INDIANA — The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has issued an urgent nationwide fraud alert warning Veterans, their families, and surviving spouses to look out for a deceptive direct-mail scam.
Fraudulent postcards are landing in mailboxes across the country advertising a completely fake initiative called the “Veterans Savings Program.” The cards claim that Veterans and their spouses are entitled to “extra VA benefits” or additional monthly payments, promising perks like up to $185 extra per month and free dental coverage, regardless of the Veteran’s official disability rating.
VA officials are making it clear: No such program exists.
“Do not fall for this tactic,” warns the VA. “The ‘Veterans Savings Program’ is entirely fraudulent, and these postcards are not sent or authorized by the Department of Veterans Affairs.”
How the Scam Works
Scammers are purchasing mailing lists from commercial data brokers to specifically target military households. To appear legitimate, the postcards frequently print the names of genuine federal programs—such as CHAMPVA or TRICARE For Life—and falsely claim a direct affiliation with the government.
The trap relies on high-pressure psychological tactics:
- Artificial Urgency: The postcards typically state that the recipient must call a toll-free number within a strict deadline—often just five days—or risk losing out on the benefits. MOAA
- The “Flattery” Trap: Once a Veteran calls the number, the operators are trained to use excessive praise and gratitude regarding the caller’s military service. This is a calculated grooming tactic used to build quick trust. The American Legion
- The Ultimate Goal: After lowering the victim’s guard, the scammer will aggressively attempt to extract sensitive, personal identifying information, including Social Security numbers, bank routing/account numbers, and VA file numbers, leaving the Veteran highly vulnerable to identity theft and financial fraud. VA News – VA.gov
5 Red Flags of Veteran-Targeted Scams
The VA notes that bad actors are constantly evolving their methods, but they generally rely on a predictable set of behaviors. Watch out for these common tactics:
| Scam Tactic | What It Looks Like |
|---|---|
| Unsolicited Mailings | Postcards, texts, or social media messages out of the blue claiming you qualify for new, unannounced cash benefits. |
| High-Pressure Deadlines | Demands that you act immediately or call within a small window of days to secure your eligibility. |
| Requests for Secure Credentials | Anyone asking for your VA.gov or ID.me usernames and passwords. The VA will never ask for your login credentials. |
| Unconventional Payment Demands | Requesting that you pay a “processing fee” or “back-tax” via untraceable methods like gift cards, wire transfers, crypto, or prepaid debit cards. |
| Predatory Claims Assistance | Unaccredited companies offering to “expedite” your VA disability rating increases for a heavy upfront percentage or flat cash fee. |
How to Protect Yourself and Your Family
The VA wants to remind the military community that the government does not notify Veterans of updated official benefits via unsolicited postcards.
If a “Veterans Savings Program” postcard—or any similar piece of high-pressure mail—arrives at your home, throw it away immediately. Do not call the number provided, do not visit any web links printed on the card, and do not reply to matching text messages.
If you ever have a question about the legitimacy of a communication regarding your military benefits, bypass the document entirely and verify it by contacting the VA directly using official channels:
- Official VA Benefits Line: Call 1-800-827-1000 or visit the secure online portal at VA.gov.
- 24/7 Information: Call 1-800-MyVA411 (1-800-698-2411). YouTube
- To Report Fraud: If you or a loved one has already interacted with this scam, file a report immediately with the federal government at VSAFE.gov or by calling the VSAFE hotline at 1-833-38V-SAFE.
