TL;DR: On August 24, 2026, the FTC warned of a postcard scam aimed at veterans. The cards claim the recipient or their spouse may qualify for extra monthly benefits under a “Veterans Savings Program”, which does not exist. The goal is to make you call so scammers can collect Social Security or bank details.
What happened
The FTC consumer alert says scammers mail postcards to veterans claiming they or their spouse may qualify for extra monthly veterans benefits. The postcards may include the recipient’s state and mention real VA benefits, such as CHAMPVA or TRICARE For Life, to seem legitimate.
The program is fake. The aim is to get the recipient to call so the scammer can collect personal information such as Social Security numbers or bank account details.
Why it works
Mentioning real benefit names and a real state borrows credibility, and a printed card feels more official than a text. The pressure to call right away stops people from checking the program name with the VA first.
The FTC’s red flags are pressure to call immediately or risk losing the benefit, a program name that matches no real VA program, real benefit names used to add credibility, and requests for Social Security numbers or bank details.
Background: our explainers on how to protect elderly parents from phone scams and gift card scam recovery. See also FBI Warns of Hospice Fraud Targeting Medicare Recipients and Fake FIFA Websites: FBI Warning Before the World Cup. For wider numbers, see our data page on scam losses by age group.
What the FTC advises
- Do not respond to the postcard.
- Contact the VA directly using a number you already know is real, such as the VA Benefits Hotline at 1-800-827-1000, not the number on the card.
- Warn other veterans, since scammers often target many people, and sign up for scam updates at MilitaryConsumer.gov.
- Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or to the VA at VSAFE.gov or 1-833-38V-SAFE (1-833-388-7233).
If you have already sent money
Contact your bank or card issuer immediately and ask to stop or recall the payment, then report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and, for internet-enabled crime, to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center. Our guides on how to report a scam to IC3, how to reverse a wire transfer scam and US bank impersonation scams walk through the steps, and what to do after a scam, wherever you live covers the first 24 hours. Scammers often start with details taken from past leaks, so run our free digital footprint check to see what of yours is already exposed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a “Veterans Savings Program”?
No. The FTC says the program named on the postcards is fake and does not match any real VA program.
Why do the postcards mention CHAMPVA or TRICARE?
Scammers use real benefit names to seem legitimate, according to the FTC alert of August 24, 2026.
What do the scammers want?
They want you to call so they can collect personal information such as Social Security numbers or bank account details.
Who should I call instead?
Call the VA on a number you know is real, such as the VA Benefits Hotline at 1-800-827-1000, and report the card to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Sources
Related Reading
- FBI Warns of Hospice Fraud Targeting Medicare Recipients
- Fake FIFA Websites: FBI Warning Before the World Cup
- Hope RCMP: Grandparent Scam Returns With a Car Accident Story
- US Scam News: October 2026 Roundup and Warnings
- Scam Losses by Age Group: US and Australia Data (2025)
- What to do after a scam, wherever you live