California Attorney General Rob Bonta has issued a consumer alert ahead of Veterans Day, cautioning veterans and their families about scams targeting those seeking assistance with accessing benefits. The warning highlights fraudulent activities by individuals or companies, often called "claim sharks," who are not accredited by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). These entities promise expedited claims processing or guaranteed benefit increases but operate outside official VA regulations.
"On Veterans Day, and on all days, we recognize the significant sacrifices and contributions of veterans. As part of our efforts to protect those that have protected us, today’s consumer alert raises awareness on those who exploit veterans, especially veterans requiring assistance with their benefits claims," said Attorney General Rob Bonta. "I urge Californians to seek assistance from reliable and accredited channels to minimize the risk of falling victim to predatory practices."
CalVet Secretary Lindsey Sin stated, "CalVet, in partnership with California Attorney General Bonta’s office, work every day to ensure that our veterans and their families are protected from benefits scams and have the correct information about where to go for assistance." She emphasized ongoing efforts throughout the year to keep veterans informed and safeguarded.
Veterans in California can access free support for initial benefits claims through local county veteran service offices or other VA-accredited representatives. Accredited professionals undergo exams, background checks, and training mandated by the VA. Unaccredited representatives may offer poor-quality assistance at high costs or engage in outright fraud.
Common scams include home loan schemes where fraudsters pretend affiliation with government agencies or mortgage servicers to manipulate loan modifications or payments via untraceable methods like gift cards. Veterans should be cautious of unsolicited contacts asking for personal information or upfront fees before services are rendered.
Identity theft is another concern as scammers impersonate officials from the Department of Defense or VA. It's advised not to trust contact details provided by unknown requesters without verification through independent research.
Pension scams target older veterans with misleading advice on financial products that might jeopardize eligibility for certain benefits. Only the VA can award these benefits; thus it's recommended that interested parties seek help from County Veterans Service Offices.
Affinity fraud involves scammers posing as fellow service members using military-themed imagery to gain trust. Predatory schools use aggressive tactics under military education programs such as the GI Bill without providing essential program details like graduation rates.
Victims or targets of scams should report incidents immediately to local law enforcement and file complaints with relevant authorities including the Office of the Attorney General.
For more information on avoiding veteran-targeted scams, resources are available online through official channels.