SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (Edited Press Release/KY3) – This Veterans Day, the Better Business Bureau is warning veterans that scammers can impersonate government programs.

Government programs and benefits are part of supporting America’s veterans and thanking them for their service, but they can be complicated and difficult to navigate. Scammers know this and take advantage of it.

Scammers often contact veterans by phone, email, or messaging app, claiming to represent a government program for veterans, such as loan forgiveness, mortgage assistance, or special grants. They ask the veteran to pay a “processing fee” and walk away with the money. They may also ask for confidential information such as a Social Security number.

Government phishing scams like these aren’t the only way scammers target veterans. BBB has discovered that Military spouses and veterans are more likely to experience job scams.. In 2022, military members, military spouses, and veterans reported to BBB who experienced greater median losses from scams ($238) than non-military consumers ($163).

“It is deeply disappointing that scammers are intentionally targeting military veterans who served our country,” said Michelle L. Corey, president and CEO of BBB St. Louis. “BBB thanks veterans for their service and urges them to stay informed about scams. Knowing the signs of a scam can help you spot it before it happens.”

How to avoid scams targeting veterans:

• Do your research first. No matter how good or official an offer seems, don’t accept anything right away without doing some research. Look for the program the person claims to represent. Read reviews on BBB.org or doing a general online search. Search for the government program along with the word “scam” to see if anyone has reported it as fraud. Look for official government websites such as //USA.gov/benefits and //USA.gov/military-assistance to check if the program exists.
• Don’t give in to pressure to register on the spot. Any real employee of the government or an aid program won’t care if you need some time to think things through and do some research. Scammers often pressure people to act immediately, claiming that if they need time to think about it, they will miss the opportunity. These high-pressure tactics are a red flag.
• Be wary of unsolicited offers. The government will generally contact you by mail, not by phone or email. They will not communicate with you through a messaging application or social media; If someone contacts you this way and claims to be in the government, it is a scam. Even if you receive a letter about a government program, be careful if you haven’t already requested information about it.
• Never prepay a loan or grant. The government will never ask you to do this. You should never pay for a free service for veterans, nor should you have to. pay a loan before receiving the money.
• Beware of mortgage scams. One of the ways scammers target veterans is by promising a special mortgage assistance program. If you receive an offer like this, from the government or not, do plenty of research before accepting anything.
• Never give personal information or money to a stranger. Be sure to deal with a trusted source before sharing personal information, especially your Social Security number. Never send money to someone you don’t know and trust.
• Report scams. If you think you have been scammed, report it to BBB Scam Tracker. Sharing your experience can help protect others. It’s hard to know what to do after a scam. BBB Scam Survival Toolkit can help you create a personalized recovery plan and provides guidance specifically for veterans and members of the military.

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