McCaskill raises alarm on fraudsters targeting Veterans Choice program
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill is alerting Missouri veterans of a scam targeting the Veterans Choice Program, in which fraudsters send letters to veterans containing nearly identical phone numbers to the Veterans Choice Program, and ask veterans for their credit card information when they call.
“Scammers who target our nation’s veterans—through a program meant to provide health care options and other services no less—are just about the lowest of the low,” said McCaskill, a senior member of the Armed Services Committee. “I’m hopeful if we can spread the word quickly we can stop this unconscionable attempt to take advantage of Missouri veterans.”
The VA is asking congressional and other offices to alert folks to the scam. The scam artists have reportedly set up a phone number nearly identical to the actual Veterans Choice Program phone number and are attempting to collect credit card information from veterans when they call. The correct number for the Veterans Choice Program is: 1-866-606-8198.
McCaskill is a longtime advocate for preventing identity and other impersonation scams, including taking aim at phone scams and the IRS impersonation scheme, which officials have called the “largest, most pervasive impersonation scam in the history of the IRS.” According to government figures, this scam, which has targeted hundreds of thousands of Americans, has cost victims of $23 million in less than two years.
Visit mccaskill.senate.gov/veterans to learn more about McCaskill’s fight for military veterans.
