Cybersecurity for Veterans: How to Protect Your Information and Your VA Benefits

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month. So much of what we do now happens online, including managing VA disability benefits, checking claims, updating banking information, and accessing personal records.

For veterans, that means some pretty important information is only a login away. Unfortunately, scammers know that too.

A decade ago, most scam emails practically announced themselves. The grammar was terrible, the sender looked suspicious, and half the time the message barely made sense. Now, scammers can copy legitimate websites, create emails that look professional, and even use artificial intelligence to imitate someone's voice or appearance.

Scams may look different than they did ten years ago, but the goal really hasn't changed. Scammers are looking for information they can use to access your accounts or steal your money.

The VA has repeatedly warned veterans and their families about fraud targeting benefits and personal information. The good news is that a few simple precautions can make you a much harder target.

 

That Email Might Not Be From The VA

Phishing isn't new, but spotting it isn’t as easy as it used to be.

A scammer may send an email or text that looks like it came from the VA and tells you there's a problem with your benefits, asks you to verify your identity, or says you need to update your direct deposit information. The message may even use official-looking logos and language.

Usually, there's also some pressure to act quickly. The less time you spend looking at the message, the less likely you are to notice something is off.

If an unexpected message asks you to click a link or provide personal information, check the sender's email address first. Better yet, skip the link altogether and go directly to VA.gov yourself. It might feel like an extra step, but it's a lot easier than dealing with a compromised account later.

 

Fake Websites Are Getting Better, Too

The VA has also warned veterans about fraudulent websites designed to imitate VA.gov, and some of them can look pretty convincing.

A familiar logo, the right colors, or a page that looks official doesn't necessarily mean you're where you think you are. By the time you notice something isn't right, you may have already started entering personal information.

The actual Department of Veterans Affairs website is VA.gov. If you're checking a claim, changing account information or accessing your benefits, type the address into your browser yourself rather than relying on a link that someone sent you.

 

AI Has Changed the Game

Artificial intelligence has given scammers a few new tricks.

The VA has warned that scammers can use AI to create fake identities, more convincing phishing messages, and even realistic audio or video impersonations. That means some of the advice we've heard for years — look for spelling mistakes, awkward sentences or obviously fake messages — isn't enough anymore. A scammer doesn't necessarily need to sound suspicious.

If someone contacts you unexpectedly and asks for passwords, banking information, money, or other sensitive information, find another way to verify who you're dealing with. Don't call the number included in the suspicious message. Look up the organization's official contact information yourself.

The same applies if the person appears to be someone you know. An unusual request for money is worth a phone call to a number you already have saved, especially now that a familiar-sounding voice isn't necessarily enough to prove who's on the other end.

 

Your VA Login Is Worth Protecting

Think about how much personal information can be tied to one account. Your Social Security number, claim information, banking details, and other personal records can all be very valuable to someone trying to commit fraud.

The VA recommends using multi-factor authentication, keeping your devices and software updated, creating strong passwords, and avoiding the temptation to reuse the same password everywhere.

It's also important to be careful about who you give access to when you're getting help with a VA disability claim. Someone offering assistance doesn’t automatically need your VA.gov username, password or other account credentials.

Caller ID isn't foolproof, either. Phone numbers can be spoofed to make a call look like it's coming from someone you recognize. If you're unsure whether you're actually speaking with the VA, hang up and call back using an official number from VA.gov.

 

What If You've Already Clicked?

It happens. These scams are designed to work, and falling for a convincing message doesn't mean you’re out of options.

If you've clicked on a suspicious link or already provided information, stop communicating with the sender and save or screenshot whatever they've sent you. If you’ve given banking or credit card information, contact your financial institution as soon as possible. If more sensitive personal information was compromised, keep a close eye on your accounts and credit and consider placing a credit freeze.

Veterans who notice a missing VA benefit payment, a change in their payment, or an unexpected change to their direct deposit information can contact the VA at 800-827-1000.

Suspected veteran-related fraud can also be reported through VSAFE at 833-38V-SAFE (833-388-7233).

 

Protecting What You’ve Earned

The hardest part about avoiding scams today is that they don't always look like scams. An email can look official, a website can look familiar, and a phone call can appear to come from a number you recognize. Cybersecurity Awareness Month is a good reminder to be a little more careful with the information we normally hand over without thinking twice.

Scammers rely on people being busy, distracted, or worried enough to act before they think. A message saying there's a problem with your VA disability benefits can understandably get your attention, which is exactly why it's worth verifying who it is before clicking anything.

You don't have to know every scam in the book. Going directly to VA.gov, protecting your login information, and double-checking unexpected requests can go a long way toward keeping your information — and your benefits — where they belong.

At Legal Help For Veterans, we know how important those benefits are and how much can go into securing them in the first place. If something involving your VA disability benefits doesn't look right, don't ignore it. And if you need help with a VA disability claim or appeal, our team is here to help you protect the benefits you've earned.