SERVING
Those That
SERVED
Scams
Scam Targeting Veterans and Active Duty Servicemembers
March 2, 2016
According to news outlet, WTNH, veterans and those currently serving continue to be preyed on by dishonest solicitors trying to make money off health care future benefits and pension payments. Howard Schwartz of the Better Business Bureau said Monday that members of the military have been targets of many recent sales pitches. Schwartz said the solicitor will often offer a cash payment in exchange for a disabled veteran’s future benefits plan or pension payments.
Don't Fall Victim to Promises of Outlandish Refunds
February 22, 2016
Scam artists routinely pose as tax preparers during tax time, luring veterans in by promising large federal tax refunds or refunds that most have never dreamed they were due in the first place.
Scam artists use flyers, advertisements, phony store fronts and even word of mouth to throw out a wide net for victims. They may even spread the word through community groups or churches where trust is high. Scammers frequently prey on people who do not have a filing requirement, such as low-income individuals, veterans or the elderly. They also prey on non-English speakers, who may or may not have a filing requirement.
New Scam Targeting Vets and Active Duty Troops
February 19, 2016
If you owe money to a debtor, be very careful. Scammers are using app technology to make their numbers appear as legitimate probate offices, and government agencies to deceive veterans and active duty troops.
The scamming operation appears to very sophisticated in nature. Using the app, the scammers will contact you using a phony telephone number that appears on your caller ID and looks legitimate. The scenario is constructed in a way that you are directed to call them back at the phony number. Naturally, they answer as fictitious agency and give the impression they are a legitimate agency doing busines as a debt collection company.
IRS Issues Scam Warning
February 9, 2016
The Internal Revenue Service today warned veteran taxpayers to be on the lookout for unscrupulous tax return preparers pushing inflated tax refund claims. This scam remains on the annual list of tax scams known as the "Dirty Dozen" for the 2016 filing season.
IRS Commissioner John Koskinen said, "Be wary of tax preparers that tout outlandish refunds based on VA benefits, federal benefits or tax credits you've never heard of or weren't eligible to claim in the past."
Veteran taxpayers are encouraged to choose preparers who file accurate returns.
Compiled annually, the "Dirty Dozen" lists a variety of common scams that taxpayers may encounter any time but many of these schemes peak during filing season as people prepare their returns or hire someone to help with their taxes
Top 3 Scams Targeting Veterans
According to the latest AARP Scam Survey in 2021, the following Top 3 scams target veterans:
1. Benefit Buyouts: Turning over U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) pension and/or disability compensation for a supposed lump-sum payment that never materializes (47%).
2. Fraudulent records scam: Paying for updated personal military records (32%).
3. The fake charitable giving request: Donating to fake veteran charities (32%).
Two New Scams
November 12, 2024
1. Surprise packages: Recently, people have reported receiving unexpected packages in the mail that only contain a QR code inside. These codes are often accompanied by text stating, “Scan this code to see your gift!” Once scanned, scammers gain access to that person’s device and any information saved to the device.
2. Parking meter scams: QR codes to pay for parking have become a popular practice in cities to help people quickly pay for their parking spot. Scammers have recently started to put up false QR code parking signs as well as placing fraudulent QR code stickers over the official QR code. Unsuspecting people will scan these codes to try to pay for their parking online and unknowingly share access to their device as well as any financial information they input to “pay” for parking.
