On behalf of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Privacy Service, thank you for attending the “Identity Theft Scams and How to Avoid Them” Speaker Series event on February 24, 2021. We hope you found the information presented to be insightful, meaningful, and thought provoking. Below is a list of helpful resources that may assist you in your daily efforts to protect Veterans’ and their families, as well as consumers’ privacy as a whole.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Contact VA Privacy Service with Questions: VAPrivacyCommunications@va.gov
VA Identity Theft Help Line: 1-855-578-5492 | Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. ET https://www.va.gov/IDENTITYTHEFT/
- New Year, Same Scams: Tips and Tricks from AARP to Fight Fraud in 2021: https://blogs.va.gov/VAntage/83191/new-year-same-scams-tips-tricks- aarp-fight-fraud-2021/
- Protecting Yourself Against Identity Theft and Fraud: https://benefits.va.gov/BENEFITS/factsheets/financial-literacy/ID-theft-fraud.pdf
- Fraud Avoidance for Veterans: https://benefits.va.gov/BENEFITS/docs/bwn-fraud-avoidance.pdf
Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
- Veterans and Imposter Scams: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2020/11/veterans-and-imposter-scams-0?utm_source=govdelivery
- Veterans, Servicemembers, and Fraud: By the Numbers: https://www. consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2019/11/veterans-servicemembers-and-fraud- numbers
- Stop Veteran Charity Scams (Video): https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/media/video-0163-stop-veteran-charity-scams-psa
- Avoiding and Reporting Scams: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/scam-alerts
- FTC information:
- Consumer Alerts: https://www.ftc.gov/stay-connected
- Report Scams or Questionable Claims: https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/
U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS)
- Most Common Scams Targeting Veterans, by State: https://www.uspis.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/most-common-scams- targeting-veterans-by-state-uspis.pdf
- Operation Protect Veterans: https://www.uspis.gov/veterans/
- Reporting a scam: https://www.uspis.gov/ or call 877-876-2455
- Email for free brochures: ismediainquiries@uspis.gov
- USPIS information:
- Website: https://www.uspis.gov/
- Facebook: @Postalinspectors
- Twitter: @USPISpressroom
- Instagram: @postalinspectors
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/USPISpressroom
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
- Fraud Prevention Resources: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/educator-tools/resources-for-older-adults/financial- education-placemats/
- Aid and Attendance Benefit Scams: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/blog/helping-prevent-scams-targeted-veterans/
AARP
- Scams Targeting Veterans: https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/info-2019/veterans.html
- Veterans, Military Spouses Top Targets of Employment Scams: https://www.aarp.org/home-family/voices/veterans/info-2020/military- families-employment-scams.html
- A Crackdown on Fake Charities Exploiting Veterans: https://www.aarp.org/podcasts/take-on-today/info-2018/take-on-today-podcast- episode-20.html
Other Resources
- Registering a telephone number with the National Do Not Call registery: https://www.donotcall.gov/
- Unemployment Benefits Finder: https://www.careeronestop.org/LocalHelp/UnemploymentBenefits/Find-Unemployment- Benefits.aspx?newsearch=true
- Report Identity Theft: https://www.identitytheft.gov/
