Veterans! Be Alert! A marketing company has acquired and is using two toll free numbers which are VERY SIMILAR to US Department of Veterans Affairs (Benefits Assistance Service) toll free numbers. The marketer is trying to get callers to sign up to receive a Wal-Mart gift card, and is asking for personal identification information, to include credit card information. When asked if they are the VA, they reply vaguely, and explain that the VA is very busy and the call was directed to them. They don’t say they are the VA, but if asked if they can help with VA benefits, they say yes. In addition, they even offer to transfer the call to the VA, after the caller provides the credit card information to get the free Wal-Mart gift card. The VA and IDVA will NOT ask for credit card info over the phone. The VA is not participating in any gift card promotions. This issue has been reported to the USDVA Office of the Inspector General and the Federal Trade Commission for review. The two numbers identified in this alert are: • 1-800-872-1000 • 1-888-442-4511 The USDVA has reported this issue to the Office of the Inspector General and filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission. They will be reviewing the situation to determine the appropriate course of action. If you feel you have disclosed your personal information to an unauthorized individual, please contact your credit card company and advise them of the situation, review transactions, and request that a new card number be issued. You may request a free credit report from credit reporting agencies. In addition, you should also contact the FTC at 1-877-382-4357 and file a complaint.
Posted on: Thu, 21 Nov 2013 21:13:51 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015