The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) advises Pennsylvania veterans and their advocates of scams to poach VA pensions. Pension poaching is financial exploitation targeting veterans and beneficiaries who are potentially eligible for VA pension benefits.

Veteran pension poaching occurs when scammers, dishonest financial planners or others charge veterans or their beneficiaries for help in applying for or submitting applications for VA pensions. The scheme often involves financial maneuvers such as advising claimants to hide their assets in trusts or annuity products, sometimes resulting in lost investments and lucrative fees paid to the adviser.

Veterans and their advocates should remember to never share their VA login information or deposit VA benefits directly into a third-party bank account unless the person is court-appointed or a VA accredited fiduciary. Veterans or their advocates should never pay for forms or to submit applications, to restructure assets in order to "qualify," for the promise of eligibility for a pension, or to receive a lump sum payment on a pension.

There are approximately 200 veteran service officers in Pennsylvania who work within organizations such as the DMVA, county VA offices, and several veterans service organizations. For a complete list of county directors and their contact information, visit http://www.dmva.pa.gov and click on Contact Your County Director.

Veterans who have experienced or suspect a pension scam should contact 717-783-1944 or pavets@attorneygeneral.gov or submit a complaint online at http://www.attorneygeneral.gov.