sometimes often take the same approach.

This new veterans benefits scam seems to take the same approach.  VA is reporting that veterans are receiving phone calls from people who say they are attorneys from VA’s Office of General Counsel.  These scammers request money in exchange for processing the veteran’s claim for VA benefits.

Given the long times that many veterans wait to get the benefits they should, it is easy to see why a call from someone impersonating VA is a scam that could work.  Apparently, these calls may very well show up as coming from “Veterans Affairs” on caller ID.

We want to make sure that scammers cannot take advantage of veterans who are waiting on a decision from VA.  Awareness of these scams is the best way to prevent scammers from taking advantage of veterans.

What should I do if I receive one of these scam phone calls?

VA has written an article that discusses these scams.  That article talks about what veterans should do if they receive one of the phone calls.

One of the most important things that VA mentions is that you should not give out personal or financial information.  They say you should hang up the phone immediately.  You can also report the incident to your state’s attorney general and file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission.

If you already received a phone call and provided personal or financial information to the scammer or sent them money, VA’s article also has information about what you should do in those situations.

Travis Studdard is an attorney who focuses on representing veterans in VA disability compensation claims.  He regularly writes about issues that are important to veterans and their families.

You can subscribe to his Veterans Disability channel on YouTube.

Rita BarnesRita Barnes
00:03 20 Jan 22
This is a great group of people who really care about your well being. They all treated me as though I was family and helped me with my work comp case in more ways than the average would have.Thank you Jason and Thank you Tina! For doing an awesome job.
Cortex ButlerCortex Butler
18:09 29 Dec 21
I am a Veteran of United States Air Force and was awarded my first 30% in 1996 and have been fighting for my rating for 26 years I came to Perkins and Studdard in 2019 while my mom was in a terrible incident and was given to much anesthesia and through GODS Grace she was spared her life, She is disabled since 2018 and I have been struggling with my life and issues and yet I didn’t call the law firm every 10 minutes or call being rude anytime, I mentioned this as I got to know Jessica more than just a phone call and Mr Studdard was always available when not working on other cases or in court, They always called back and Never had to do a call back, My Review is Simple in Life there peaks and valleys and it doesn’t stop because you have issues, Perkins & Studdard took my case in 2019 in 2021 I received my 100% from VA, I Was Never Rude, I was Never Promised Success, I Was Never Lied too and I was Always Treated with Respect, Friendliness, and Kindness the Real Stuff not a (Money Thing) If You want a firm that Cares about the Client and will work on your case even through a pandemic, Will not lie, will not promise anything will communicate your case and will Give you their Best ALWAYS THIS IS THE Best Law Firm for VETS HANDS DOWN Perkins and Studdard THERE IS NO OTHER 100% we had 5 calls Total Case That’s Taking Care Of Business
annetteMomma nokesannetteMomma nokes
14:29 12 Sep 16
Jason and his paralegal Lisa were on point and on top of their game when it came to handling my worker's comp. injury case. I tried going it alone and the insurance carrier pushed me around. They denied extra physical therapy. They denied injections the doctor recommended to ease my pain. When I turned my case over to Jason things turned around, QUICK. They were at all times attentive and on top of my case. I cannot recommend Jason and his staff enough. If you are hurt at work, this is the firm you want on YOUR side.
Sheila KirklinSheila Kirklin
23:11 12 May 16
Jason Perkins, was my lawyer in a workers comp. case, my case has settled now, and I am very happy for all Jason and his office hard work on my case, he was always there to help me out with any questions that I had or help I needed. Jason is a excellent lawyer and if I ever need another one I would only go to Perkins,Because I believe they would be able to help me in any situation I am in need of..
Anna PabonAnna Pabon
23:16 13 Sep 15
I recommend Perkins Law Firm. Everyone I came in contact with there was very nice. Kim was very helpful and any time I had a question she made sure I got an answer. Ann Margaret really took the time to explain things to me.
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