They See a Veteran. Scammers See a Payday.

By Brett Stacy, Founder, Operation T.A.G.

There is something especially disgraceful about using a veteran’s military service to gain their trust, and then stealing from them.

These criminals know the language. They talk about earned benefits, military families, and helping those who served. They decorate their messages with flags and official-looking seals. They understand that an offer of financial assistance can get someone’s attention when money is tight.

Then they use that opening to take what belongs to the veteran.

With Veterans Day approaching, we need to talk about protecting the people we say we appreciate. Sharing a warning, helping someone verify an offer, or connecting a family with legitimate assistance is a tangible act of gratitude.

And right now, those actions matter.

The offer looks helpful. The consequences are real.

In an October 14 warning, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs described a fraudulent Facebook post advertising a “Veterans & Retired Seniors Grant Program.” Some veterans provided direct-deposit information, allowing criminals to redirect their VA payments.

VA also warned that artificial intelligence can make fraudulent images, voices, and videos appear convincing. A familiar face or authoritative-sounding voice is not proof that an offer is real.

Think about what a stolen benefit payment can mean to a family counting on that money.

The mortgage still comes due. Groceries still cost money. The electric company still expects payment. Meanwhile, the veteran has to spend time untangling something that should never have happened.

The theft reaches beyond a bank account. It can take away someone’s sense of security and make them reluctant to trust the next person offering legitimate help.

That should concern all of us.

Patriotic packaging proves nothing.

A flag on a postcard does not establish credibility

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) warned about postcards promoting a supposed “Veterans Savings Program.” The program described in those mailers does not exist. The postcards reference real benefits and urge recipients to call quickly, creating an opportunity to collect personal or financial information.

A flag on a postcard does not establish credibility. Neither does knowing your military background, using a government-style logo, or calling you a hero.

Before sharing anything, take a breath and verify the organization independently. Be especially cautious when someone pressures you to act immediately, asks for sensitive account information, or insists that an offer must remain secret. End the conversation and contact the organization through a trusted number or website you find yourself. VA specifically recommends independent verification.

You do not owe an unsolicited caller your trust.

If it happened to you, speak up

Shame helps the criminal.

If someone deceived you, the responsibility belongs to the person who deliberately set out to steal from you. Tell someone you trust and begin reporting what happened.

• For questions about a suspicious VA benefits offer, call the VA Benefits Hotline: 800-827-1000.
• Report suspected VA-related fraud at VSAFE.gov or call 833-38V-SAFE (833-387-2333).
• Report fraud to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Use independently verified channels, not contact information supplied in the suspicious message.

Family members and friends have a responsibility here, too. If a veteran tells you something went wrong, help them take the next step. A lecture about what they should have noticed will not recover a dollar.

Real help deserves attention

Warnings are useful, but people also need somewhere legitimate to turn.

One organization worth knowing is Soldier On, whose work addresses veteran homelessness and housing instability. Its website describes no-cost legal assistance for veteran residents involving matters such as debt, taxes, child support, eviction, and landlord-tenant disputes. Permanent housing residents also receive estate-planning services, including wills, healthcare proxies, and powers of attorney.

Soldier On also describes free financial counseling through its collaboration with Money Management International and Freddie Mac. Counseling topics include credit, debt, financial stability, and preparation for homeownership.

Learn more at SoldierOnSuccess.org or call 888-288-3184. Soldier On’s housing outreach serves veteran families in Delaware, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Contact Soldier On directly to confirm eligibility, service area, and available assistance, particularly for legal services, which its website describes in the context of its veteran residents. You can also learn more at WeSoldierOn.org.

These resources belong in this conversation because financial pressure can make a promise of quick relief especially tempting. Knowing where to find legitimate support gives a family another place to turn before trusting a stranger’s offer.

Gratitude carries a responsibility

At Operation T.A.G., we believe gratitude should lead to action. T.A.G. stands for Tangible Act of Gratitude, and sometimes that act is as straightforward as helping a veteran check whether a message is real.

Captain Gratitude represents that commitment: standing up for those who stood up for us.

This Veterans Day, check on someone. Share this warning. Help a family member verify an unfamiliar offer. Make sure the veterans in your life know they can ask for another set of eyes without being judged.

The people targeting them are counting on urgency, confusion, and silence.

We can answer with patience, clear information, and action.

Gratitude isn’t a certification. It’s something you do. Gratitude over profits every day of the year.

FREE BOOK DOWNLOAD: Mission Homeownership

For military families pursuing homeownership, Brett Stacy’s free guide Mission Homeownership explains VA home loans and the homebuying journey. Scan the QR code on the card or use the download link. The link goes straight to the download form.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a “Veterans & Retired Seniors Grant Program”?

No. VA warned on October 14, 2026, that a Facebook post using that name was fraudulent. Some veterans who engaged provided direct-deposit information that was used to redirect payments.

Is the “Veterans Savings Program” real?

No. The FTC has warned that postcards promoting it are a scam. Don’t call the number on the postcard.

What should I do if a suspicious offer arrives?

Don’t share information. End the conversation and verify independently. Contact the VA Benefits Hotline at 800-827-1000, check VA.gov directly, or report the offer at VSAFE.gov / 833-38V-SAFE and ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

I already gave information to a scammer. What now?

Act quickly. Contact the VA Benefits Hotline at 800-827-1000, report it at VSAFE.gov, and tell someone you trust. Shame helps the criminal; speaking up doesn’t.

Who is Soldier On?

Soldier On is an organization addressing veteran homelessness and housing instability. It offers no-cost legal assistance to veteran residents, estate-planning services for permanent housing residents, and free financial counseling through Money Management International and Freddie Mac. Contact Soldier On directly at SoldierOnSuccess.org / 888-288-3184 or WeSoldierOn.org to confirm eligibility and service area.

What is Operation T.A.G.?

Operation T.A.G. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit military homeownership support organization, not a lender, founded by Brett Stacy and his son Scott. We are dedicated to helping, informing, supporting, and protecting military families. Operation T.A.G. connects families with licensed lending partners.

Brett Stacy
Founder & National Director, Operation T.A.G.™
National Brand Ambassador, Hometown Hero Credit™
Military Family Advocate | Author | Speaker
OperationTAG.org | HometownHeroCredit.com

Operation T.A.G. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, not a lender. All mortgage applications, loan terms, rates, and lending services are provided by appropriately licensed lending partners. PRMG NMLS #75243.