What is fraud?

Fraud is defined as the intentional act of deceiving or withholding information to gain an unfair advantage or benefit. Fraud is a concern for everyone however Veterans face a unique risk as scammers often target their benefits and personal information.

Fraud can come in many forms, including:

  • Phishing: A fraudulent practice where an imposter creates a fake online persona to deceive Veterans and their beneficiaries into providing their personally identifiable information (PII).
  • Spoofing: A caller disguises the information shown on caller ID, giving them the ability to impersonate a specific person from a certain location.
  • Wire Fraud: A scheme that consists of defrauding a victim of money or property through false representation or promises that are made through television, radio, or wire transmission.
  • Social Security Fraud: A type of fraud where imposters pose as officials specifically from the Social Security Administration (SSA). Using pressure and fear tactics, these fraudsters will coerce their victim into divulging sensitive PII such as Social Security numbers, to gain access to their social security benefits.

What are the four Ps of spotting fraud?

The Department of Social Security Administration (SSA) has identified four ways to spot a scam, known as the four Ps: Pretend, Problem, Pressure, Pay. Each P is a tool for Veterans to use as they learn to recognize scams and navigate the ever-increasing digital world that can pose a threat to their information.  

VA Privacy Service recommends becoming familiar with these four Ps in order to stay aware and prevent becoming a victim of fraud:

Number One Icon

PRETEND

Scammers will pretend to be from an organization that you know to gain your trust. These agents will impersonate representatives from familiar organizations like government agencies, charities, or financial institutions. They may use trusted organization names such as the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the Department of Social Security Administration (SSA), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), or Medicare, to gain your trust.

Number Two Icon

PROBLEM

Scammers will say there is a problem, fabricating issues, such as stating there is trouble with an authority like your local sheriff or a government agency, using this as their tactic to engage with you via phone or email. This problem is meant to intimidate you as the victim of their scam.

Number Three icon

PRESSURE

Scammers pressure you to act immediately, forcing you -the victim- to act swiftly. They might escalate this pressure if questioned, resorting to threats to insight fear, making statements that encourage urgency, and implying that the situation is dire.

Number Four icon

PAY

Scammers tell you to pay in very specific ways, like through gift cards, online transfers, or money orders. They will demand you to send payment through very specific means, even with drop-off location instructions. The payment may be requested in off increments that divide the total amount of money requested into smaller transactions.

What resources are available to learn more about fraud?

The four Ps of spotting fraud is one the many resources available to Veterans. As a Veteran, it’s important that you stay vigilant and protect your information from scammers. VA Privacy Service recommends you check out these resources to learn more about fraud prevention and reporting: