New York Attorney General Letitia James issued a consumer alert Tuesday warning military service members, veterans, and their families about scams targeting the military community ahead of Veterans Day.
The Office of the Attorney General also released an online guide to help New Yorkers identify fraudulent schemes, protect their personal information, and report suspected scams.
According to James, military personnel and veterans face increased risks because of their steady income, frequent relocations, and the challenges of navigating the Department of Veterans Affairs benefits system. Credit scores can also affect military security clearances and promotions, making service members vulnerable to financial scams.
“Military service members have made enormous sacrifices to protect New York and our country, and they deserve our support and respect,” James said. “From pension scams to predatory offers for assistance with VA benefits to phishing attacks, frauds targeting members of our military are increasingly common. I urge active service members and veterans to remain vigilant to protect themselves and report any suspected fraudsters to my office.”
The attorney general’s office identified several schemes targeting military personnel, including overpriced products marketed as exclusive military discounts, fraudulent VA benefits assistance, and pension scams promising immediate cash.
Other schemes involve criminals impersonating government officials or family members to obtain money or personal information. Romance scammers use dating websites and social media to establish relationships before requesting financial assistance.
Fraudulent charities also solicit donations under the guise of helping veterans, while credit monitoring scams target deployed service members by offering identity theft protection before using their information to open accounts or make unauthorized purchases.
To help military families avoid fraud, James introduced six precautions using the acronym PATROL: Protect personal information, Avoid unexpected communications, Test the legitimacy of benefits-related messages, Reject high-pressure sales tactics, Obtain and review credit reports, and Locate someone trustworthy before sharing information or sending money.
The attorney general’s office advises service members never to share their Defense Finance and Accounting Service myPay credentials, VA.gov login information, or other financial details. Veterans should also verify benefits-related communications through official government sources rather than responding directly to unsolicited messages.
James encouraged anyone who encounters suspected fraud targeting the military community to report it to her office.
New Yorkers can review the attorney general’s guide to military scams or contact the Office of the Attorney General’s complaint hotline at 1-800-771-7755.
