Claim sharks
A company charges you to file or "boost" a VA disability claim. Some promise a faster decision or a guaranteed 100% rating. It is unlawful to charge a fee to prepare an initial claim. Only VA decides ratings.
Source: VA News
Protect your benefits
Scams and tricks aimed at veterans
Veterans, service members and their families reported losing $685 million to fraud in 2025. That is up from $583 million in 2024 (AARP, citing FTC data). Most of these scams follow a few patterns. Learn them and you can spot them.
Common tricks
Pension poaching
An "advisor" tells an older veteran to move assets into a trust or annuity to qualify for VA pension. This can cost you access to your own money. It can also make you ineligible for Medicaid.
Sources: VA Privacy Office, AARP
Benefit buyouts
Someone offers you a lump sum now in exchange for your future disability or pension checks. The payout is usually a small fraction of what you give up.
Source: U.S. Postal Inspection Service
"Secret" benefits and postcards
A postcard or call says you qualify for extra monthly money through a "Veterans Savings Program." That program does not exist. The goal is your Social Security number or bank details.
Source: FTC, Aug. 2026
Fake VA texts, calls and emails
A message says there is a problem with your benefits. It asks you to click a link or enter a code to "avoid delays." The link goes to a fake site that steals your login. VA will not ask for personal information by phone, text or email.
Sources: VA News, Oct. 2026, AARP
Payment redirect
A thief uses your personal information to take over your email or bank login. Then they send your VA payments to an account or prepaid card they control.
Source: VA Privacy Office
VA home loan tricks
Watch for mailers that look official, refinance offers that keep coming, and quotes that compare unlike costs. Be wary of anyone who wants fees up front or payment by money order or gift card. Walk away from anyone who tells you to stop paying your mortgage.
Sources: CFPB, CFPB, Aug. 2024
Fake veterans charities
A caller asks you to donate cash or a car "for veterans." Some groups like this spent nearly all donations on fundraisers and salaries. Look up any charity before you give.
Source: FTC, July 2018
Fake veteran discounts
Around Veterans Day, fake shops and social media giveaways offer "veteran only" deals. Some ask for personal information to verify your service. Others take your money and send nothing. Use the business's real website or go in person.
Paying for free records
Someone charges you for your service records or VA forms. Military records are free from the National Archives. VA forms are free on VA.gov or at your local veterans office.
Source: U.S. Postal Inspection Service
Pay-first appointment letters
A fake letter says you have a VA or community care appointment and asks you to pay up front. Do not pay. Call your VA facility using a number you know is real.
Romance scams
A new online friend builds trust fast. They often claim to be overseas, and they may use stolen photos of real service members. Then they ask for money, often by gift card, wire or crypto.
Source: VA Fraud Protection Kit
Businesses flagged by government agencies
This list names only businesses and people that a government agency or court took action against. Many cases ended in settlements with no admission of wrongdoing. A listing does not mean the business acts the same way today.
| Business or person | Agency and date | What happened |
|---|---|---|
| White Tanks Group LLC, doing business as VetLink Solutions, and its founders | Arizona Attorney General, May 2026 | $1.95 million consent judgment, including $1.2 million for veterans. The state said the company charged for VA claim help it was not accredited to give. The founders did not admit wrongdoing. (KJZZ, State AG News) |
| New Day Financial LLC (NewDay USA) | CFPB, Aug. 2024 | Ordered to pay a $2.25 million penalty. The CFPB found misleading cost comparisons on cash-out refinance loans to veterans. (CFPB) |
| Prime Choice Funding, Sovereign Lending Group, Go Direct Lenders, Hypotec, PHLoans.com, Service 1st Mortgage, Accelerate Mortgage, Clear Path Lending | CFPB, 2020 | Consent orders totaling more than $2.6 million over misleading VA refinance ads and mailers. (MBA Newslink) |
| University of Phoenix and Apollo Education Group | FTC, Dec. 2019 | $191 million settlement. The FTC alleged ads aimed at service members and veterans falsely claimed job partnerships with major employers. (FTC) |
| American Veterans Foundation and Paul Monville | FTC and Florida Attorney General, Mar. 2019 | Banned from fundraising. The FTC said 92% of donations paid for telemarketers and overhead. (FTC) |
| Travis Deloy Peterson, using names such as Veterans of America, Vehicles for Veterans LLC, Saving Our Soldiers, Act of Valor and Medal of Honor | FTC, 2018 to 2019 | Shut down for robocalls seeking car and boat donations for fake veterans charities. The FTC says it has not acted against other groups with similar names. (FTC) |
| Help the Vets, Inc. and Neil G. "Paul" Paulson Sr. | FTC and states, July 2018 | The FTC said 95% of donations went to fundraising, overhead and Paulson's pay. The group also used names like American Disabled Veterans Foundation. (FTC) |
| Mortgage Investors Corporation | FTC and U.S. Justice Department, June 2013 | $7.5 million civil penalty settlement. The FTC alleged Do Not Call violations, misleading loan terms and false claims of VA ties. (FTC) |
Before you pay anyone
- Never pay to file an initial VA claim.
- Get free help from a VA-accredited representative or your state veterans office. Check anyone with the VA accredited representative search.
- Do not sign a fee agreement with someone who will not sign VA Form 21-22 or 21-22a. Never sign a blank form.
- Hang up and call VA yourself at 800-827-1000.
- No real agency asks for payment by gift card, wire or crypto.
Sources: VA News, VA Fraud Protection Kit
Report a scam
- VA benefits scams: 833-38V-SAFE (833-388-7233), VSAFE.gov
- VA health care fraud: 866-842-4357
- All other scams: FTC, 877-382-4357, ReportFraud.ftc.gov
- Mortgage problems: CFPB, 855-411-2372
- Free scam help: AARP Fraud Watch Helpline, 877-908-3360
- Your state attorney general's office