With a variety of VA Advantages, Vets should be alert to scammers providing unsolicited assist after which bilking the Vets out of their life financial savings
ATLANTA — Each day, hundreds of Georgia veterans attain out to the VA for his or her advantages. The issue is – a military of scammers is attempting to prey on them.
Former U.S. Marine Fighter Pilot, Capt. Harry Brooks is one among about 678,000 veterans who name Georgia dwelling.
Brooks flew the F-4 Phantom Fighter throughout his 5 years of lively responsibility. Later in life, when he obtained sick, he pursued VA advantages for assist regardless of different folks’s phrases of warning.
“I hear folks on a regular basis, ‘You shouldn’t go to the VA’… ‘I’m not going to the VA’ -they simply provide the runaround. That is not what I came upon,” Brooks stated.
Nevertheless, it’s the frustration and confusion about navigating the VA System that may depart Vets weak to scams.
Angela Seelhammer, the Assistant Director of VA Advantages in Atlanta, is aware of.
“I’d watch out of anyone that may name you unsolicited or appears over keen that can assist you. They’re those it’s best to be careful for,” Seelhammer emphasised.
She says scammers often attain out to Vets by telephone and e mail, claiming to signify the VA.
“They could pose as a useful individual simply to assist navigate the claims course of or they could promise a sure choice perhaps,” she added.
As a veteran myself, I understand how vital VA advantages could be, however sadly, so do the scammers. For those who ought to encounter a scammer, there are locations you may go immediately to attempt to put a cease to it.
How you can report VA scams
You’ll be able to report scams on VSAFE.GOV or by calling the VA Fraud Hotline at 1-833-388-7233.
For those who need assistance making use of for VA advantages, you may get free help on the native American Legion, Veterans of Overseas Wars, and Disabled American Veterans Chapters.
You may also attain out to totally accredited VA Representatives for a price.
“It’s price it,” Brooks added.
Working with licensed VA Workers, Brooks obtained assist with dental and medical care, listening to aids and prescriptions.
“You must persevere. Typically, you’ll hold on the telephone for some time, so get the newspaper out and dial the quantity and simply wait,” Brooks stated.
Brooks stated endurance is the perfect recommendation he can supply. He says it is going to actually repay.
Useful hyperlinks for veterans
For extra details about the Digital Veterans Declare Clinic and the right way to schedule an appointment on the VA Regional Workplace in Decatur, click on right here. You may also discover help with the Advantages Claims Course of on-line right here.
When you have reached a dead-end in attempting to resolve points that have an effect on you, your loved ones or your metro Atlanta neighborhood, we could possibly help or offer you beneficial steering. Electronic mail 11Alive’s Invoice Liss at 11AliveHelpDesk@11alive.com.
