Scamming of Veterans is exposed in Congress

Its unfortunate that there are companies that attempt to scam the one group of people that we should be helping the most.  Utah Department of Veterans Affiars Director Terry Schow is to be credited for bringing attention to the issue of companies that scam vulnerable veterans from their pensions.  The story was reported locally in the Salt Lake Tribune.  Widespread abuse by so called counseling companies market their services by providing counseling services and require sometimes exorbitant fees by “enrolling” them into a pension benefits program.  Many of the companies have misleading names such as the Veterans Benefits Foundation that some may mistake to be associated with the VA.  Unlike many VA compensation claims whereby many appeals may be required to succeed on a claim most Veterans can be enrolled in a pension program without too much hassle.  Legislation is being considered that would make such businesses and poaching subject to criminal fraud like sanctions.