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November 12-18, 2023, marks the observance of International Fraud Awareness Week (IFAW), an effort that promotes the impact of financial fraud through awareness and education.
Veterans have proven to be an irresistible target for fraudsters, online scammers, and con artists. These threats range from benefit payment redirection fraud and identity theft to fraudsters impersonating VA personnel in emails, texts, and even in person. Already this year, VA has investigated more than 12,500 referrals for potential benefits fraud and provided one-to-one support to 1,164 victims of payment redirection fraud.
Veteran fraud prevention resources
As part of a VA-wide effort to bring awareness to safeguarding Veteran information, the “VA Privacy Officers: Your Data Protection Partner” video introduces VA Privacy Officers as a Veterans’ key resource in protecting sensitive VA data.
More than 400 strong, Privacy Officers are located throughout the nation and are responsible for everything related to protecting Veteran Personally Identifiable Information (PII), including receiving and processing privacy complaints, monitoring facility compliance with privacy requirements, and promoting privacy training and awareness.
For additional VA privacy guidance and resources, check out the VA Privacy website, where Veterans will find information on how to:
- File a privacy complaint
- Report suspected identity theft
- Report VA healthcare and benefits fraud
- View VA policies on privacy
- Access and download information sheets on protecting your identity and privacy
- Learn from frequently asked privacy-related questions
VA’s Cybersecurity Spot provides a wealth of cybersecurity resources
Looking for a more hands-on approach to preventing fraud? VA maintains a wealth of cybersecurity and data protection resources and helpful tips on the VA Cybersecurity Spot website.
For example, following these simple tips can help keep bad actors out of your accounts and away from your financial information:
- Use credit cards and verified third-party payment services such as PayPal, ApplePay, and GooglePay, which offer additional security to your personal bank information
- Regularly check your online financial accounts for suspicious spending or other fraudulent activity, especially during holiday seasons
- Take advantage of text and email alerting services many banks and credit card companies offer
- Save vacation picture posts until you return home, so thieves don’t know you’re out of town
These are common best practices that can go a long way in giving you peace of mind. For the latest cybersecurity tips, visit and bookmark the VA Cybersecurity Spot website regularly.
Catching the fraudsters and restoring victims’ benefits
VA’s Benefits Delivery Protection and Remediation staff focuses on investigating allegations of benefits fraud, preventing benefits fraud perpetrated on Veterans, and restoring benefits when Veterans are victims of fraud.
When VA benefits fraud is reported or suspected, VA investigates the incident and initiates actions to protect benefits, report perpetrators, and restore losses as quickly as possible. VA works with the Office of Inspector General and other federal and state agencies to conduct their investigations.
VA is committed to bringing awareness to Veterans and their beneficiaries about trending fraud scams targeting their personal information and benefits to avoid becoming victims of fraudulent acts.
To learn more about the common forms of fraud, warning signs, preventative measures and reporting resources, visit the Protecting Veterans from fraud website.
If you miss a VA benefits payment, identify a discrepancy in payments, or find suspicious activity with your direct deposit account, contact the VA immediately at 1-800-827-1000.
Making every week a Veteran Fraud Awareness Week
Our nation’s Veterans have selflessly served us all; let’s repay that service by continuously learning more about how to protect their information and stop fraud in its tracks. Let’s make every week a Veteran Fraud Awareness Week.
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This page includes links to other websites outside our control and jurisdiction. VA is not responsible for the privacy practices or the content of non-VA Web sites. We encourage you to review the privacy policy or terms and conditions of those sites to fully understand what information is collected and how it is used.
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