Attorney General Warns of Military Veteran Scams
New York Attorney General Letitia James released an online guide to help service members and veterans spot common scams.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Military Jobs
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New York Attorney General Letitia James released a new online guide dedicated to identifying and avoiding common scams targeting service members and veterans. The consumer alert was issued Monday, November 9, 2026, ahead of Veterans Day.
Why it matters
The military community is a consistent target for scammers due to steady income, the complexity of the VA system, frequent relocation, and the impact of credit scores on security clearances and promotions. Scammers exploit these factors to take advantage of service members and veterans.
The alert identifies several recurring scam types, including inflated-price product deals, fees for VA claim assistance, pension-forwarding schemes, fake government impersonation, fraudulent dating profiles, and fake charity solicitations. No count of reports or dollar losses was published in the alert.
The players
Letitia James
Letitia James is the Attorney General of New York, responsible for consumer protection enforcement in the state.
The details
Scammers offer special deals on low-quality products at inflated costs and charge veterans fees to help prepare VA claims while promising faster processing or larger benefits. Some also lure veterans into forwarding pension money, pose as official agencies, create fake dating profiles, and solicit donations for fake or predatory charities. Service members and veterans are advised never to share passwords or answer unexpected emails, texts, calls, or social media messages, to verify benefits-related messages with official sources, and to reject messages that convey urgency.
Timeline
Monday, November 9, 2026: Attorney General James issues the consumer alert and releases the scam guide.
Wednesday, November 11, 2026: Veterans Day.
Market Landscape
The alert reflects a recurring pattern in which state attorneys general issue targeted consumer warnings ahead of holidays and observances tied to specific populations. It positions New York's consumer protection office alongside similar state-level efforts to counter fraud aimed at veterans.
Veterans and service members who receive unsolicited offers to help with VA claims or pension matters should verify them directly with official sources before paying fees or sharing information. Recognizing urgency-based pressure tactics can help prevent losses to inflated-price products or fraudulent charities.
The takeaway
Service members and veterans can protect themselves by treating unexpected offers of help or urgent benefit messages with skepticism and confirming them through official channels before acting. Reporting suspected scams to the Attorney General's office helps the state track and respond to these schemes.
Further reading
Explore more on Military Jobs for context on careers and benefits affecting service members and veterans.
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