Claim Recon/Tools/Fraud Protection

Fraud Protection

Recognize claim sharks. Report them.

Bad actors buy lists of recently separated veterans. They pitch percentage fees on initial claims, guarantees, and 'secret' benefits. Under federal law every one of those is a red flag.

Authority

§ 14.636

Fee rules

Initial claim fee

Always

OIG hotline

8244

1-800-488-

Reporting channels

Where to report fraud, abuse, or scam contacts

VA OIG

1-800-488-8244

Fraud, waste, or abuse in VA programs

FTC

reportfraud.ftc.gov

Report scam companies and predatory firms

OGC ACCREDITATION

Search the VA database

Verify any representative before signing POA

Scam patterns to recognize

Common patterns claim sharks use to extract money or POA

"Guaranteed" rating increases

Companies or individuals who promise a specific disability rating or guarantee an increase. No one can guarantee a VA decision.

RED FLAGS

Promises a specific rating percentage
Claims to have special influence with the VA
Money-back guarantee tied to rating outcome
Uses high-pressure sales tactics with urgency

Upfront fees for claim filing

Charging upfront fees to file VA disability claims. Accredited Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) provide this service for free.

RED FLAGS

Requires payment before filing your claim
Charges a percentage of your back pay or future benefits
Does not mention free VSO assistance as an alternative
Claims their paid service is the only way to file successfully

Unsolicited claim assistance offers

Unsolicited contact from companies offering to help with your VA claim, especially those targeting recently separated veterans.

RED FLAGS

Cold calls, texts, or social media messages offering help
Claims to have access to your VA records
Pressures you to sign a power of attorney immediately
Found your information through unofficial channels

"Secret" VA benefits

Claims about hidden or secret VA benefits that only they can help you access. All VA benefits are publicly documented.

RED FLAGS

Mentions benefits not found on VA.gov
Claims insider knowledge of undisclosed programs
Requires payment to learn about these "secret" benefits
Uses fear of missing out to pressure quick decisions

Fake VA websites or emails

Phishing attempts using websites or emails designed to look like official VA communications to steal personal information.

RED FLAGS

Email address does not end in @va.gov
Website URL is not on the va.gov domain
Asks for Social Security number or banking info via email
Contains urgent threats about losing benefits

Doctrine rules of thumb

Five rules. Each one is doctrine, not opinion.

Initial claims = free

Under 38 C.F.R. § 14.636, no one can charge you to file an initial claim. Period. Accredited fees only attach after a notice of disagreement on appeal, and they are capped.

Accreditation is verifiable

Every legitimate representative is in the VA Office of General Counsel accreditation database. If they are not on that list, they cannot legally represent you.

No guaranteed ratings

VA decisions are made by VA raters under 38 C.F.R. Part 4. No company, attorney, or VSO can guarantee a specific outcome. Anyone who promises one is selling something they cannot deliver.

VA does not cold-message

The VA will never ask for your personal information through email, text, or social media. If someone claiming to be the VA contacts you that way, it is fraud.

Unsolicited = red flag

Be cautious of anyone who contacts you first about your VA benefits — especially through social media, robocalls, or unsolicited texts. Bad actors buy lists of recently separated veterans.

Related Intel

Sources

Educational tool. If you have already paid fees to a non-accredited claims preparer, you may have grounds to recover them — contact your state attorney general's consumer protection office. Veteran-targeting fraud is also reportable to the FTC and VA OIG above.

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