What You Need to Know About the Scammers Targeting Veterans

While most Americans respect veterans, scammers do not care about your service to this country. Some even specifically target veterans with scams. The Military Times recently warned veterans, active service members, and their families about some of these scams. What can you do to protect yourself from these fraudsters? Can a VA disability lawyer in Washington help?

Advocates Want a “New Approach” to Take Down Scammers Who Target Veterans

The Military Times reports that advocates are asking the government to try a “new approach” when dealing with scammers who specifically target veterans. One notable voice is Rohit Chopra, former director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), who says that new laws are necessary to protect our troops and veterans.

An adequate response to this fraud hasn’t been easy because the CFPB has faced cuts with the arrival of the new administration. During 2024 alone, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) received over 200,000 complaints about fraud targeting troops and their families.

What Kind of Scams Do Veterans Face Today?

If you’re a veteran, what kind of scams do you need to watch out for? The Military Times mentions “job scams,” which frequently target spouses of soldiers who move frequently. Other possibilities include identity theft, crypto schemes, and false disability scams. Veterans can easily lose hundreds of thousands of dollars to these scams.

Scammers may attempt to impersonate VA officials when interacting with veterans. The goal is often “pension poaching.” Others encourage veterans to file fraudulent disability claims or pay fees in order to “speed up” their claims. Sometimes, scammers pose as fake charities designed to attract the sympathies of veterans.

The Statistics Are Worrying 

In 2025, ABC News ran a story on this topic and highlighted some of the most concerning statistics about veteran fraud. This includes the fact that 90% of all veterans have been targeted by some kind of scam in the past year. All of these scams were related to military service in some way, which means that scammers are trying to take advantage of military benefits. ABC News also revealed that scammers had successfully stolen $1.4 billion from veterans over the prior five years.

Can a VA Benefits Lawyer in Washington Help Me? 

Recent reports suggest that rampant fraud is occurring within various VA benefits programs in Seattle, Spokane, and Tacoma. These include the Veterans Affairs mortgage program and G.I. Bill. While these frauds might seem daunting, you don’t have to navigate VA benefits alone. Gustad Law Firm, PLLC serves veterans across Washington and the entire nation.

Sources:

 militarytimes.com/pay-benefits/mil-money/2026/01/27/rampant-attempts-to-defraud-troops-warrants-crack-down-advocates-say/?utm_source=sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=mil-ebb

abc7.com/post/data-shows-scammers-are-targeting-veterans-alarming-rate-going-benefits/16647906/

military.com/feature/2025/11/22/scams-targeting-veterans-how-fraudsters-exploit-service-and-trust.html