Why Scammers Target Veterans and How to Fight Back Scammers are exploiting public military records, such as the DD-214, and VA enrollment data to build detailed profiles on veterans. This information allows them to impersonate government agencies and conduct targeted fraud, resulting in significant financial losses for veterans. To combat this, veterans should actively remove their information from data broker sites and be vigilant against common scams like VA impersonation and fake benefit upgrade calls.

• Scammers target veterans by exploiting their accessible military records (like the DD-214) and VA enrollment data.
• Data brokers compile and sell veteran information, enabling scammers to create detailed profiles.
• Common scams include VA impersonation, fake benefits upgrades, pension-poaching schemes, and fraudulent GI Bill offers.
• Veterans reported $419 million in fraud losses in 2024, with a median loss of $700.
• The VA does not call veterans out of the blue to ask for personal or banking information.
• Veterans can protect themselves by removing their information from data broker sites and being wary of unsolicited offers.