Be on the lookout for scams targeting Veterans: Military Family/VA/Medicare Records Update:

Be on the lookout for scams targeting Veterans: Military Family/VA/Medicare Records Update:

The scammers are contacting veterans claiming to be from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and claim to be reaching out to veterans to update their records with the VA.

· The scammers claim it is a new policy of the VA to reach out to veterans via telephone, thus, making the VA a more user-friendly organization. The goal of the scam is to get a veterans’ social security number.

· The scammers gradually work at getting a veteran’s social security number, credit information or both by first asking “soft questions.” The scammers first gather “soft information” by verifying the veterans current address, military branch, and working status.

· After gathering the “soft information,” the scammers will ask for a veteran’ social security number or credit card information or both.

· If the first attempt fails, the scammers attempt to build rapport with the veteran by getting them comfortable. The phrase used by the scammers for this is: “Get them to laugh", and they will lay down.”

Keep in mind, any veteran receiving a call from these scammers must remember, the VA most likely already has all of the information the scammers are seeking with the exception of credit card information.