It’s a scam that’s been happening to unsuspecting veterans across the country.
So-called “claims sharks” rip off those who put their lives on the line for our country, by charging them exorbitant fees to file veterans’ disability claims. These “sharks,” as identified in a new bipartisan bill in Congress, are characterized as companies or individuals with predatory practices that target veterans under the guise of helping them file VA benefit claims—at an extra cost.
“These brave men and women earned their benefits, and it’s our job to stop any bad actors who try to take advantage and scam them,” U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), one among several lawmakers introducing legislation to protect vulnerable vets, said in a statement shared with Military.com. “I am proud to work with my colleagues to stand up for our veterans and safeguard the benefits that they deserve.”
The “Stopping Abuse, Fraud, and Exploitation by Governing Unaccredited Representatives Defrauding (SAFEGUARD) Veterans Act” mandates that only accredited individuals can assist veterans with VA benefit claims. It would also reinstate criminal penalties for unaccredited agents caught trying to cheat veterans.
Other safeguards written into the act include the closing of loopholes exploited by unaccredited actors; prohibiting the use of robocall technology to obtain VA claims information; requiring the VA to establish a system to track accredited agents and report scammers; and increasing warnings to veterans about claim sharks and other predatory practices.
Democratic Lawmakers, Others Support Bill
The SAFEGUARD Veterans Act is led by U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas (D-NH) and co-sponsored by Sens. Angus King (I-Maine), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Bernard Sanders (I-Vt.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Jacky Rosen (D-NM), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Peter Welch (D-Vt.).
Several Republicans have also signed on in support of the legislation, including Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.), a retired Air Force brigadier general and member of the House Armed Services Committee.
“Our veterans should never be targeted by bad actors trying to profit off their hard-earned benefits,” Bacon said in a statement. “The bill takes a commonsense approach to crack down on predatory practices and protect veterans from exploitation.”
The legislation is supported by the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers (NACVSO), Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Disabled American Veterans (DAV), and The American Legion.
NACVSO President Andrew Tangen, in a statement shared with Military.com, expressed support for the legislative effort while reminding veterans that they can already receive claims assistance for free through the VA and accredited nonprofit organizations.
“NACVSO supports the SAFEGUARD Veterans Act of 2026 and its efforts to restore integrity within the VA claims process,” Tangen said. “No veteran should ever have to pay for initial claim services and those who have illegally profited must be held accountable.”
Tangen added there are important reasons why veterans should only file claims with accredited agents and organizations.
“VA-accredited representatives operate under federal oversight, training requirements, and ethical standards designed to protect veterans,” Tangen said. “[However] unaccredited claims agents have increasingly exploited enforcement gaps while profiting from veteran injuries and illnesses. This legislation takes bad profit incentives away from unscrupulous claims agents.”
Another supporter of the bill is Disabled American Veterans National Service Director Scott Hope, who called the veteran benefits scam an “ongoing threat.”
“DAV strongly supports the SAFEGUARD Veterans Act to help combat unethical individuals who prey on veterans navigating the complex VA claims process and charge fees for help that should be free and accredited,” Hope said. “This bill puts teeth back into protections that veterans need, deserve, and have earned.”
The Safeguard Act is still a long way from becoming law. It has to go through committee in the House and Senate to debate the merits and make changes before going up for a final vote. Scott Hope remains optimistic.
“Passage of this legislation would demonstrate our nation’s unwavering commitment to honor and protect all who have served,” he said. “Every veteran deserves strong, honest advocacy when seeking earned benefits—not opportunists seeking to profit.”
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