The U.S. House of Representatives on Jan. 20 advanced a GOP-led bill sponsored by U.S. Rep. Ken Calvert (R-CA) that would establish a Veterans Scam and Fraud Evasion Officer at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
The Veterans Scam and Fraud Evasion (VSAFE) Act, H.R. 1663, which Rep. Calvert introduced last February alongside six original cosponsors, including U.S. Reps. Mike Bost (R-IL), Tom Cole (R-OK), David Valadao (R-CA), and Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ), now moves to the U.S. Senate for action.
“We owe it to our veterans to protect them from scams and fraud that could cause serious financial and personal hardship,” Rep. Calvert said. “The VSAFE Act will make sure the VA has the tools it needs to prioritize the coordination of its scam and fraud prevention activities. I thank my House colleagues for standing with me to have the backs of our veterans.”
U.S. military veterans and retirees reported $350 million in total fraud losses in 2023, according to a report from the Federal Trade Commission.
While a number of departments and staff work in an uncoordinated manner to combat fraud within the VA and other agencies, the VSAFE Act would establish the Veterans Scam and Fraud Evasion Officer, who would be responsible for fraud and scam prevention, reporting, and incident response plans at the VA.
Additionally, H.R. 1663 would extend certain loan fee rates through June 23, 2034, under the VA’s home loan program, according to the Congressional Record bill summary.
By providing veterans with more consistent guidance on how to identify, report, and avoid fraud and scam attempts, lawmakers would help reduce such occurrences and protect their hard-earned benefits, said Rep. Calvert.