Tuesday, October 26, 2010

FW: BE Aware FW: [MI Elder Law] FW: veterans benefits scams

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fn:Mary Kavanaugh-Gahn
n:Kavanaugh-Gahn;Mary
org:Legal Services of Northern Michigan TC
adr;dom:;;;TC
email;internet:kavagahn@lsnm.org
title:Deputy Director
tel;work:231/941-5109
note:www.LSNM.org
url:http://LSNM.org
version:2.1
end:vcard

 

The Veterans Home Care LLC would fall w/in the definition regarding veteran benefits scams described below.   Just substitute "loan" for "annuity" and you have the same issue. Scroll all the way down please.
I will provide more information as I receive it.  Do not sign on with VHC.
MKG

Hi Everybody.  I am interested to know if any of you have encountered elders

who were sold annuities by insurance agents promising to qualify them for
the Veterans Aid and Attendance pension, or any other pension offered by the
VA.
 
This scam, which is really just a variation on the trust mill, appears to be
spreading, and just yesterday, Montana's AG put out a warning about it:
http://www.doj.mt.gov/news/releases2010/20100701.asp
<https://mail.scccoa.org/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.doj.mt.gov/new
s/releases2010/20100701.asp> 
 
My agency has been working with California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform
to try to get to the bottom of this scam for almost three years now, ever
since a nonprofit claiming to be affiliated with the VA unleashed a number
of insurance agents representing themselves as "volunteers" onto our local
senior centers, ostensibly to educate veterans about their benefits.  It was
a Trojan Horse scam of the worst sort.
 
 We are interested in speaking with any affected elders or other persons who
may have insight into this scam.  We are especially interested in speaking
with elders who would be willing to talk to media, though this is certainly
not a requirement.  It also doesn't matter what state the elder lives in.
 
Thank a bunch!
 
Shawna Reeves, MSW, Program Coordinator
Fair Lending Project for Seniors
Council on Aging Silicon Valley
2115 The Alameda, San Jose, CA  95126
408-350-3229 / sreeves@scccoa.org <mailto:sreeves@scccoa.org> 
 
***************************************
 
 
 
 
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Veteran Benefits scam- note that the hook is aid/attendance benefits

Montana officials warn of scams targeting veterans

Several Montana officials gathered in Great Falls on Thursday to warn of scams that target veterans. They also announced the creation of an inter-agency working group to focus on preventing the financial exploitation of aging and disabled veterans.

Commissioner of Securities and Insurance Monica Lindeen, Attorney General Steve Bullock, and Veterans Affairs Division Director Joe Foster met with area veterans and their families at VFW Post 1087 to discuss the reported schemes.

According to veterans' advocates, the danger comes from unqualified individuals who set themselves up as financial advisors, claiming expertise in maximizing veterans benefits. While they sell themselves as experts, the advice they give to elderly or disabled veterans living in retirement communities and nursing homes across the state may actually put the veterans' financial future at risk.

Investigators with the Attorney General's Office of Consumer Protection and the Commissioner of Securities and Insurance Office are looking into allegations that this may be occurring in Montana.

Lindeen noted, "Criminals have no qualms about fabricating an affiliation with the military to gain trust. Salespeople have been known to peddle phony insurance and investment products, preying on military families' fears.and then disappearing with the money."

As Attorney General, Bullock oversees the Montana Department of Justice's Office of Consumer Protection; he said, "Our nation's aging veterans deserve to be protected, so today we are sending would-be scammers a message: 'We're watching and will take action against you,'"

The goal of the working group is to increase awareness of possible scams that target elderly or disabled veterans in nursing homes and assisted living centers.

According to Veterans Affairs Division Director Joe Foster, his agency has a staff of 21 assigned across the state to assist veterans in attaining their legitimate VA benefits and to serve as the veterans' advocate.

"These schemes, which aim to transfer elderly veterans' financial assets, are happening throughout the state," Foster said. "They are misleading, potentially fraudulent and financially devastating, and use VA pension and aid/attendance benefits as the 'hook.'"

Visit the Office of Consumer Protection website for more information and resources.

--

Mary Kavanaugh-Gahn(P53999)

Deputy Director

Legal Services of Northern Michigan

Traverse City, Michigan

www.lsnm.org

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