Fake VA texts about a problem with your benefits

The Scam

According to an Oct. 23, 2026 VA News article from the VA Office of Information and Technology, a Veteran gets a text that looks like it's from VA warning of an issue with their benefits. The message tells them to click a link, verify their personal information and enter a code to "avoid delays" in their payment. The link leads to a fake website meant to steal login details, other sensitive information and benefits. VA says this kind of fraud attempt happens often to real Veterans, and that fraudsters may pretend to be a VA official, a doctor or nurse, a bank representative, another Veteran, or a friend or family member, sometimes using phishing emails, fake websites or deepfake audio and video.

The Targets

Veterans, their families and their caregivers.

Red flags

• A text that looks like it's from VA warning of an issue with your benefits
• A link asking you to verify your personal information
• A request to enter a code to "avoid delays" in your payment
• Urgent pressure to act right away

Your Move

• Don't click the link. Pause and verify by contacting the VA office tied to the topic of the message yourself, such as the VA benefits hotline
• Use multi-factor authentication, keep software updated, and avoid sharing logins, VA advises
• Report scams related to VA benefits at 833-388-7233 and scams related to VA health care at 866-842-4357
• For scams not related to VA, report to the FTC at 877-382-4357 or ReportFraud.ftc.gov

More steps for any scam link: I clicked a scam link. What now?

Still circulating?

VA warned about this on Oct. 23, 2026, saying it happens often to real Veterans and that cyber fraud is a growing risk.