10 Military and Veteran Scams to Watch Out For

1. Imposter Scams

In an imposter scam, a fraudster pretends to be someone else to persuade you into sharing personal information or sending them money. Military consumers submitted 53,439 imposter scam complaints to the FTC in 2025, making it the most common type of fraud within this community.

The imposter scam is a broad category that can involve different schemes, including the following.

Charity Scams

Charity scams aimed at military members will often pretend to raise money for wounded veterans or other military-related causes. They may call, email, direct message or ask for money in person using a name that sounds like a charity you recognize. These requests often come with vague or limited information and a sense of urgency to donate now.

Tip: You can verify legitimate charities at Charity Navigator or CharityWatch. If you want to support the organization, make a donation through the official website.

Government Official Scams

In this type of scam, someone attempts to sound legitimate by pretending to represent a government organization. For example, they may pose as a Department of Veterans Affairs employee and say they need your Social Security number to update your profile. But really, they're trying to steal your personal information.

Tip: Contact the government organization using a phone number or email address from the official website. For example, the VA has contact information for various topics.

Friend or Relative Scams

A scammer may call or text pretending to be a friend or relative who needs money right away. One example is the grandparent scam, where you get an urgent call from someone posing as your grandchild. They need money to get them out of trouble and may ask you to keep it quiet from other family members.

Tip: Before sending money, call your loved one directly to verify the request. Use a phone number you already know.

Romance Scams

A romance scam often starts with a fraudster assuming a fake identity and messaging you on a dating app or social media. If your profile mentions your military service, the scammer may pose as a fellow veteran or service member to earn your trust. They'll create a reason for why they need your financial help and then ghost you after getting what they need.

Tip: Don't send money or share account details with someone you've only met online. If you've already sent money, try to reverse the payment. Report the scammer's profile to the app or website.

Tech Support Scams

You may see an ad on your computer or receive an unsolicited message that says your computer is infected. However, when you respond or reach out to the "tech support" team, you'll actually be talking to scammers and be asked to pay to fix a nonexistent problem.

Scammers may be able to spoof the call or email, making it look like it's coming from a legitimate or well-known organization.

Tip: Don't respond to any unsolicited messages or open unexpected links or attachments. If you do answer a call, pay attention to red flags, such as pressure to stay on the phone and requests for passwords or codes. Reach out to your official IT department, run a scan with your security software or call a technician you trust.

2. Business and Job Opportunity Scams

Scammers may target veterans with fake job listings or ads promising to help them start a profitable business. Then, they may use your paperwork to collect personal information, ask you to pay upfront for supplies or training, or trick you into taking part in a fraudulent operation. In 2025, the median reported loss from these scams was $3,091 among military consumers who lost money.

Tip: If a recruiter contacts you, look up the employer's website yourself and confirm the opening before sharing personal information. Never pay to get a job, and search for the recruiter's name with keywords like "scam" or "complaint" before applying.

3. Exclusive Offer Scams

In an exclusive offer scam, a seller advertises a bogus deal designed for service members or veterans. When you try to claim the deal, it either doesn't exist or matches what any other person would pay. Or, the scammer may trick you into handing over money and will then disappear.

Tip: While some organizations do provide legitimate financial benefits to veterans, verify any offer before committing. Never send money to someone you don't know.

4. Home Loan Scams

You might receive a call, mailer or email message from someone who either claims to work with the government or VA or with their mortgage servicing company. The scammers may then falsely claim your home is at risk of foreclosure or try to convince you to modify or refinance your mortgage.

Depending on the scenario, you could be pressured into making a mortgage payment by money order or gift card, redirecting your mortgage payments to a new servicer or paying a fee to receive services. But all the money will wind up in the scammer's pocket.

Tip: If you're asked to pay for something with a gift card, cryptocurrency or money order (without an alternative option), it's likely a scam. If you need help with mortgage payments, reach out to the VA.

5. Insurance Scams

Some insurance agents may use high-pressure or deceptive sales tactics when pitching to service members and veterans. They may, for instance, use a military connection to earn your trust, pressure you to buy a policy you don't need or lie about what you're buying.

Tip: If you want to buy insurance, check legitimate sources such as the relatively low-cost Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance. End the conversation if a salesperson makes you feel uncomfortable or won't give you space to do your own research.

6. Rental Scams

If you're searching for a home near your new duty station, scammers may lure you with a great home at a price way below similar rentals. It's likely a rental scam if they make excuses for why you can't tour the property and pressure you into paying a deposit, especially if the payment is with gift cards, cryptocurrency or a wire transfer service. Once you pay, they disappear. The home may not exist or may belong to someone else.

Tip: Search the address online to see whether it appears under a different landlord or price. Before paying, tour the home or ask someone you trust to visit it. Your new base's housing referral office can also help you check rental options.

7. Upfront Fee Scams

Upfront fee scams involve someone asking for payment before you receive the product or service, and they come in a variety of forms. Some scammers will try to get you to pay a fee to get copies of your military records, when in reality you can request most service records for free online. Or, they may promise to help you file a claim or secure more benefits, but only if you pay them first.

Other scammers offer you a guaranteed personal loan, credit card or auto loan approvals. These can be outright scams when you're asked to pay an upfront fee and get nothing in return.

Tip: Be cautious if someone asks you to pay before delivering a promised benefit, service or financial opportunity. Verify the offer independently, get the terms in writing and resist pressure to pay right away.

8. Pension Poaching Scams

Pension poaching is a scam that targets veterans and surviving family members who may qualify for VA pension benefits. The scammer tries to lure a veteran into forwarding their pension money in exchange for instant cash. For example, someone posing as an adviser may suggest moving your savings into a trust. The scammer earns fees or commissions, while you could lose access to your savings, become ineligible for benefits or have to repay benefits you received.

Tip: Before moving money or buying a financial product to qualify for benefits, get help from a VA-accredited representative. Representatives from VA-recognized veterans service organizations can help with pension claims for free.

9. Investment Scams

Investment scammers may pose as fellow veterans or promote opportunities supposedly available only to military members. They might promise high returns with little risk, claim an investment will unlock extra VA benefits or pressure you to act before the offer expires. The pitch could involve cryptocurrency, real estate or precious metals that are overpriced or don't exist.

Tip: Ask for details in writing and discuss the offer with someone you trust before sending money. Check an investment professional's registration and background through Investor.gov.

10. Benefits Payment Redirection Scams

In a benefits payment redirection scam, someone steals your personal information or account credentials and changes where your VA benefits are deposited. The scammer might get your information through a fake email, a fraudulent website or another scheme. They then redirect your payments to an account they control, leaving you without money you depend on.

Tip: Use a strong password and multifactor authentication for your benefits account, and never give your private information to someone you don't know. Review notices about changes to your direct deposit information, and contact the VA immediately if you didn't authorize a change or a payment goes missing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Bottom Line

Taking time to verify an offer or request before sharing money or personal information can help you avoid military and veteran scams. If you suspect fraud, act quickly to secure your accounts and report it.

Checking your credit report for unfamiliar accounts or credit inquiries can also help you spot signs of identity theft. With Experian, you can check your credit report and credit scores for free to watch for changes that may need a closer look.