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Written by: Elizabeth Larson

Published: 14 July 2023

Created: 14 July 2023

Last Updated: 14 July 2023

In recognition of Military Consumer Month — which is observed every July — State Attorney General Rob Bonta on Thursday issued a consumer alert to help protect California service members, veterans, and their family members from targeted common scams and fraud.

California is home to the largest population of active duty service members and reservists, and veterans in the nation.

Scammers often target the military community: according to the Federal Trade Commission, military consumers nationwide reported over 93,000 fraud complaints last year, including 39,909 imposter scams that reportedly cost them and their families over $164 million.

“California service members and their families should never have to worry about becoming targets for predatory scammers,” said Attorney General Bonta. “Throughout Military Consumer Month, and all year round, I urge California’s military community to learn the warning signs and take the necessary precautions to protect themselves. If you have fallen victim to a scam or suspect fraudulent activity, please report it to your local authorities or to the California Department of Justice at oag.ca.gov/report. As part of our commitment to protect those who protect us, my office will continue to bring the full force of the law against those who seek to exploit the goodwill of California’s military community.”

Why is the military community targeted?

Military service members, veterans, and their families are frequently targeted for access to their military government benefits. In addition, the camaraderie that unites the military community is often exploited by impostors who claim to be veterans in attempts to access personal information for fraudulent purposes.

Common Scams targeting the military community:

Scammers use a variety of tactics to gain trust. Protect yourself by staying up to date on common military- and veteran-targeted scams. Beware of the following:

Charity scams: Just because a charity includes the word “veteran” in its name doesn’t mean that veterans are members of the group, or that veterans or their families will benefit from a donation. Scammers will use names that sound legitimate or those that mimic the names of well-known charities to create confusion. Take the time to make an informed decision and be wary of aggressive solicitations. Go to oag.ca.gov/charities, under the Resources & Tools section, and click on Registry Verification Search. If a charity is not listed, it should not be soliciting funds in California. If it is listed, you can view its financial reports, including the IRS Form 990 that the charity is required to file with DOJ's Registry of Charitable Trusts.

Predatory schools: The GI Bill and other military education programs offer you the chance to attend school and plan for your future, but for-profit schools sometimes target service members and veterans with false promises. Slow down and take the time you need to make the right decision. Predatory schools often use high-pressure sales tactics to try to get you to sign up. It’s important to ask for information about the programs, such as graduation rates, job placement, and graduate salary information. Offers that seem too good to be true generally are. Further, don't forget that educational opportunities at the California Community Colleges, California State University, and University of California may be available to you.

Home loan scams: Be aware of scammers that — through phone calls or fraudulent mailers — claim to be affiliated with the government, the Department of Veterans Affairs, or your home loan servicer. These fraudsters may attempt to convince you to agree to loan modifications, refinance your home, or make payments on your loans. Be cautious of any individual or lender that contacts you and asks you to pay fees upfront before receiving any services; tells you to cancel your mortgage payment and resend the funds elsewhere; tells you to make payments to someone other than your current loan servicer; or pressures you to sign papers you haven’t had a chance to read thoroughly or that you don’t understand — including asking you to sign over the title to your property.

Identity theft and fraud: Some scammers will pretend to be from the Department of Defense, Department of Veterans Affairs, or other official organizations in order to get your personal information so that they can commit identity theft or fraud. Before you provide any information, always make sure a request is coming from an official organization by doing a quick search on the internet or consulting a trusted source to get the organization’s real contact information. Never trust the contact information given by the person that is asking for your personal information, as scammers often give out fake contact information. Be wary of letters and emails that have misspellings, look unprofessional, or send you to a non-government website for information or action, as these are almost always fake. Lastly, never give out your Social Security number to receive military or veteran discounts. Scammers often promise military or veteran discounts in order to obtain personal information.

Job scams: Service members looking for new career opportunities after leaving service are a target for scammers posting fictitious job listings with the goal of stealing their personal information and finances. Avoid becoming a victim of job scams by conducting thorough research on the company. Additionally, stick to well-known job search platforms and government career websites when looking for job opportunities. Remember, legitimate employers will never require you to pay fees for applications, interviews, or background checks. You should also look out for fake check scams, which occur when a scammer posing as an employer sends you a counterfeit check to deposit into your account. The scammer will then ask you to send a portion of the funds back to them or a third party, while letting you keep some as payment. Eventually, the bank reverses the fake check, leaving you stuck paying the money back to the bank. If something feels off or suspicious during the job search, trust your instincts and end communication immediately.

