Nothing is off-limits to scam artists – including taking advantage of military survivors in their most vulnerable moments.

As these beneficiaries begin the process of reviewing insurance, applying for survivor programs, and even preparing funeral ceremonies, they become tempting fraud targets. And while many of the scam-prevention tactics offered by MOAA apply in these circumstances, there are some specific practices survivors should keep in mind, offered by the VA and other governmental agencies.

1. Paperwork Protection

In the immediate aftermath of a veteran’s death, survivors face a series of forms they may find overwhelming. Resist the urge to take shortcuts – signing before a form is filled out, for example, or failing to read over new materials. Keep a copy of every form for your personal records, with special care paid to discharge papers and VA claims.

[RELATED: More Survivor Resources From MOAA]

2. Timely Reporting

Reporting a veteran’s death to the VA not only avoids benefit overpayments, it can help stop identity theft. The VA also recommends reporting the death to one of the three credit bureaus – Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion – which will trigger an update the veteran’s credit report and may stop similar scammers.

[FROM VA.GOV: How to Report the Death of a Veteran to VA]

3. Watch the Details

Scam artists have multiple venues to collect personally identifiable information (PII), which requires survivors to be vigilant on several fronts:

• If you haven’t created a VA account that’s protected by a personal identification number (PIN), consider doing so.
  
  
• Scammers may use obituaries to collect personal data for use in identity theft. This could involve creating fake accounts in the deceased’s name or contacting relatives mentioned in the obituary while posing as tax officials or insurance agents. The VA recommends leaving out some details in the obituary – birthdate and mother’s maiden name, for example – that are of particular value to fraudsters.
  
  
• Do not give out PII via text, and only use trusted web links. If you’re unsure whether an email is legitimate, reach out to the sender via another contact method (phone call, website contact form).

[UPDATED MONTHLY: MOAA's Surviving Spouse Corner]

4. Take Pause

The loss of a loved one can be overwhelming in even the best of circumstances – a fact fraudsters hope to use to their advantage. Any solicitation requiring urgent action, especially one involving benefits, may be a scam.

Why take the time? Aside from risking your information, a scammer may seek to enroll you in a VA benefit plan you’re not eligible to use. If you receive improper benefits from such an arrangement, even unknowingly, you may face penalties in addition to recoupment.

Want more ways to combat scams of all sorts? MOAA partners with the Cybercrime Support Network's Military and Veteran Program, which aims to protect servicemembers, veterans, and military families from falling victim to fraud. Find more information on their blog.