Scams aimed at veterans are on the increase, according to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. So postal inspectors are teaming up with the AARP’s Fraud Watch Network in a new campaign called “Operation Protect Veterans.” Reporter David Haldane explains…
Are you a veteran who’s been targeted by scammers? According to recent surveys, an astounding 80 percent of American vets would answer that question in the affirmative, and at least 16 percent have, in fact, been defrauded.
Strat Maloma, with the AARP’s Fraud Watch Network, describes one common scheme in which callers offer veterans lump sums to buy out their future pension benefits. “They might find themselves in a difficult situation and therefore, might be tempted. They sign over their benefits, and they never receive any compensation for it.”
Other scams seek data that can be used to steal a victim’s identity. And sometimes victims are offered—for a fee and some personal information—access to job listings from companies supposedly looking to hire veterans.
In short, Maloma says, there’s lots to look out for. For more information go to aarp.org/ProtectVeterans.
