Exploiting Our Finest: 10 Scams That Target Veterans

Identity thieves sometimes notify you that your information has been exposed to a data breach.

Thieves pretending to be from the health care program Tricare sometimes contact beneficiaries and offer them services. It’s another trick to steal personal or financial data.  

4. Rental and moving scam

You’re moving and you’re looking for apartments online. You find a place that has discounted rent — just for veterans. Be sure to have your scammer radar up. Don’t send money if you haven’t seen a contract. You can also protect yourself by verifying property ownership online. This scam works because some landlords really do take pride in serving veterans. Sometimes, a cheap moving deal will be offered — you pay, then your household items don’t arrive.

5. Fake military charities

Bogus military charities steal your money — and indirectly steal from real military charities. One option is to stick with established charities. If you want to donate to a newer charity, do some homework, such as searching online for the charity’s name plus the word “scam” or “complaint,” to see if there are previous complaints. Watch out for charities that pressure you to donate right away or claim you can win a prize if you donate, which is illegal.

6. Free records scam

A scammer might try to charge for access to records such as your DD Form 214. These services are free by law. A quick online search should lead you to an official government site for whatever records you’re looking for.

7. Online romance or business scams

You meet someone on a dating site or via social media. This person is charming and very interested in you. He or she might use a made-up military connection to lower your guard, and then suggest you move to another platform to talk more intimately. But you never meet in person. The individual starts asking for money, and soon the requests become relentless demands.

There are phony vet groups on social media. If they’re not your real-life friend and they’re offering you investment advice or have some other brilliant way to make you rich, you should probably run.

8. Special deals for vets

This scam works in two ways. One is that a person poses as a member of the military about to be deployed. They need to sell their car or something else and offer a great deal. You send payment electronically — but the product never appears. The other is that you stumble onto a site that promises an amazing price for veterans. Again, you send money but get nothing in return.

Never, ever send money to someone whose identity cannot be verified.

9. Employment scams

You’re looking for work and find a job listing that is specifically targeted to veterans. It pays well, and you’re qualified. As part of submitting your application, you need to send your personal information or, especially troubling, credit card or bank details

Make sure you’re working with a real company. And remember that if it’s too good to be true ... it’s not true.

10. G.I. Bill education marketing scam

Scammers exploit veterans seeking to take advantage of the G.I. Bill for college courses by using deceptive marketing tactics and false information to encourage them to attend expensive for-profit educational institutions. The VA offers a comparison tool to help you locate the right school and determine your benefits.

Ben Nussbaum is a writer, editor and publisher based in northern Virginia. He was formerly head of Special Projects at USA Today and has overseen publication of numerous books, from technical manuals to children's stories.

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