Attorney General on Nov. 10, 2026 issued a consumer alert telling veterans and their families to be wary of scams that seek to exploit benefits claims, the attorney general’s office said.
The office called out unaccredited claims representatives; “claim sharks”; who promise faster claims or guaranteed benefit increases and operate outside VA oversight; the release said accredited representatives, including attorneys and claims agents certified by the VA, have passed exams, undergone background checks and completed ongoing training.
The office said California law SB 694, championed by Attorney General Bonta, prohibits charging fees that exceed what a VA‑accredited attorney or claims agent can legally charge; the release added that veterans do not need to pay for assistance with an initial benefits claim and can get free help from their county veteran service office, the California Department of Veterans Affairs, or another VA‑accredited representative.
Bonta warned of common scams that target veterans, including home loan schemes that ask for upfront fees or payments to unknown parties; identity‑theft attempts that impersonate the Department of Defense, VA or other agencies; pension scams that push costly annuities or asset transfers; affinity fraud that poses as fellow service members; and predatory schools that use high‑pressure sales tactics, the office said.
“On Veterans Day we remember and honor our veterans and their families and reflect on their significant sacrifices and contributions. Honoring our heroes means working to protect them from claim sharks and other predatory practices that target veterans,” Attorney General Bonta said in the release.
The practical steps the release recommends are simple: do not give personal information to unexpected callers or emails; hang up and call your loan servicer at the number on your mortgage statement if you are unsure; get free help from a county veteran service office for claims; and report suspected scams to the state and federal authorities. The office listed oag.ca.gov/report for complaints to the California Attorney General and reportfraud.ftc.gov for the Federal Trade Commission.
For identity theft the office recommends placing a fraud alert with Equifax, Experian and TransUnion and considering a credit freeze; if you are targeted or a victim, file a police report and keep a copy for your records, the release said.
State
Rob Bonta
Attorney General · Democrat
Named 4 times in this story.
Portrait: Official portrait
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