DBQs were developed as a specific means to collect the necessary medical information required to process Veterans disability claims. DBQs provide Veterans with a way to submit medical evidence from their private health care provider to support claims for disability benefits.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides necessary resources and education to protect Veterans from experiencing charity fraud. By raising awareness and offering guidance on how to identify and avoid these scams, we aim to ensure that Veterans can confidently support causes they care about without falling for deceitful tactics.

Protecting Our Elderly Veterans Against Fraud Have you or a loved one received a suspicious call from an organization claiming affiliation with the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA)? 160,270 The number of Veterans VA provides [...]

One of the most important investments you can make is your education. While your education benefits, such as the Post-9/11 GI Bill, can help you further your education and launch an exciting new career, verifying the information published by educational institutions is essential.  

A. Be cautious of companies claiming to contact you – Whether on behalf of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) or presenting themselves as having special affiliation with VA. B. Never give out PII via text [...]

Have you or a loved one been the victim of an online romance scam? Are you wondering how you can protect your data and safeguard your benefits?

Have you or a loved one been contacted by someone claiming affiliation with a government agency? Scammers often see older adults as easy targets due to their perceived vulnerability and trusting natures.

How to Report Contact VA: Calling is the fastest way for you to report the death of a Veteran, so VA knows to stop benefit payments. You can also report in person at a VA [...]

VBA IS COMMITTED TO DETERRING SCAMMERS Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) is proud to honor Veterans by actively working to identify growing fraud threats and trends. Veterans need to be aware of the criminals’ tactics and [...]

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 [...]

Social Media Today In today’s digital age, social media is a powerful tool for helping Veterans connect with friends and family, accessing information, and sharing experiences. For Veterans, social media can also provide a sense [...]

1. Use Strong and Unique Passwords Creating strong and unique passwords for each of your online accounts is essential for protecting your personal information. Try using a phrase that incorporates numbers and symbols. Example: I@m2Happy2ProtectMyD8ta! [...]

In today’s interconnected world, where digital interactions shape our daily routines, it’s undeniable that social media platforms play a significant role in both our personal and professional lives. As we connect with others on these platforms, it is crucial to prioritize the security of your personal information. This fact sheet outlines best practices to safeguard your private information effectively.

The Internet of Things (IoT) is the universe of internet-connected items. This includes your laptop, smartphone, wearables like smartwatches and virtual reality devices, as well as appliances, vehicles, cameras, gaming consoles, or anything else that you own that connects to the web. IoT devices are equipped with sensors, processing ability, and software that connect and exchange data with systems over the Internet.                                                                                                                 

Veterans, Service Members, and their families are continuously targeted by scammers. In 2021 alone, Veterans had an estimated $177 million stolen from them through scams and benefits fraud, according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). But why? Because Veterans and their families have access to special government resources and because of the monetary value associated with their benefits.

On August 10, President Biden signed the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act (PACT Act) into law. This law helps millions of Veterans and their survivors by: Tips [...]

Read each statement below and mark either “T” for true or “F” for false. Review the answer sheet to see if you are correct! Check You Privacy Knowledge – Answer Sheet

Review the answer sheet to see if you are correct! Answer Sheet

History of FIPPs The Fair Information Practice Principles (FIPPs) are a set of eight internationally accepted privacy principles which have provided the foundation for all privacy regulation during the last 50 years. First gaining momentum [...]

According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) they received more than 2.1 million fraud reports from consumers in 2020, with fraud costing consumers about $3.3 billion. One of the most common types of scams aimed [...]

In recent years there have been dramatic increases in identify theft and the misuse of personal information. The public is concerned about how its information is collected, used, and maintained. We at the Department of [...]

Privacy Starts at Home Teaching Your Kids About Online Safety Technology is ingrained in our society. Children are exposed to the Internet at increasingly early ages. Cyber space exposes kids to a vast array of [...]

This fact sheet provides online safety tips for children ages 9–13 to encourage responsible online behavior and is to be used in conjunction with parental supervision. Hello, Digital Buddies! The internet is a great way [...]

Veterans and their benefits are the targets of many types of fraud, to include mail, telephone, and online fraud. VA is actively working to prevent these incidents, but you are the best line of defense against this criminal activity.