KINGSFORD — Many are aware of the fraudsters, scammers and hackers seeking to steal identities and assets. This threat extends to “claim sharks” preying on veterans by charging exorbitant fees to “assist” or “consult” on filing VA benefits claims.

These entities cannot legally file claims for veterans, as they lack accreditation, meaning they do not follow the VA’s stringent professional and ethical standards. Without the necessary professional training and education, their guidance can be misleading or fraudulent.

The VA states that “unaccredited individuals who prepare, present, or prosecute VA benefit claims, or claim to be authorized to do so, are violating federal law.”

“Claim sharks” often promise or guarantee an increased disability rating and advertise expedited VA claims decisions. They request veterans’ eBenefits or VA.gov login details to monitor claims and personal data, such as ratings and award amounts, because they cannot track claim status through official VA channels. Initially, they may coerce veterans into signing contracts that entitle the “claim sharks” to a significant portion of any awarded money or increased ratings, taking a cut from the veterans’ back pay and possibly a continuous portion of their monthly benefits.

Similar to “loan sharks,” once involved, veterans may find themselves trapped, incurring new or hidden fees with each new rating, regardless of who facilitated the change, since “claim sharks” have access to their personal information and can perpetually monitor their ratings.

Frequently, “claims sharks” may advise veterans against attending VA C&P exams and instead direct them to undergo health consultations with the company’s own doctors, subsequently charging exorbitant fees for the examination and nexus letter. This practice is part of the “claims sharks'” scheme to extract money from veterans.

To safeguard themselves from “claims sharks,” veterans should always engage with a VA-accredited representative, such as county veteran service officers, who regularly undergo training to remain informed about veterans’ claims, new VA laws, and emerging trends in VA issues and benefits.

Veterans can also collaborate with accredited veteran service officers from various service organizations — American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Vietnam Veterans of America, etc. — across the state.

Veterans must refrain from signing any contracts, consenting to pay fees or relinquish future benefits, or paying for medical consultations or opinions.

Crucially, veterans should never grant access to their ebenefits or VA.gov accounts, which could expose their protected health information or personal identifiable information. To further shield themselves from “claims sharks,” veterans should request proof of accreditation from the VA. Accreditation can be verified for individuals or companies by going to the VA’s official accreditation website https://www.va.gov/ogc/apps/accreditation/index.asp. This site lists the names and accreditation credentials of VA-accredited individuals authorized to assist in the preparation, presentation, and prosecution of VA benefits for veterans and their dependents. It is vital for veterans to retain their benefits and ensure they use an accredited representative when applying for VA benefits.

*****

Lacy and I wish to express our gratitude to all the volunteers, vendors, and sponsors who contributed to making this year’s veterans picnic a highly enjoyable event for our local veterans and their families. Such a large event could not have been possible without the support of the community and the dedication of our volunteers who devoted their time to assist our office.

We would like to acknowledge Mike Cellelo, an Army veteran, who has dedicated his time for several years to organize the musical acts for the veterans concert after the picnic. He has managed the legal contract work and ensured that everything was prepared and operated smoothly throughout the afternoon and evening.

Special thanks are also due to the Longriders Motorcycle Club, who have provided security for our event for many years. They have played a crucial role in keeping us safe and protected from harm, allowing everyone to enjoy the festivities throughout the day and into the evening. We look forward to seeing all of you again next year.

*****

Upcoming events —

— Every Tuesday: Bingo at the American Legion Post 50 in Iron Mountain.

— Last Sunday of every month: Breakfast at American Legion Post 145 in Norway.

— Sept. 28: Oktoberfest.