The U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and its partner AARP, are warning former and current military members about scams aimed at Veterans. Recently, as part of Operation Protect Veterans, we introduced some of the many ways swindlers and con artists target former and active military members. In this article, Postal Inspector, Marc Ewing, highlights two schemes in particular: the fake charitable giving request and the Veterans benefit or pension buyout.
Fraudulent charities
According to AARP’s Fraud Watch Network, bogus charities that claim to benefit Veterans are a proven strategy for scammers, especially when targeting patriotic older donors. Scammers often use names that sound like authentic organizations when soliciting contributions. The criminals behind these fake charities know Veterans share a bond of honor, and they use that bond to manipulate and defraud. One such scammer, convicted and currently under appeal, operated two fake charities, pocketing the donations his victims thought were going to Veterans. Then he stooped even lower and used the personal information on the checks to steal donors’ identities and take even more cash.
Whether you’re a Veteran (active or retired), a family member of a Veteran, or a civilian who simply appreciates what Veterans have done serving their country, keep your guard up when encountering solicitations for charities with the word “Veterans” in the organization’s name or mission statement. Before donating, verify the charity’s name and their reputation. Use sites such as the Wise Giving Alliance, operated by the Better Business Bureau, or Charity Navigator. You can also contact
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