If a Postcard Promises "Extra VA Benefits," Do Not Call the Number on It
VA says scammers are mailing fake "Veterans Savings Program" postcards that promise extra benefits or payments, then pushing people to call and hand over private information. If you or your spouse receives one, treat it like a phishing attack on paper.
Veterans Affairs is warning about a new benefits scam aimed at Veterans and their families. The scheme uses official-looking postcards that claim you or your spouse qualify for "extra VA benefits" or added payments for programs like CHAMPVA, TRICARE, or dental coverage. The goal is not to help you. It is to get you to call a number controlled by scammers and then hand over personal information.
This matters for older adults because many families already juggle real paperwork tied to military service, health care, and survivor benefits. A fake postcard can feel believable, especially when it arrives by mail instead of text. VA says scammers may create urgency, flatter your service, or act as if a payment or benefit will disappear if you do not respond quickly.
What to do: do not call the number on the postcard, do not click any link it mentions, and do not share your Social Security number, bank details, or Medicare-style insurance information with someone who contacted you first. If you want to check whether something is real, call VA directly at 1-800-827-1000. If you suspect fraud or a payment issue, VA says you can also use VSAFE.gov or call 1-833-38V-SAFE.
The simple rule is this: a real benefit should still be real after you slow down and verify it yourself.
Source: VA News: Fraud alert about the "Veterans Savings Program" postcard scam