During Data Privacy Week (Jan. 27 – 31), VA is sharing guidance on how Veterans and their beneficiaries can protect their data, especially Personally Identifiable Information (PII). It’s crucial to recognize that fraudsters often target Veterans through various scams to gain access to personal data, resulting in identity theft.

Understanding Identity Theft

Identity theft occurs when someone steals personal information—such as Social Security Numbers (SSNs), bank account details, medical records and account numbers, or credit card information to commit fraud. This can lead to unauthorized purchases, drained bank accounts, and even fraudulent claims for benefits in your name. Identity theft can have severe consequences, impacting not only financial stability but also access to VA benefits.

Types of scams targeting personal data

  • Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) Scams: Fraudsters can use AI to create fake identities or impersonate real people, businesses or charities to access secure information and file claims for benefits. They may develop convincing voice or video messages for social engineering attacks to trick people into giving money to fraudsters.
  • QR Code Scams: With the rise of contactless payment and information sharing, fraudsters use QR codes as a quick scam. These codes may appear in emails, social media, flyers, websites or public places like parking meters, and direct users to phishing sites intended to steal personal data or request payment under false pretenses.
  • Phishing: Phishing, also known as clickbait scams, comes in many forms, such as emails, phone calls, text messages, fake websites and advertisements, and social media videos. Clicking on links can lead Veterans to phishing sites designed to steal personal information, infect devices with malware, or request payment for nonexistent services. Veterans should be constantly vigilant, alert and skeptical to stay safe online. Veterans who share military service or employment information online put themselves at risk of phishing scams.
  • Romance & Friendship Scams: Fraudsters create fake profiles on dating apps and social media platforms to befriend individuals. Once a connection is established, they gather personal details to later pressure potential victims with blackmail to gain PII, account numbers and passwords, or financial payment.

How you can secure your data

  • Screen emails carefully and only open emails from senders you know and trust. Delete and block emails from unknown or suspicious senders.
  • Be cautious of popups and links on websites, emails and texts which can be used to infect your device with harmful malware.
  • Limit the PII you post online, such as your address, date of birth, workplace or kinship details. The less information scammers can find about you online the safer you will be.
  • Maximize privacy settings on all active social media accounts to protect information from unknown users and prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information. 
  • Do not accept friend or connection requests from individuals with only an online presence. Only add friends or connections you know and trust in real life, not those you have only met online.
  • Download strong antivirus software to protect yourself from malware attacks. If your computer runs unusually slowly or frequently crashes without explanation, it may indicate it is infected with malware.
  • Never send bank information or payment to “online only” friends or unverified entities. Fraudsters create an emergency, threatening to destroy your files or data, or lock your account if you do not send payment. If you experience ransomware, do not respond to any threat, and report the incident immediately.
  • Only scan QR codes from trusted sources. Always verify the code’s authenticity by visiting the organization’s website or contacting them directly.
  • Contact your VA Privacy Officer. Veterans can contact their local Privacy Officer to file a complaint regarding an alleged VA privacy violation or for general privacy questions and concerns. The VA Privacy website  contains VA privacy guidance and resources, including information on how to:
    • File a Privacy Complaint.
    • Access and download information sheets about protecting Veteran’s identity and privacy.

Taking proactive measures to secure personal data is one of the most effective ways to prevent identity theft and other types of fraud. During Data Privacy Week, and every day, VA is here to help ensure Veterans keep their personal information and benefits safe from harm. For more information on fraud impacting Veterans’ benefits, visit Protecting Veterans From Fraud | Veterans Affairs. Veterans who suspect they have experienced fraud can find resources to file a report with the appropriate agency by visiting www.vsafe.gov or calling 833-38V-SAFE.  

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The comments section is for opinions and feedback on this particular article; this is not a customer support channel. If you are looking for assistance, please visit Ask VA or call 1-800-698-2411. Please, never put personally identifiable information (SSAN, address, phone number, etc.) or protected health information into the form — it will be deleted for your protection.

31 Comments

  1. Paul Kelly February 10, 2025 at 17:59 - Reply

    IMHO, I like the idea of a fellow who truly has nothing to gain from me, doing audits of bureaucrats who distribute my taxes with no oversight. And he makes a tremendous EV.

  2. Michael Getty February 10, 2025 at 13:11 - Reply

    So….what to do about Musk

  3. Vietnam Vet February 9, 2025 at 06:58 - Reply

    Reading these comments proves Trump Derangement Syndrome is alive and well. What a shame.

