Be Vigilant of PACT Act Scams

The recently signed  Sergeant First Class (SFC) Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act brings new opportunities for expanded health care and benefits to Veterans. Unfortunately, it is also an opportunity for fraudsters to take advantage of Veterans.

The PACT Act helps millions of Veterans and their survivors by:

• Extending VA health care eligibility for Veterans with toxic exposures and Veterans of the Vietnam, Gulf War and Post-9/11 eras
• Expanding benefits eligibility for Veterans exposed to toxic substances and their survivors

How to apply for PACT Act benefits

We want Veterans and survivors to apply now for their PACT Act-related benefits. You can learn more and sign up at www.va.gov/PACT, or call us at 1-800-MyVA411 (1-800-698-2411).

If you need help applying for benefits, VA, accredited representatives and Veteran Service Officers are always standing by and ready to help. There’s no cost for the forms, no fees to apply and VA will never charge Veterans for processing a claim.

With this new opportunity for benefits, scammers are out to take advantage.

Tips to avoid PACT Act scams

There’s been an increase in PACT Act-related phishing (email), vishing (phone), and social media scams targeting Veterans to access their PACT Act benefits or submit claims on their behalf.

Veterans should be cautious of anyone who guarantees a lucrative financial benefit or service. To report suspected fraudulent activity, please contact at vaoighotline@va.gov or call (800) 488-8244.

Protect yourself against new scams with these tips:

• Do not provide personal, benefits, medical or financial details online or over the phone. Federal agencies will not contact you unless you make a request.
• Do not click on online ads or engage with social media that seem suspicious.
• Check for “https://” at the start of website addresses.
• Enable multi-factor authentication on all accounts.
• Work with Veteran service providers you already know.
• Submit any suspected fraud to ftc.gov.

Visit the Cybercrime Support Network for additional resources to help Veterans, service members, and their families combat cybercrime.