To serve in the military and the armed forces is a noble calling — but there are still people out there who will take advantage of veterans in need. There are individuals and organizations who will submit false disability claims for the money, there are scam artists that charge high fees to “help” with your disability claim, and there are fraudulent individuals that will attempt to scam older veterans in an effort to steal their pensions.

In addition to those fraud schemes and scams, veterans that rely on the advice of unaccredited claims consultants can submit falsified evidence and be held accountable for a fraudulent claim. VA Benefits Attorneys is here to help with a quick look at what veterans need to know about VA disability claims fraud.

5 Things Veterans Need to Know About Disability Claims Fraud

It is an unfortunate reality that there are individuals and organizations that will take advantage of veterans — but if veterans know what to look for and how to protect themselves, they can avoid these scams. Veterans need to be aware of two primary versions of disability scams — claims predators that overcharge for unaccredited advice and phishing scams where individuals impersonate the VA or other officials to steal information or benefits. The GUARD VA Benefits Act provides additional protection for veterans and works to hold these predators accountable.

Do not get taken advantage of by bad actors and take a closer look at our list of things that veterans need to know about disability claims fraud:

1. How To Identify Claim Sharks

A veteran disability claim shark or claim predator is an unaccredited individual or group that takes advantage of veterans who need help filing a disability claim or appealing a denied claim, charging high fees or providing poor legal advice.

Here are a few tips to help you recognize veteran disability claim sharks:

• They guarantee a 100% disability rating or a specific outcome for your claim.
• They charge fees to assist with filing an initial disability claim. This is illegal.
• They ask for higher fees than other accredited advisors, ask for fees upfront, OR ask for a percentage of back pay.
• They refer you to medical professionals to coach you on what to say or do when asked about service-connected injuries and symptoms.

2. How To Identify Theft Scams

Veterans who receive disability compensation or pension payments can be at risk of theft and imposter scams from bad actors. Veterans need to be aware of fake letters or emails that claim you have an overpayment of compensation or tell veterans they need to redirect payments. Be cautious of any emails, calls, or texts that ask for account information, passwords, or social security numbers, and avoid sites that are not related to VA.gov. Many veterans also need to be aware of scams that tell veterans to hide their pension or assets in trusts or annuities, which can get veterans in legal trouble.

3. How To Protect Against Disability Claim Fraud

Being aware of these scams is half the battle for veterans — but there are a few steps that veterans can take to protect themselves from fraud and theft.

• Use only VA-accredited agents, attorneys, or Veteran Service Organizations (VSO) representatives for help with your claim, and use the VA Office of General Counsel Accreditation Search Tool to verify resources.
• Review completed disability claims documents before signing, always keep copies, and never sign blank forms. 
• Protect your login information and never share passwords to VA.gov or eBenefits logins.
• Use reputable FREE services, like the resources provided by VSOs, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) groups, the American Legion, or Disabled American Veterans (DAV) organizations.

4. What To Do if There is Fraud

Veterans who fall victim to scams or fraud may be subject to significant consequences — making it even more important for veterans to be aware of scams. If a veteran knowingly participates in a scam or scheme, they can face loss of benefits, may have to repay compensation, or can face prison time. Veterans who are victims of a scam or fraud must understand that they are still responsible for the accuracy of their claim, even if they have been taken advantage of and may not have much legal recourse.

5. How To Report Suspected Disability Claims Fraud 

Have you been approached by a “veteran service organization” that wants to help you with your disability claim? Do you have questions or concerns about the individual or organization? There are four primary methods for veterans to report suspected disability claims fraud or scams:

• Contact the VA Benefits Hotline at 1-800-827-1000
• Report claims sharks at VSAFE.gov or call 1-833-38V-SAFE
• Report potential fraud to the Office of Inspector General at va.gov/oig/hotline
• File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

READ MORE: Are Veteran Disability Benefits Tax Free?

Fraud and scams that target veterans and their benefits have become more common in recent years — forcing many more veterans to take steps to protect themselves and their benefits. This list of What Veterans Need to Know About VA Disability Claims Fraud created by VA Benefits Attorneys will help you protect yourself.

Contact VA Benefits Attorneys today for help with your disability claim!