  4. TSgt Geo P (USAF Ret) February 6, 2025 at 23:36 - Reply

    I concur with all of the comments posted by my brothers and sisters here!!! I served 22years only to see this country spit in our face. And all those who came before us, fought and are buried in Veteran Cemeteries here and aboard. Or still MIA. To watch this country embrace fascism, socialism and communism is heart wrenching. Why did we waste our time????? The Trumpet called us “Suckers and Losers” and now wants to use us??? Really???

  5. Robert L Dickinson February 6, 2025 at 19:19 - Reply

    The changing of the login websites to login.com and ID.me to prevent fraud and theft has made it somewhat more difficult for veterans to
    conduct business with the DFAS and the VA. To use the new websites requires the creation of a new username and password, which is not
    difficult. However, to verify who you are is not easy, and for many of us veterans without the tools to do so it is not possible online. It is hard not to believe that this is not another case where the government is trying to fix a problem by taking corrective steps that punish a majority while those who commit the offenses pretty much go free. If the government is concerned about the amount of fraud and theft that is committed against veterans, what effort does the government make to catch the bad guys and thereby send a strong message that their actions are not acceptable. After my letters were removed from a U.S. postal drop box, modified, and used to drain our checking account, I called the local police department, postal authorities and the FBI. For the first two calls I was at least asked to fill out a report. For the call to the FBI, though, I was a bit surprised. I always believed that stealing mail is a federal crime, I also believed that the FBI exists to fight crime within the U.S. When I explained the situation to the agent with whom I spoke, I was basically ignored. I would think that putting more emphasis on catching and punishing the bad guys would produce better results than punishing the innocent.

  6. Viet Nam vet February 6, 2025 at 14:35 - Reply

    Every Vet has had their Data stolen by DODGE. With the consent of Doug Collins. Simply not to be trusted.

  7. TERRY MOSSBARGER SR February 6, 2025 at 13:24 - Reply

    I do not give permission for my personal or VA date to be accumulated, disseminated, and distributed by any agency other than within the Veterans Administration system. I want direct and written confirmation when any other agency within the United States Government has access to my information. I expect the Veterans Administration will assure that who. Ever reads my information has all of the proper credentials in doing so.

    • TERRY MOSSBARGER SR February 6, 2025 at 13:31 - Reply

      Brothers and Sisters at Arm, do not forget the VA also stores your personal banking information. Just adding this reminder for some.

  8. Tommie Oakley February 6, 2025 at 13:18 - Reply

    Speaking of fraud and identity theft- what do we do when there are unauthorized persons accessing our records?? How do we prevent any of our information from that??!!

  9. Lisa Winger February 6, 2025 at 12:22 - Reply

    How about not having our information accessed by unqualified individuals with no sevurity clearances and loading the information on a non secure non encrypted hard drive. That would be a great start by the V A

  10. Diane Hiligh February 6, 2025 at 11:08 - Reply

    I’m worried about you giving Elon Musk access to my personal data! Do you think that we are stupid? You could care less about us or our data. Why should I give my email address and name to hear more BS.

  11. Kurt S. February 6, 2025 at 11:06 - Reply

    Don’t bend over and let Trump, Musk and his merry band of adolescent hackers into our data.

    That would go a long way to protect our data from fraudsters.

  12. De Verl Argyle February 6, 2025 at 10:56 - Reply

    How do we protect our private and personal information from the biggest fraudster of them all, Elon Musk and his storm troopers? And don’t forget his puppet boss.

  13. Kim February 6, 2025 at 10:34 - Reply

    How can we protect our veterans from Elon Misk?

  14. James Dean February 6, 2025 at 08:52 - Reply

    How do I keep Elon Musk out of my accounts? He and his 6 UNAUTHORIZED Civilians have gotten into the Treasury computers. So, how will you keep him out of your? How will you protect us from these 7 UNAUTHORIZED Civilians. It smells like FRAUD to me!

  15. Randall Locke February 6, 2025 at 01:11 - Reply

    I believe it’s important for the VA to offer VPN service or similar digital protection for veterans’ personal computers. Veterans are often targeted by hackers and scams, putting their sensitive information at rick. Implementing such protection can help safeguard them against these threats. Additionally, providing veterans with internet access can be very beneficial. It can assist them in education, job applications, and staying connected with friends and family.

    Aloha
    Randy L.