Pension scams: Veterans ages 65 and over are targeted by scam financial advisers who try to persuade senior veterans to buy costly annuities or transfer their assets into trusts, or pay unnecessary and illegal fees for help with a veterans pension application. These "advisers" claim to help veterans qualify for Aid and Attendance or other veterans benefits, but may cause you to lose eligibility or access to pension, disability, or healthcare benefits. If you are interested in Aid and Attendance or other veterans benefits, you can get free help from your County Veterans Service Office here.

Affinity fraud: Affinity scams target members of identifiable groups, including the military. The perpetrators are — or pretend to be — members of the targeted group, and use sales pitches that rely on group trust and loyalty. In the military community, this includes exploiting the trust that service members have for their fellow service members, and for veterans who previously served. Don't make a significant purchase, or an investment decision, based on the salesperson's supposed military service, or the claim that a business is military-friendly or endorsed by the Armed Forces. Take a tactical pause, and shop around for the best deal.

Debt collection and illegal threats: Debt collectors may try to trick or scare service members into making payments on debts. It is illegal for debt collectors to do any of the following: revoke your security clearance; contact your command in order to collect a debt (unless they have your consent, given after the debt came due, to do so); discipline or demote you; or garnish your pay. If a debt collector is trying to collect a debt that you do not owe or have already paid, dispute the debt in writing. Tell the debt collector why you do not owe the debt, include copies of any evidence you have, and mail this dispute to the debt collector using registered mail so that you have proof that the collector received it — and make sure to keep copies of everything for yourself. If you dispute the debt within 30 days after the collector first contacted you, the collector must stop collection until it shows you written proof of the debt.

Rental housing scams: These scams target military personnel looking for housing near a base, especially prevalent during the Permanent Change of Station season. Scammers pretend to be real estate agents and post fake ads for rental properties on websites, sometimes promising military discounts and other incentives in order to get service members to send them money for fees and deposits upfront. If someone insists on receiving money or other payments before a property has been seen, it is likely a rental scam. Avoid wiring money to reserve apartments, and use your installation housing office or established property management companies to locate potential housing.

Predatory auto sales and financing: Car dealers located near military bases may try to lure service members with promises of special deals for military personnel. Often, these so-called deals conceal the terms of purchase for the vehicle and result in the service member drastically overpaying for both the vehicle and the cost of financing. For example, dealers may insist that military personnel will not qualify for financing unless they purchase overpriced and unnecessary add-ons. Other times, the dealer may tell a service member who just purchased a car that the initial financing fell through and insist on renegotiating for worse terms. You should not rely on oral promises, nor feel pressured to enter into any purchase, without first reading and understanding the contract. If you are looking to purchase a car, you should explore all of your options for financing — including by contacting your bank or credit union — before making a purchase.

Protect yourself from scams

Take advantage of free annual credit reports: You are entitled to one free credit report every year from each of the three national credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Your credit history contains information from financial institutions, utilities, landlords, insurers, and others. By checking your credit reports at least once a year, you can identify signs of identity theft, as well errors in your report that could be raising the cost of your credit. Order your free annual credit reports by phone, toll-free, at 1-877-322-8228, or online at www.annualcreditreport.com.

Place a fraud alert: If your identity is stolen, put a fraud alert on your credit report by contacting the three main credit reporting agencies: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Also, consider requesting a credit freeze, which will restrict access to your credit file, making it difficult for identity thieves to open new accounts in your name. Report identity theft right away and get a recovery plan at identitytheft.gov. Additionally, file a police report with your local sheriff or police department and keep a copy for your records.

Report suspicious activity: Never give out personal information to a lender or servicer that contacts you out of the blue. If you are feeling unsure, hang up and call your loan servicer directly at the number that is listed on your mortgage statement. Report suspicious activity to the Office of the Attorney General at oag.ca.gov/report and file a complaint with the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov.

Protect your online information and accounts with strong passwords: Protect yourself by using different, unique passwords for each of your online accounts. Make sure that the passwords you use are at least eight characters, including a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols.

Check your credit card bills and bank statements often: Look for unauthorized charges, withdrawals, or unexpected bills, and report irregular activity to your bank as soon as you see it. If you notice that a bill didn’t arrive on time, it may mean that someone has changed the contact information on your account in order to hide fraudulent charges. Don't share personal information: Be careful about what personal information you share, such as your address or financial information.

