Nearly two-thirds of veterans are unaware that they can receive free assistance with PACT Act benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
That’s according to a new AARP report.
The new law expands access to VA health care benefits for more than five million veterans from all eras who were exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances as a result of their military service. Survivors of deceased veterans are also eligible to receive these benefits.
Troy Broussard, U.S. Army Desert Shield veteran and senior advisor of AARP’s Veterans and Military Families Initiative, said one in 10 veterans approached by someone offering to assist with enrollment in these benefits say the offer guaranteed a lucrative payout, which is a telltale sign of a scam.
“Our nation’s veterans should not have to worry about being exploited by financial predators,” he said. “Scammers have a playbook to get us into a heightened emotional state that gets in the way of our ability to think logically. Knowing about these specific scams makes it far less likely that anyone will engage with them.”
Broussard said veterans, active duty service members and their families are targets of scammers due to a presumption of steady income and benefits, frequent moves and deployments and tight-knit culture that criminals can exploit to gain unwarranted trust.
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A 2021 AARP survey found that veterans/military adults are 40% more likely to lose money to scams and fraud than the civilian population. According to the Federal Trade Commission, these individuals reported losing more than $414 million in 2022, up from $140 million in 2021 (a 195% increase).
Broussard said AARP’s Fraud Watch Network offers tips on how to avoid scams. He stressed that veterans never have to pay for their earned benefits or service records. Veterans who receive a call or see an advertisement from an alleged law firm offering assistance with benefits claims should not assume that it is a trustworthy organization.
Broussard also urged veterans and their families to sign up for the National Do Not Call Registry and use a call-blocking service. Veterans should also never sign a blank form or agreement with an attorney or company without fully understanding what it is.
To learn about the latest scams and how to avoid them visit the AARP Veterans Fraud Center. To learn how to apply for PACT Act benefits, visit here.
Reach Julia LeDoux at Julia@connectingvets.com.
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