  16. Doris Deberry February 5, 2025 at 23:59 - Reply

    Since there is a convicted felon in the White House and several fraudersters there too that already have all my information , I’m not to worried about anyone else.

  17. Kit Grimm February 5, 2025 at 23:13 - Reply

    Does this at all pertain to the illegitimacy of Musk gaining our “PII” through fraudulent means as an unelected , illegal immigrant tapping into government payout systems? I would suspect so.

  18. Karl L. Weber February 5, 2025 at 22:43 - Reply

    You forgot,” Do not share information with Elon Musk.”

  19. Veteran's Wife February 5, 2025 at 22:29 - Reply

    What’s being done about Trump giving Elon Musk access to all of the veterans’ info and SSNs? How do we protect the rights and benefits we’ve worked so hard to get as veterans? Are our benefits that we’ve had for the last two decades going to disappear? Are they going to just halt those without cause? Right now, the biggest data breach is ALL OF THIS with Musk and his made-up department. He has no right to do what he’s doing. Who is going to help us now?

  20. L Bondanza February 5, 2025 at 21:25 - Reply

    Why aren’t the actions of Musk stealing veterans info off the Treasury payment system listed as a probable way to steal personal and confidential data?
    At least VA employees have made an oath to the US Constitution, have had at least one or more background checks and are held to high ethics and integrity standards.

  21. John Eder February 5, 2025 at 21:21 - Reply

    How about protecting your data from the Nazis currently destroying our country?

  22. lloyd grimmer February 5, 2025 at 19:09 - Reply

    All well and good. How can we protect our data from Elon Musk and his helpers?

  23. Arthur Strandgard February 5, 2025 at 18:36 - Reply

    My comment was not posted. Must have mad someone very angry.

  24. Arthur Strandgard February 5, 2025 at 18:34 - Reply

    And President Elon and his minions (not vetted, cleared per E.O. 12968, etc.) have access to millions of records sand personal information. He and his ilk are not government employees and should and must not have that kind of power. Don’t try to tell me how to secure my data when it is in the hands of sycophants, uncleared people who have no idea what they are doing. Former Security Specialist (0080), Cryptologic Technician and retiree. The slippery slope is here. It must stop.

  25. Gary Moody February 5, 2025 at 18:24 - Reply

    Pretty darn ironic.

    ‘Infinite Nightmares at Once’: Veterans Data Swept Up in Musk’s Takeover of Treasury System
    Military.com | By Rebecca Kheel
    Published February 04, 2025 at 5:59pm ET
    https://www.military.com/daily-news/2025/02/04/infinite-nightmares-once-veterans-data-swept-musks-takeover-of-treasury-system.html

    Sensitive veterans data, including information about Department of Veterans Affairs benefits, are among the Treasury Department records Elon Musk’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency now has access to amid his quest to unilaterally cut government spending and personnel.

    Over the weekend, Musk and his team gained access to the system that the Treasury Department uses to make all U.S. government payments. The system includes taxpayer data, such as Social Security numbers, for nearly every American, which naturally includes scores of veterans. On top of that, information about VA disability and retirement benefits, Medicare and Medicaid payments and any other government benefits veterans might receive would be swept up in the system.

    “Anyone who’s receiving payments from the federal government, first and foremost, is likely to be concerned that payments that they are obliged to receive might not show up, either intentionally because they’re getting blocked for some reason that’s not explained, or even unintentionally, because they’re giving admin access to a critical piece of our federal infrastructure to random coders off the street, which violates like every principle of cybersecurity and administration of these systems that exists,” said Alan Butler, executive director and president of the Electronic Privacy Information Center, a nonprofit privacy advocacy group.

  26. James C. Mann February 5, 2025 at 18:17 - Reply

    What about president musk looking at my medical records????????????????

  27. Tom Carlson January 31, 2025 at 20:11 - Reply

    Thank you. Very helpful and informative.

  28. Irwin French January 31, 2025 at 11:53 - Reply

    Is there gonna be anyone to help us? Are we just fill out a bunch of papers? Email them to you and we went back onto the Internet again I don’t make a whole lot of sense to me. I ain’t a smart man I guess but I know it ain’t stupid so how is this happening? Anything to do this over the Internet thank you

  29. C Loftis January 31, 2025 at 00:54 - Reply

    So you warn of giving up PII yet Javascript for this cite has, in addition to va.gov and digital.gov two entities: parsely.com and withcabin.com. Who are these guys?

    • Karl L. Weber February 5, 2025 at 23:29 - Reply

      Elon and his boys?

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