Sign up for the Enhanced Homeowner Notification Program: If you reside in Los Angeles County, you may sign up to receive mailed copies of documents recorded against your home, allowing you to review recorded real estate documents so you are aware of actions taken against your property.

If you believe you have been the victim or target of a scam, immediately contact your local police department or reach out to your base legal office. For the legal office’s contact information, ask your command or visit to legalassistance.law.af.mil/. California National Guard personnel can also obtain legal help at www.calguard.ca.gov. You may also file a complaint with the Office of the Attorney General at oag.ca.gov/report. For additional information on military-targeted scams, visit our website at oag.ca.gov/consumers/general/military.

Attorney General Bonta is committed to protecting service members, veterans, and their families. Here are some recent actions taken to protect California’s military community:

In April 2023, Attorney General Bonta filed a brief in the U.S. Supreme Court in support of U.S. veteran James R. Rudisill in his attempt to access educational benefits to which he is entitled under the GI Bill.

The brief urged the court to review an erroneous lower court decision denying Rudisill’s challenge of a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs ruling limiting his benefits.

In August 2022, Attorney General Bonta announced the arrest of Don Azul in connection with an alleged yearslong scheme to defraud families with relatives who served in the military, as well as the University of California and California State University systems.

In July 2022, Attorney General Bonta announced a more than $15 million settlement with Harris Jewelry for violations of state and federal consumer protection laws. The settlement resolved allegations that the nationwide jewelry retailer targeted military service members with dishonest sales and financing tactics at now-shuttered stores located near military bases across the country.

In March 2022, Attorney General Bonta announced his sponsorship of Senate Bill 1311. Signed into law by Governor Newsom, SB 1311 further strengthens financial and legal protections for active duty service members, veterans, and their families.

In June 2021, Attorney General Bonta and San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan announced that Paul Flanagan was sentenced to 357 days of house arrest and ordered to pay $500,000 in restitution for defrauding thousands of U.S. Navy sailors in San Diego County through a tax and insurance scheme. Another defendant, Ranjit Kalsi, was previously sentenced and ordered to pay $500,000 in restitution.

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Written by: Elizabeth Larson

Published: 11 July 2023

Created: 11 July 2023

Last Updated: 11 July 2023

Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-04) is urging veterans who are eligible to apply for PACT Act benefits before Aug. 9 to receive retroactive benefits.

“Our veterans answered the call to serve our country and earned VA benefits for themselves and their families,” said Thompson. “Last Congress, I proudly voted for the PACT Act to help us live up to the promise we made our vets. The PACT Act is a historic expansion of benefits for our veterans and I encourage all eligible veterans and their families in our district to apply for PACT Act benefits before Aug. 9 and receive backdated care through Aug. 10, 2022.”

Click here to learn about the PACT Act and to file a benefits claim.

The PACT Act is one of the largest health care and benefit expansion in VA history. The full name of the law is The Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics, or PACT, Act.

The PACT Act:

• Expands and extends eligibility for VA health care for Veterans with toxic exposures and veterans of the Vietnam, Gulf War and post-9/11 eras.
• Adds 20-plus more presumptive conditions for burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic exposures.
• Adds more presumptive-exposure locations for Agent Orange and radiation.
• Requires VA to provide a toxic exposure screening to every veteran enrolled in VA health care.
• Helps improve research, staff education and treatment related to toxic exposures.

If you’re a veteran or survivor, you can file claims now to apply for PACT Act-related benefits.

Thompson is proud to represent California’s Fourth Congressional District, which includes all or part of Lake, Napa, Solano, Sonoma and Yolo counties.

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Written by: Department of Veterans Affairs

Published: 23 June 2023

Created: 23 June 2023

Last Updated: 23 June 2023

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Department of Veterans Affairs announced that veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors can now report incidents of sexual assault or sexual harassment at VA facilities by calling 1-800-MyVA411 (1-800-698-2411, option 9).

Whenever someone calls the hotline, they will be able to confidentially report incidents of sexual assault or harassment that occur at VA facilities. The call center will be ready to answer the phones 24/7, and follow-up health care and support will also be made available to those in need.

