Yesterday, I voted to pass legislation to protect America’s veterans from scams, fraud, and financial exploitation. This legislation is critical and overdue—in 2023, the Federal Trade Commission reported that U.S. veterans and military retirees experienced a total of $350 million in fraud losses. 

While the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has worked to deal with this issue, this bill is about stronger prevention efforts. The Veteran Scam and Fraud Evasion (VSAFE) Act cracks down on scammers who target veterans. It establishes an office and Veterans Scam and Fraud Evasion Officer within the VA to provide security guidance, fraud prevention efforts, and threat monitoring. 

Most importantly, this bill will provide veterans relief knowing that their hard-earned benefits are safe from exploitation. Reducing fraud starts with a focused and consistent approach. America’s veterans’ benefits deserve protection and security, and America’s taxpayers deserve accountability.