The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is warning veterans about scammers who impersonate the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) or claim to be VA-approved and offer to help veterans apply for benefits, increase their disability rating or speed up a claim in exchange for a fee.

The key message is simple: Veterans should never have to pay to apply for VA benefits. The VA provides assistance with initial claims for free, and VA-accredited representatives and recognized Veterans Service Organizations can also provide help without charging veterans to apply.

Funeral directors serve veterans and their families every day and are trusted sources of information in their communities. NFDA encourages you to share this FTC alert through your funeral home’s social media channels, newsletters or other community outreach efforts, and directly with veterans and their families when appropriate. A simple share could help someone recognize a scam before losing money or providing personal information to a fraudster.

Read and share the FTC’s Veterans: Don’t Pay to Apply for VA Benefits alert

If you or someone you serve encounters a suspected VA impersonation scam, the FTC also encourages reporting it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.