WARNINGConsumer alert, published November 9, 2026
New York Attorney General Letitia James has warned military service members and veterans about scams that target their benefits and personal information. Her office issued the warning in a press release ahead of Veterans Day 2026. It covers fake help with VA claims, benefit and pension fraud, and identity theft, and it matters to anyone who has served and to the family members who help them with paperwork.
What is happening
The New York State Attorney General’s office released a warning titled “Attorney General James Warns New Yorkers of Scams Targeting Military Service Members and Veterans.” The office timed it to come ahead of Veterans Day, which is observed on November 11 each year.
The message is direct. People who served often have earned benefits, and some receive monthly payments. That makes them a target. According to the Attorney General’s press release, scammers try to get between veterans and the benefits they are owed. Some charge money. Some collect personal information and misuse it. Some say they offer services they do not provide.
The warning does not say how many people have been hit or how much money has been lost. It does not name any person or company. It is a general alert about the kinds of schemes the office wants veterans to watch for.
What the warning covers
The Attorney General’s office describes three main kinds of scams.
Fake help with VA claims. Filing for VA benefits can feel slow and complicated. Scammers use that frustration. According to the press release, they may offer to help with a VA benefits claim and charge a fee for it. Others misrepresent their services, which means they claim to be something they are not or promise results they cannot deliver.
Benefit and pension fraud. The warning names benefits and pension fraud as a separate concern. These schemes go after the money a veteran already receives or expects to receive. The press release does not lay out a single script, but the common thread is someone using a veteran’s benefits as a way in.
Identity theft. Any of these schemes can end with someone holding your personal information. The Attorney General’s office cautions that scammers may misuse it. With your details, a thief may try to open accounts in your name or reach money that belongs to you.
These scams can overlap. An offer of claims help can be a way to collect your Social Security number, your bank details or your military records. Even if you never pay a fee, handing over that information can cost you later.
How to spot it
The Attorney General’s office lists the warning signs. Slow down if you see any of these:
- An offer you did not ask for. Someone reaches out first to offer help with your VA claim, benefits or pension.
- A request for personal or financial information. The person asks for your Social Security number, bank account, benefit details or other private data.
- A demand for payment. Someone wants money to help you get or access your VA benefits.
- Big promises. The person describes services or results that sound better than what a claims process normally offers. The warning cautions that scammers misrepresent what they do.
- Pressure to act quickly. A push to decide now gives you less time to check who you are dealing with.
If an offer checks more than one of these boxes, stop and verify before you share anything. Look up contact information for the VA yourself rather than using any number, link or address the caller or sender gives you.
Your benefits are not for sale
The Attorney General’s office warns veterans to be wary of anyone demanding payment to help obtain or access VA benefits. If someone wants money up front, or wants your personal details before they will help, treat it as a red flag. Talk to a lawyer or a trusted nonprofit before paying anyone for benefits help.
If you were targeted
- Stop all contact with the person or business. Do not send more money or more information.
- If you shared bank or card details, call your bank or card issuer using the number on the back of your card. Ask them to watch for or block suspicious charges.
- If you shared your Social Security number or other personal details, consider freezing your credit with the three national credit bureaus so no one can open new accounts in your name.
- Keep records. Save messages, receipts, names and dates connected to the offer.
- Report it to the New York Attorney General’s office through its consumer complaint channel, as the warning directs.
- If someone used your information to open accounts or file claims, report the identity theft at IdentityTheft.gov.
How to report it
The Attorney General’s press release directs anyone who believes they have been targeted to contact the New York Attorney General’s office and file through its consumer complaint channel. Reporting helps the office track these schemes, even if you did not lose money.
You can also report scams to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. If someone has used your personal information, report it at IdentityTheft.gov to get a recovery plan.
If you live outside New York, contact your own state attorney general’s consumer protection office. If money left your account, call your bank or card issuer using the number on the back of your card.
Family members can help here. Many veterans rely on a spouse, an adult child or a caregiver to handle mail, calls and paperwork. If you help a veteran with benefits, share these warning signs with them. A quick check together before anyone pays or hands over information can stop a scam before it starts.
If you are unsure whether an offer of claims help is real, or you think you may have lost money, talk to a lawyer or a nonprofit before you take further steps.
Check, verify or complain
Sources
Leah writes US Financer's Consumer Alerts: scam warnings and money rule changes issued by federal agencies, state attorneys general, regulators and courts. Each alert starts from the official notice, says what is confirmed and what is not known yet, and lists the agency's own page…
Ruth is US Financer's standards editor. Every article goes through her checks before and after it is published: each rate, fee, cap, deadline and rule is matched against its primary source, every law named is linked to its official text, and anything that cannot be…
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