Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has issued a warning to veterans in the state about a new scam involving fraudulent postcards. According to reports, Michigan veterans have received postcards that appear legitimate and claim they are eligible for additional benefits. The postcards instruct recipients to call a phone number to receive these supposed benefits or rewards, but the intent is to steal personal information.
Attorney General Nessel advised residents to be careful when receiving such offers and recommended verifying the legitimacy of any communication regarding veteran resources before sharing sensitive information such as Social Security numbers, veteran ID numbers, or bank details. Veterans can confirm the authenticity of these offers by contacting their veteran service officer, county veterans affairs office, or by calling the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency’s (MVAA) Michigan Veterans Resource Service Center at 800-MICH-VET (800-642-4838).
“Fraudsters are always looking for ways to steal your personal information,” Nessel said. “If veterans receive a postcard in the mail, they should trust their instincts, remain cautious, and verify any claims with their veteran service officer or the MVAA to avoid falling victim to scammers.”
Brian L. Love, Director of the MVAA, also commented on the situation: “Michigan is home to more than 486,000 veterans and their families. It is crucial that we protect those who took an oath to serve our nation. MVAA is dedicated to connecting Michigan veterans to the federal, state and local benefits and resources they earned.”
Veterans are encouraged to visit the MVAA website or call 800-MICH-VET (800-642-4838) for assistance locating community resources and learning about available federal and state benefits.
Those who believe they have been targeted by this scam can file complaints with both the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Attorney General. Complaints may be submitted through the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Team via mail at P.O. Box 30213 Lansing, MI 48909; by phone at 517-335-7599 or toll-free at 877-765-8388; fax at 517-241-3771; or using an online complaint form.