Veterans and their families should be cautious about unexpected postcards, letters, emails, phone calls, and online advertisements promising “extra monthly veterans benefits.”
A recent scam has involved postcards claiming that veterans or their spouses may qualify for additional benefits through a supposed “Veterans Savings Program.” According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), this program does not exist and the postcards are designed to obtain personal or financial information.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has also warned veterans about fraudulent postcards claiming recipients are entitled to “extra VA benefits” or additional payments.
What Is the Fake Veterans Benefits Scam?
The fake veterans benefits scam is a type of impersonation and phishing scam.
A scammer may contact a veteran and claim that they have been selected for a special program or are entitled to additional monthly payments. The message may use legitimate-sounding government terminology to appear trustworthy.
Scammers may mention real VA benefits or services while directing victims to an unofficial phone number, website, or contact person.
The ultimate goal may be to obtain personal information, financial information, or money.
How the “Extra Monthly Benefits” Scam Works
The scam commonly follows several steps.
1. You receive an unexpected postcard or message
The communication may claim that you or your spouse qualify for additional veterans benefits.
It may include:
- A supposed program name
- A phone number
- A deadline
- Government-style wording
- Claims about additional monthly payments
The FTC says veterans around the country have reported receiving postcards making these types of claims.
2. You are encouraged to call
The postcard may instruct you to contact a representative to determine whether you qualify.
Instead of using an official VA contact channel, the message may provide a number controlled by the scammer.
3. The caller asks for information
A fraudulent representative may request sensitive information such as:
- Social Security number
- Date of birth
- Address
- Banking information
- VA-related information
- Other identifying details
This information could potentially be used for identity theft or other fraudulent activity.
4. You may be asked for money
Some benefit-related scams involve requests for an upfront payment, processing fee, membership fee, or other charge.
Be cautious if someone says you must pay money before you can receive a supposed VA benefit.
The Fake “Veterans Savings Program”
The “Veterans Savings Program” is an important warning sign.
The FTC reported in August 2026 that postcards using this name claimed veterans or their spouses could qualify for extra monthly benefits. The agency stated that the program does not exist and described the postcards as an attempt to obtain personal or financial information.
The VA had previously issued its own fraud alert about postcards claiming that veterans were entitled to “extra VA benefits” or additional payments.
If you receive one of these postcards, do not assume it is legitimate simply because it mentions veterans benefits.
Warning Signs of a Fake Veterans Benefits Offer
Watch for the following red flags.
Unexpected promises of extra money
Be cautious when an unsolicited message says you have been selected to receive additional monthly benefits.
Pressure to act quickly
A message that says you must call immediately or risk losing your benefits deserves additional scrutiny.
Requests for sensitive information
Do not provide sensitive personal or financial information to an unexpected caller simply because they claim to represent the VA.
Upfront payment requests
Be particularly careful if someone asks you to pay a fee before supposedly helping you obtain VA benefits.
Guaranteed benefits
Claims such as “guaranteed approval” or promises of a specific benefit amount can be warning signs.
Suspicious websites or phone numbers
A professional-looking website or a government-style logo does not automatically prove that a communication is official.
How to Verify a Veterans Benefits Offer
If you receive a suspicious benefits offer, do not use the phone number, email address, or website supplied in the message until you have independently verified it.
Instead, visit the official and look for information about
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