Veterans and Their Families Are More Likely to Be Scammed
9/8/2026 11:00:00 AM
What happens when the people who served to protect us become targets themselves?
The AARP Fraud Watch Network reports that Veterans, active-duty service members and their families are nearly 40% more likely than civilians to lose money to frauds and scams.
Why Veterans Are Targeted
Kindahl Larson, Chief Compliance Officer with the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA), is responsible for the prevention and detection of fraud, waste and abuse of state funds, assets and inventories. After attending the annual Fraud Summit of the Twin Cities Chapter of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), she teamed up with Operation Shamrock and the AARP Fraud Fighters to help protect Minnesota’s Veterans.
“Veterans carry with them wounds – physical, mental and emotional – that make them highly vulnerable to the psychological tactics of scammers. We need to educate our Veterans, their caregivers, parents and children and our staff to help protect Veterans from fraud,” says Kindahl.
Scammers often pose as official U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) staff to scare Veterans, manipulating them into giving up personal information and bank accounts. They use phone numbers that are nearly identical to actual VA Hospital phone numbers. They target Veterans who are transitioning from military to civilian life, offering them fake jobs through employment scams. Scammers prey on Veterans experiencing loneliness and isolation, tricking them into believing they are in a romantic relationship. They exploit the pain and hardship so many Veterans are experiencing for financial gain.
According to figures from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) cited by Military.com, the U.S. military community reported losing at least $685 million to fraud in 2025. Sadly, the numbers are far greater because many who fall victim to a scam will not report it to authorities out of shame or embarrassment.
How to Spot a Scam: Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones
Unfortunately, recovering funds once a scam has taken place is difficult. Minnesota continues to address the problem through consumer-protection efforts and legislation.
The best defense is to recognize these common scams:
- Unexpected calls or messages, such as a text from a stranger who then starts a friendly conversation.
- Pressure to act now or you will go to jail or lose thousands of dollars.
- Requests for sensitive information including Social Security numbers or banking information.
- Demand for unusual payment methods such as gift cards or cryptocurrency.
- Promises of cash rebates for offers that seem too good to be true.
Here are some tips to fight these cons:
- Slow down and verify who is making the request.
- Refuse to act under pressure.
- Pause before clicking on a link.
- Do not respond to a suspected scam contact.
Support Vulnerable Veterans and Report Fraud
“There are no broken bones, bruises or band aids on victims of fraud,” Kindahl says. “It is emotionally and mentally devastating.” If you are a victim of fraud — or know someone who is — report it. Shame and stigma allow scammers to thrive, while isolation can increase the risk of exploitation. Staying connected, recognizing scam tactics and talking openly about fraud can help protect individuals and strengthen our communities.