The PACT Act, which passed last month, allows veterans and their families claiming they were exposed to toxic water at Camp Lejeune to sue the federal government. Veterans are a group that scammers tend to target. The Better Business Bureau Serving Eastern NC (BBB) urges veterans to be vigilant and cautious about who may be trying to do business with them. Other BBB offices across North Carolina have seen an uptick in scams related to veterans and the PACT Act.
According to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, the PACT Act is a new law that expands VA health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances.
The 2021 BBB Scam Tracker Risk Report showed that although the number of active-duty military exposed to a scam was nearly identical to the percentage of the general population reporting monetary loss; the susceptibility of active-duty military (60.7%) was about 42% higher than that of the overall population.
Service members can visit the Department of Veteran Affairs website for more information on the PACT Act.
Common Scams Targeting Service Members:
*High-priced military loans – Advertisements for loans that promise a guarantee, instant approval or no credit check will often come with hidden fees and extremely high interest rates. Remember that legitimate lenders will never guarantee a loan before you apply, and loans that require an upfront fee are likely a scam.
*Veterans’ benefits buyout plans- This buyout plan…
