Better Business Bureau serving Canton Region and Greater West Virginia offers tips and advice for consumers to avoid fraudulent practices.
As a veteran, navigating government programs and benefits can be complicated. Scammers know this – and take full advantage of it. BBB.org/ScamTracker has received numerous reports of con artists who pretend to represent the government and target veterans with promises of special grants or other programs. If you or a family member is a veteran, stay alert to this common scam.
How the scam works
Scammers generally contact veterans via phone, email, or messaging apps like Facebook Messenger. They claim to be representing a special government program for veterans. This alleged program may be loan forgiveness, mortgage aid, or even a “grant” meant to pay living expenses.
No matter the offer, scammers typically use similar tactics. They claim that, as a veteran, you qualify for thousands of dollars of government aid, no strings attached. All you must do is pay a one-time processing fee, typically through a pre-paid debit card or digital wallet app, which is harder to trace.
If you pay the “processing fee,” scammers will likely come up with believable reasons for you to pay a second fee and a third, all so you can get an even larger “grant.” Unfortunately, the money does not exist, and you will lose anything you pay them forever.
Sometimes, scammers want your personal information in addition to your money. That way, they have everything they…
