VA overpayment scam alert targets veterans with fake text messages
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
As the nation honors veterans for their service, the Department of Veterans Affairs reminds the community to remain vigilant against a growing threat, the VA overpayment scam.
Reports show scammers are contacting veterans through text messages, emails and phone calls, posing as VA employees. They claim you have been overpaid on your benefits and need to send money or bank details to correct the problem.
These criminals often make their messages look official with VA logos, formal wording, and even fake caller IDs. Once they gain your trust, they demand prompt payment, hoping you take action before checking out. Staying informed and cautious is the best way to protect your benefits and your identity.
Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report
Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive offers straight to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide – free when you join my CyberGuy.com bulletin.
Scammers claim veterans were overpaid on their benefits by posing as VA employees. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
How to Spot a VA Overpayment Scam
Be on the lookout for these red flags:
- Messages requiring urgent payment, including by gift card, bank transfer or cryptocurrency.
- Requests for your VA username or password.
- Emails or SMS with links that do not lead to VA.gov.
- Caller ID spoofing displaying “VA” or “Debt Center” to look official.
- Messages or letters that lack of detailed explanations or account numbers.
If you spot any, don’t get involved; instead, check communication directly through VA.gov or by calling the official VA number.
HOW TO STOP Imposter Banking Scams Before They Empty Your Wallet
Legitimate VA communications always direct veterans to VA.gov or the official Debt Management Center. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
How Real VA Overpayments Work
When the VA determines an actual overpayment, it sends a formal letter explaining the amount and your options for recourse or establishing a payment plan. You will never be asked to pay via text message or third-party apps, and you will never be asked to share your login credentials or banking information outside of VA.gov.
Real VA reviews always direct you to official channels like VA.gov or the Debt Management Center (1-800-827-0648). If something goes wrong, this is probably the caseso always check before you act.
To protect your hard-earned VA benefits, stay vigilant and check messages through official channels. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Best Ways to Protect Yourself from VA Overpayment Scams
Stay ahead of the scammers by following these simple but powerful steps to protect your VA benefits.
1) Verify through your official VA.gov account
Whenever you receive a notice of an overpayment, log in directly to your VA.gov account instead of clicking a link or responding to a message. The site displays your current balance, payment status, and any actual debts.
2) Use official VA payment channels
If you discover a legitimate debt, process it only through official VA payment options. Call him Debt Management Center at 1-800-827-0648 or make payments through your secure VA.gov dashboard. Avoid sending funds via apps, wire transfers, or prepaid cards because the VA will never ask for them.
3) Never share your login information
Your VA ID and password are like the keys to your house. The VA will never ask for them, not by phone, by email, or by text message. Anyone who asks for them is a scammer. If you believe your credentials have been compromised, change your password immediately and enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) if available.
Consider using a password manager, which securely stores and generates complex passwords, reducing the risk of password reuse.
Next, check to see if your email has been exposed in past breaches. Our #1 choice for password manager includes a built-in breach scanner that checks to see if your email address or passwords have appeared in known leaks. If you discover a match, immediately change any reused passwords and secure those accounts with new, unique credentials.
Discover the Best Expert-Rated Password Managers of 2025 at CyberGuy.com.
NATIONAL PROGRAM HELPS SENIORS DETECT SCAMS as losses mount
4) Avoid suspicious links and attachments
Scammers often embed fake links in messages that appear real at first glance. Hover over a link before clicking to preview the URL; if it doesn’t start with “https://www.va.gov”, it’s wrong. Be equally careful with email attachments, as they can install malware designed to steal your personal data.
The best way to protect yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to install powerful antivirus software on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, protecting your personal information and digital assets.
Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS devices at CyberGuy.com.
5) Use a data deletion service
Data brokers often post your name, phone number and even your veteran status online, information that scammers use to target you. Personal data removal services can automatically request data deletion on hundreds of broker sites, reducing your exposure and chances of being targeted.
Although no service can guarantee the complete removal of your data from the Internet, a data deletion service is definitely a wise choice. They’re not cheap, and neither is your privacy. These services do all the work for you by actively monitoring and systematically deleting your personal information across hundreds of websites. This is what gives me peace of mind and has proven to be the most effective way to erase your personal data from the Internet. By limiting the information available, you reduce the risk of fraudsters cross-referencing data from breaches with information they might find on the dark web, making it harder for them to target you.
Check out my top picks for data deletion services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already available on the web by visiting CyberGuy.com.
Get a free analysis to find out if your personal information is already available on the web: CyberGuy.com.
6) Beware of unusual payment methods
Fraudsters love untraceable transactions. Any request to pay via gift card, Bitcoin, prepaid debit card, or bank transfer is an instant red flag. The VA does not and will not use these methods to collect payments.
7) Limit your exposure on social media
Scammers sometimes collect information from social media to make messages more personal. Review your friends and followers, tighten privacy settings and think twice before posting details about your military service or VA benefits.
8) Report any suspected fraud immediately
If you think someone has tried to scam you, contact VA directly at 1-800-827-1000. You can also report incidents to VSAFE.gov or call (833) 38V-SAFETY (833-388-7233). Prompt reporting helps protect other members of the veteran community.
Kurt’s Key Takeaways
This Veterans Day This is a time to reflect on service, sacrifice, and strength, and that includes protecting what you have earned. Scammers can be persistent, but staying vigilant and using official VA resources gives you the upper hand. Your benefits are more than money; they are recognition of your service. Protect them, remain skeptical of sudden messages, and check everything before acting.
How can tech companies and government better protect veterans online? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.
Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report
Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive offers straight to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide – free when you join my CyberGuy.com bulletin.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
