Friday, December 06, 2013

VA Warns of Marketing Scam



By Claudette Roulo
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Dec. 6, 2013 – The Department of Veterans Affairs recently posted an alert on its Facebook page warning of a marketing scam targeting veterans.

A marketing company has purchased telephone numbers that differ by one digit from the VA’s national call center and the GI Bill call center. Callers who misdial and reach the fraudulent numbers will be offered a gift card in exchange for personal and financial information -- including credit card information.

According to the warning, after the caller’s information is obtained, they may even be transferred to the VA number they were attempting to reach.

The VA will never ask for credit card or banking information over the phone. Law enforcement authorities have been notified of the situation.

The VA’s national call center number is 800-827-1000, and the GI Bill call center’s number is 888-442-4551. VA’s customer service numbers can be verified online at https://iris.custhelp.com/.

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