How to avoid getting scammed as a senior veteran

As a veteran, you likely joined the military to serve your country, but the lifelong benefits that come with service are definitely an advantage. While the existence of these benefits isn’t a military secret, they change throughout your lifetime as your needs change as well. This means that as a veteran you can arrive at seniorhood without a clear picture of what is available. As a result, you may not receive all the benefits you could, or you may be vulnerable to scammers who prey on military families.

The Benefits

Some benefits, such as commissary privileges, disappear when you stop active duty but reappear upon retirement or disability. With age or disability come other services, such as Aid and Attendance, which may cover some costs for caregivers, nursing homes, and even long-term care. One benefit that improved recently is hearing aid coverage.

Military benefits can also cover illnesses or injuries related to your military service. You can apply for grants for service-caused mobility problems. Even veterans who become ill after service-related exposure to contaminants can apply for medical and disability coverage. Surviving spouses and dependents may even be eligible for tax-free payments of Dependency and Indemnity Compensation.

Disabled vets may qualify for life insurance and help with burial costs, including a free headstone or marker and burial flag. The Veteran Affairs (VA) just created a program that allows veterans to apply for burial benefits in advance, so veterans and their families can plan ahead. The first step, according to advocacy group www.veteran-aid.org, is to complete an Intent to File form covering the specific benefit you seek. Since it may take months for a claim to be approved, this allows any benefits to be paid retroactively.

The best thing vets can do is to assume they may be eligible for these resources and apply. Spouses and dependefromnts may qualify, too.

Watch for scammers

The military community is loyal to one another, which can lead to unwarranted trust when you believe you are dealing with another vet. Some of the more popular scams include “secret” VA benefits, benefits buyouts, and VA loan scams.

In benefit buyout scams, criminals posing as veterans contact you to offer cash in exchange for any future benefits you may be entitled to. They may claim you can get more benefits by investing with them. They may even offer you a contact phone number or website that's similar to an official one. Perhaps they offer medical services they claim are covered by the VA. But if they are reaching out to you without you first contacting them, it’s likely they’re not legitimate.

Benefit schemes aren’t the only scams. Anyone “phishing” for your personal records is up to no good. They may try to charge you for your records or ask you personal information that will allow them to access your records and benefits. Again, if you didn’t solicit the contact yourself from official sources, do not bite.

It’s difficult because they can be convincing. Scammers seem like exceedingly nice people and may offer you great deals on a car, a loan, or a place to live. They may even offer you a job, or encourage you to take college courses through the VA bill. Because there are many VA benefits, these may sound like something legitimate. But always double-check their information with official websites before giving out personal details.

How do you avoid falling prey to swindlers? Deal only with legitimate organizations.

Through their websites, you can find out—for no charge—which benefits you may qualify for and be guided in applying for them. If you’re not sure, take their name and contact information down so that you can get back to them when you are not feeling pressured.

Be Informed

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service and AARP recently created Operation Protect Veterans (OPV), a national campaign designed to support and educate veterans. OPV recommends learning about the popular scams so you don’t fall for them and quickly reporting it if you do fall victim to a scam.

Unfortunately, military families and veterans are twice as likely to become victims of scammers, according to a 2018 study by AARP. The best way to improve this statistic is to make veterans twice as likely to report scams.

Let’s put unscrupulous dealers out of business! Report suspicious phone calls, emails or mailings by calling 855-800-9023 or by sending a picture to [email protected].

Mesa County Veteran Resources

Veterans Organizations

American Legion, Post 2006, Fruita 640-7971

American Legion, Post 50, Palisade 260-3209

Base Camp 40, Warriors in the Wild 250-2858

Commemorative Air Force, Rocky Mountain Wing 256-0693

CHAMPS, Veterans Golden Age Games 245-6175

Disabled American Veterans 263-2848

Fleet Reserve Association, Colorado West Branch, 244 434-0868

Grand Valley Combined Honor Guard 243-0476

Military Officers Association of America 241-8714

Operation Interdependence 523-4217

The Vet Center 245-4156

VA Benefits 800-827-1000

VA Caregiver Support 855-260-3274

VA Eligibility and Enrollment 263-2813

VA Medical Center 242-0731

VA Mental Health 263-2824

VA Women Veterans Program 242-0731, ext. 2192

Veterans Memorial Cemetery 263-8986

Veteran Service Officer 248-2733

Veterans Art Center, Operation Revamp, Inc. 462-3126

Veterans Committee of the Western Slope 589-6238

Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 1247 242-9940

Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 3981 778-8242

Western Region One Source 257-3760

Western Slope Patriot Guard Riders 250-1174

Montrose-Delta Veteran Resources

Veterans Organizations

Delta County Veterans Services 874-2082

Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Van 240-4698

Montrose County Veteran Services Officer 249-2115

VA Benefits 800-827-1000

VA Caregiver Support 855-260-3274

VA Medical Center 242-0731

VA Montrose Clinic 249-7791

Welcome Home Alliance for Veterans 765-2210

Western Region One Source 257-3760

*See the BEACON's calendar for all veterans day events