A government agency has warned veterans and their families about a mail scam involving official-looking postcards promising extra monthly benefits that do not exist.
Here's what to know
As AL.com reported, at the center of the warning is a mailer promoting something called the "Veterans Savings Program."
The FTC said the postcards are reaching veterans and their families across the country and falsely suggesting that some recipients can get additional monthly payments. The promise of money is only the lure.
According to the FTC, the mailer's true objective is to get people to call so scammers can obtain sensitive information, including Social Security numbers and bank account details.
Because they reference existing programs such as CHAMPVA and TRICARE For Life, the mailers can look as official as legitimate veterans benefits.
The scheme is designed to pressure recipients into acting fast by claiming there is a deadline and that the phony benefits could vanish.
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More background
This type of fraud targets people trying to navigate a complex and changing benefits system.
Scammers often exploit confusion around eligibility, shifting program names, and fear of missing out on support people may need. When a fake offer references real programs, recipients can easily assume it is a legitimate notice.
Veterans and family members who are older, living on fixed incomes, or helping manage a loved one's care may be especially vulnerable to these tactics.
A single phone call can lead to stolen account information, fraudulent applications, or the misuse of a Social Security number, all of which can take months or years to untangle.
Reports have come in from veterans nationwide, the FTC said, indicating that the postcard scheme appears to be more than an isolated incident.
What can be done?
The first step for anyone who receives one of these postcards is simple: do not call the number printed on it.
Veterans and their families should avoid sharing bank account information, Social Security numbers, or other personal details in response to unexpected mailers.
If an offer appears to involve VA-related benefits, it is safer to verify it through official government channels than through the contact information printed on a suspicious postcard.
The FTC said scams like this one, as well as others targeting veterans, can be reported at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Concerns can also be directed through VSAFE.gov or to the VA hotline at 1-833-38V-SAFE.
Despite its official-sounding name, the "Veterans Savings Program" is not a real benefit — it is a ruse to steal personal information that scammers can use to cause lasting harm.
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