SERVING

Those That

SERVED

Scams

Scam Targeting Veterans and Active Duty Servicemembers

March 2, 2016

  

According to news outlet, WTNH, veterans and those currently serving continue to be preyed on by dishonest solicitors trying to make money off health care future benefits and pension payments.  Howard Schwartz of the Better Business Bureau said Monday that members of the military have been targets of many recent sales pitches. Schwartz said the solicitor will often offer a cash payment in exchange for a disabled veteran’s future benefits plan or pension payments.   

    

  

Don't Fall Victim to Promises of Outlandish Refunds

February 22, 2016

    

Scam artists routinely pose as tax preparers during tax time, luring veterans in by promising large federal tax refunds or refunds that most have never dreamed they were due in the first place.

  

Scam artists use flyers, advertisements, phony store fronts and even word of mouth to throw out a wide net for victims. They may even spread the word through community groups or churches where trust is high. Scammers frequently prey on people who do not have a filing requirement, such as low-income individuals, veterans or the elderly. They also prey on non-English speakers, who may or may not have a filing requirement.

  

   

  

   

   

   

   

  

  

  

      

New Scam Targeting Vets and Active Duty Troops

February 19, 2016 

   

If you owe money to a debtor, be very careful.  Scammers are using app technology to make their numbers appear as legitimate probate offices, and government agencies to deceive veterans and active duty troops.

   

The scamming operation appears to very sophisticated in nature.  Using the app, the scammers will contact you using a phony telephone number that appears on your caller ID and looks legitimate.  The scenario is constructed in a way that you are directed to call them back at the phony number.  Naturally, they answer as fictitious agency and give the  impression they are a legitimate agency doing busines as a debt collection company.

     

       

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

        

IRS Issues Scam Warning
February 9, 2016                   
 

The Internal Revenue Service today warned veteran taxpayers to be on the lookout for unscrupulous tax return preparers pushing inflated tax refund claims. This scam remains on the annual list of tax scams known as the "Dirty Dozen" for the 2016 filing season.

IRS Commissioner John Koskinen said, "Be wary of tax preparers that tout outlandish refunds based on VA benefits, federal benefits or tax credits you've never heard of or weren't eligible to claim in the past."

 

Veteran taxpayers are encouraged to choose preparers who file accurate returns.

  

Compiled annually, the "Dirty Dozen" lists a variety of common scams that taxpayers may encounter any time but many of these schemes peak during filing season as people prepare their returns or hire someone to help with their taxes

   

              

Top 3 Scams Targeting Veterans

According to the latest AARP Scam Survey in 2021, the following Top 3 scams target veterans:

     

1.  Benefit Buyouts: Turning over U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) pension and/or disability compensation for a supposed lump-sum payment that never materializes (47%).
2.  Fraudulent records scam: Paying for updated personal military records (32%).
3.  The fake charitable giving request: Donating to fake veteran charities (32%).