With 1.5 million military transitioning to the veteran status in the next 2 years, look out for more of these.

I would also encourage you to keep your charitable dollars in your local community. The needs are immense right where you live.  I take umbrage with the  methodologies of major non-profits who turn store clerks into de facto fund raisers, involuntarily. It seems to be  marginal employment abuse, as these employees are sort of indentured servants to these charities. Circle K and Chevron are the worst.  Moreover, those major corporations who are collection boxes for charities with exorbitant salaries, will not even permit the smaller local charities to play the game.  So LOOK LOCAL, for your veteran assist programs, they are abound.  Esperanza and Escalante Homeless program. The Merritt Retreat Center Veterans program in Payson, that is free to all veterans.  You will be showered with blessings from a God who is also local!

ALL:

The Department of Veterans Affairs has issued a fraud alert about a marketing scam that is targeting veterans who misdial the VA National Call Center (800-827-1000) or the GI Bill Call Center (888-442-4551) phone numbers.  A marketing company created two phone numbers that differ from the real VA numbers by one digit.  If a veteran misdials and calls the bogus number, the answering party will offer a gift card and try to obtain sensitive personal data, to include credit card information.  Please note that the VA will “never” ask for credit card or banking information over the phone.  

The two bogus numbers are 800-872-1000 and 888-442-4511.  Please forward this information to all your members, Posts and friends, and share it on your websites.  The bottom line is make sure you know who you are talking to before providing personal information over the phone.  The VA has notified law enforcement authorities. 

For a list of toll-free VA phone numbers, go to the VA’s Inquiry Routing & Information System webpage at https://iris.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1703.

Regards,

Joe Davis

Public Affairs Director

VFW Washington Office