This new capability is part of VA’s “no wrong door” reporting policy for sexual assault or sexual harassment. Veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors are also encouraged to report incidents of sexual harassment or sexual assault as soon as they occur, including while they are still at the VA facility. These incidents can be reported directly to VA police, VA staff, or local law enforcement, and now also by calling 1-800-MyVA411.

“Maintaining a safe and welcoming environment at all VA facilities for veterans, their caregivers, volunteers, visitors and employees is a key priority for the Department,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough. “By creating multiple avenues for persons to report sexual harassment or sexual assault incidents, the VA removes barriers to reporting and creates a quicker path for VA to investigate and take appropriate action.”

VA has a zero-tolerance policy for sexual assault and sexual harassment, which means VA expects and actively works to create a culture free of such incidents.

VA believes that reacting to sexual harassment and assault is not enough; instead, VA must achieve and sustain a proactively inclusive culture — supported by veteran and employee-centered policy, operations, engagement, training, and technology — such that VA prevents sexual harassment and sexual assault and ensures an excellent experience for each person VA serves and employs.

In addition to implementing this hotline, VA has taken many steps in recent years to prevent and address sexual harassment and sexual assault at VA facilities, and to support survivors.

These steps include designating points of contact at VA facilities to accept reports of harassment from veterans and visitors; implementing veteran safety surveys; providing bystander intervention training for staff and Veterans; encouraging employees and veterans to take the White Ribbon VA Pledge to never commit, excuse, or stay silent about sexual harassment, sexual assault, or domestic violence; and requiring facility remediation plans for those that obtain five or more founded sexual assault or sexual harassment incidents during a fiscal year.

VA also has an active Secretary’s Working Group on Sexual Assault and Harassment Prevention — a group of Veterans Service Organization representatives, advocates, State Directors of Veterans Affairs, tribal representatives, VA employees serving in a personal capacity, and survivors of sexual assault and harassment.

The input of this group, in addition to VA’s ongoing veteran engagement and outreach efforts, is informing VA’s way forward.

MyVA411 was launched in 2019 and served more than 1.5 million Veterans in fiscal year 2022. Customer Service Representatives answer inquiries, provide directory assistance, document concerns about VA care, benefits, and services, and expedite the referral and resolution of those concerns in addition to processing sexual harassment and sexual assault reports.

To learn more about reporting incidents of sexual harassment or sexual assault, visit VHA’s Assault and Harassment Prevention Office website. For more information about the MyVA411 contact line, visit 1-800-MyVA411: One phone number to reach VA.

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Written by: Elizabeth Larson

Published: 23 May 2023

Created: 23 May 2023

Last Updated: 23 May 2023

Military retirees and their surviving spouses are one step closer to seeing their armed forces pensions exempt from state taxation after the Assembly on Monday approved AB 46 on a bipartisan 77-0 vote. Several past attempts at similar legislation have failed to pass the house of origin.

The bill, AB 46, was introduced earlier this year by Assemblymember James C. Ramos (D-San Bernardino) who also authored a similar measure last year that did not make it out of the Assembly.

“I’m not one to give up on something I think is important,” Ramos said. “California is the only state to tax the pensions of our military personnel. We need to make the state more veteran friendly and honor the many sacrifices of our armed services personnel and their spouses.”

AB 46 tax benefits would begin on or after January 1, 2024, and before January 1, 2034.

Esmeralda Soria, chairperson of the Assembly Committee of the Military and Veterans Affairs Esmeralda Soria (D-Merced) and a joint author said: “I am proud to be a co-author on this important legislation that supports retired veterans and retains them in California.”

Ramos said the tax relief would help make California more veteran friendly. “Military retirees bring benefits to our state such as stability, job skills used in second careers, and federal funding. These men and women served our nation in a variety of valuable capacities, and they and their families have frequently done so at great personal sacrifice. California needs to more fully acknowledge the contributions they make.”

Jeffrey Breiten, retired Naval Officer and member of the California Council of Chapters of the Military Officers Association of America, endorsed the Ramos measure. “I want to thank Assemblymember James Ramos for his efforts. California is the only state in the nation that fails to provide an exemption on military retirement from state income taxes. California is home to the largest number of active-duty military personnel in the country, yet California’s military retiree population has realized a steady decline dating back to 2010. Military retirees contribute to the state's workforce development where they chose to retire. Our state loses out on millions of dollars in federal funds that follow military retirees after retirement.”

