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Veterans Benefit Scams: Postcards, Pension Offers and Fees

Postcards about benefits, 'pension buyouts' and people charging to file VA claims. How scams target veterans and where to get free, accredited help.

By Nathan Fielder Checked against official sources

Published

Quick answer

Scams aimed at veterans include postcards about fake benefit programs, offers to buy future pension payments for a lump sum, and people who charge to file VA claims. Applying for VA benefits is free, and accredited Veterans Service Organization representatives help for free. Check offers with the VA directly before sharing information.

Veterans earned their benefits, and veterans scams try to take a cut. Some pretend to be the VA. Others say they’re “approved” by the VA and charge fees for help that’s free. Some offer quick cash in exchange for future benefit payments. Here’s how to recognize the most common schemes and where to get real, free help.

These scams are a kind of government impostor scam.

What scams target veterans?

Official warnings describe several:

  • Fake benefit programs by mail. Postcards promising extra monthly benefits through a program that doesn’t exist.
  • Pay-to-apply scams. The FTC says scammers pretend to be with the VA, or claim to be “approved” by it, and offer to help you apply for “missing” benefits, get a 100% disability rating or speed up your claim, for a fee.
  • Pension poaching. Dishonest “advisers” offer to move your money so you appear to qualify for benefits, or offer a lump sum for your future payments.
  • Look-alike groups. The FTC warns that the words “veterans” or “military families” in an organization’s name don’t mean it represents veterans’ interests. Some dishonest advisers use names, seals and logos that look like respected organizations.

Is a postcard about my benefits real?

Be very careful. In August 2026, the FTC warned about postcards telling veterans that they, or their spouse, may qualify for extra monthly benefits through a “Veterans Savings Program.” That program doesn’t exist. The postcards may list your state and mention real VA benefits like CHAMPVA or TRICARE For Life to seem real, and they urge you to call right away. The goal is to get your Social Security number or bank details.

EXAMPLE — SCAM
A fake benefits notice modeled on the postcard scam the FTC described This is a made-up example based on real scam reports. Never reply to, call, or tap links in messages like this.

The FTC’s advice: don’t respond. Legitimate VA communications won’t pressure you to respond immediately or give sensitive information over the phone. If you have questions, contact the VA using a number you know is real, such as the VA Benefits Hotline at 1-800-827-1000.

What is pension poaching?

“Pension poaching” is when dishonest advisers go after veterans’ pension or disability benefits. The FTC says they may call, email or show up at community centers, assisted living facilities or nursing homes. Common pitches:

  • “Let us move your money so you qualify.” The adviser rearranges your assets so you appear eligible for a benefit such as Aid and Attendance. The FTC warns that if the VA later finds you don’t qualify, you must pay back what you received. You might also lose other government benefits or tie up money you need. These advisers often charge fees from hundreds to thousands of dollars.
  • “We’ll buy your benefits.” A lump sum now in exchange for a large share of your future payments. The FTC says you won’t get all the money you would have received over time, which could leave you unable to pay your bills. A lump sum might also affect your taxes.
  • “We guarantee approval.” No one can guarantee you’ll get VA benefits. Even accredited representatives can’t.

Who can help with VA claims for free?

Applying is free. The FTC says the VA never charges you to apply for benefits. Whether you apply online or in person at a VA Regional Office, the VA will help you gather evidence for your initial claim for free. Blank forms are free to download, so don’t pay for them.

For help filling out paperwork, use a VA-accredited representative. The VA accredits three types:

  • Veterans Service Organization (VSO) representatives. The VA says their services on your benefit claims are always free.
  • Accredited attorneys and claims agents. The VA says they can charge fees only after it has decided your initial claim and has received a fee agreement signed by you and the attorney or agent. The FTC’s advice: never pay money upfront.

Check anyone who offers help against the VA’s accredited representative search on VA.gov before you share any information.

Where do veterans report scams?

  • The VA: VSAFE.gov or 1-833-38V-SAFE (1-833-388-7233).
  • The FTC: ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
  • Your state attorney general: find yours on our where to report a scam page.

For more scam warnings aimed at service members and veterans, the FTC runs MilitaryConsumer.gov. If you shared your Social Security number or bank details, see our steps for identity theft and our first-hour checklist after a scam. If the contact came by phone, see how to report a scam call.

Red flags: how to spot this scam

  1. A postcard or call says you may qualify for extra monthly benefits through a 'program' and urges you to call right away.
  2. Someone offers to help you apply for benefits, raise your disability rating or speed up a claim — for a fee.
  3. An 'adviser' offers a lump sum in exchange for part of your future pension or disability payments, or offers to move your money so you'll qualify.

What to do

  1. Don't respond to the postcard, call or message. Contact the VA yourself at 1-800-827-1000.
  2. Never pay to apply for VA benefits.
  3. Use the VA's accreditation search to confirm anyone helping you is accredited.
  4. Don't sign over future benefit payments for a lump sum without talking to someone you trust.
  5. Report VA benefit scams to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and the VA at VSAFE.gov or 1-833-38V-SAFE.

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Where to report it

Reporting helps investigators spot patterns and warn others — even if you did not lose money. Type these addresses yourself or use the links below; do not use links from a suspicious message.

  • Social Security Office of the Inspector General

    Calls, letters or messages from people pretending to be Social Security.

    oig.ssa.gov

  • Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA)

    Phone calls from people pretending to be the IRS.

    tigta.gov

  • IRS — report fake IRS emails and messages

    Emails and texts that pretend to come from the IRS or the Treasury.

    irs.gov

  • HHS Office of Inspector General

    Medicare and Medicaid fraud, including people asking for your Medicare number.

    oig.hhs.gov

  • Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

    Any scam, fraud or bad business practice — calls, texts, emails, websites and impostors.

    ReportFraud.ftc.gov

You can also report to your state attorney general. If you sent money, call your bank or card company right away using the number on the back of your card.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to pay someone to file a VA claim?

No. The FTC says the VA never charges you to apply for benefits, and accredited representatives and recognized Veterans Service Organizations won't charge you either. Some accredited attorneys and claims agents may charge fees, but generally only after the VA decides your initial claim.

How do I find an accredited representative?

Use the VA's accredited representative search on VA.gov. The VA says services from an accredited Veterans Service Organization representative are always free. Anyone who says they're 'approved' by the VA should be on that list.

Is a postcard about a 'Veterans Savings Program' real?

No. The FTC says the 'Veterans Savings Program' mentioned in these postcards doesn't exist. It's a scammer phishing for personal or financial information.

Where do veterans report scams?

Report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to the VA at VSAFE.gov or 1-833-38V-SAFE. You can also tell your state attorney general.

Sources

We rely on official government sources. Read how we check facts in our editorial policy.

  1. VA: New government-wide website and call center to protect veterans from fraud (VSAFE.gov, 1-833-38V-SAFE) (va.gov, accessed )
  2. FTC consumer alert: How to spot a postcard scam targeting veterans (Aug. 24, 2026) (consumer.ftc.gov, accessed )
  3. FTC consumer alert: Veterans — Don't pay to apply for VA benefits (July 27, 2026) (consumer.ftc.gov, accessed )
  4. FTC: Veterans Pension and Disability Benefits (consumer.ftc.gov, accessed )
  5. VA: Get help from a VA accredited representative or VSO (va.gov, accessed )
  6. VA: VA accredited representative FAQs (va.gov, accessed )
  7. MilitaryConsumer.gov (FTC) (militaryconsumer.gov, accessed )

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