AB 46 is sponsored by the Military Officers Association of America and the California Council of Chapters Affiliated Military Officers Association of America. It is also supported by the San Diego Military Advisory Council, Orange Empire Military Officers Club, California Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States, California State Commanders Veterans Council, the San Diego County Taxpayers Association, and individual chapters of the military officers association.

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Written by: VETERANS AFFAIRS

Published: 04 April 2023

Created: 04 April 2023

Last Updated: 04 April 2023

On Monday, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced that eligible American Indian and Alaska Native veterans are no longer required to make copayments for health care and urgent care received through VA.

The Biden-Harris administration and VA are proud to implement this rule, which is estimated to impact approximately 25,000 American Indian and Alaska Native veterans.

Under this new policy, VA will reimburse copayments paid on or after Jan. 5, 2022, and waive future copayments for eligible American Indian and Alaska Native veterans.

Beginning Tuesday, April 4, veterans can submit documentation to qualify for the copayment exemption.

Eligible veterans include any veteran who meets the definitions of “Indian” or “urban Indian” under the Indian Health Care Improvement Act — including veterans who are members of an American Indian Tribe, certain veterans who are descendants of Tribe members, Alaska Native veterans and more.

“American Indian and Alaska Native veterans deserve access to world-class health care for their courageous service to our nation,” said VA Secretary Denis McDonough. “By eliminating copays, we are making VA health care more affordable and accessible — which will lead to better health outcomes for these heroes.”

To receive this financial relief, eligible Veterans should mail 1) a completed VA Tribal Documentation Form (VA Form 10-334), and 2) a copy of official tribal documentation demonstrating that they meet the definitions of “Indian” or “urban Indian” to PO Box 5100, Janesville, WI 53547.

For more information on copayment waivers for Native American and Alaska Native veterans, visit here.

VA posted a final rule for public inspection in the Federal Register today establishing the waiver and process for Veterans to submit documentation to have their VA copays waived. This rule implements Section 3002 of the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020 Public Law 116-315, signed into law Jan. 5, 2021.

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Written by: VETERANS AFFAIRS

Published: 26 August 2022

Created: 26 August 2022

Last Updated: 26 August 2022

SANTA ROSA, Calif. — Sonoma County veterans now have access to a newly built VA clinic, specifically designed with their health care needs in mind.

The new clinic, Santa Rosa VA Clinic South opened on Aug. 15.

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held on Wednesday, Aug. 24.

The new South Santa Rosa Clinic, located at 2285 Challenger Way, is the culmination of years of work.

Planning for the clinic has taken several years and construction of the $12 million clinic began in 2020.

It will not replace the existing VA clinic at 3841 Brickway Blvd. in the Airport Business Center north of Santa Rosa, but instead will add more services to complement those already offered to Sonoma County veterans.

“We’re very excited to have this clinic open and operational,” said Jia Li, Acting San Francisco VA Health Care System director. “We are now able to offer a multitude of services for our Veterans in a modern, healing environment. With two clinics now in Santa Rosa, many more Veterans will now have access to care right in their backyard, saving them the lengthy trip to San Francisco.”

The new clinic is just under 58,000 square feet, and this expanded footprint will allow for a dynamic team model for primary care, as well as provide ample space to expand mental health and other specialty care services.

Services available at the new Santa Rosa VA South Clinic include primary care, podiatry, dermatology, vascular, mental health, social work, women’s health, physical therapy, chiropractor, acupuncture, prosthetics, telemedicine, orthopedics, radiology, pharmacy, laboratory, member services and patient advocate.

The existing Santa Rosa VA Clinic, now named the Santa Rosa VA North Clinic, will remain operational and will provide audiology, optometry, supportive housing services (HUD VASH), member services, occupational therapy mobility, dental, home based primary care and veterans justice outreach.

The San Francisco VA Health Care System, or SFVAHCS, is a comprehensive network that provides health services to Veterans through the San Francisco VA Medical Center, or SFVAMC and community-based outpatient clinics in Oakland, Santa Rosa, Eureka, Ukiah, Clearlake, San Bruno and downtown San Francisco.

It has a long history of conducting cutting edge research, establishing innovative medical programs, and providing compassionate care to veterans.

The SFVAHCS has been affiliated with the University of California, San Francisco, or UCSF, School of Medicine for over 60 years. All physicians are jointly recruited by SFVAMC and UCSF School of Medicine.

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Written by: Operation Tango Mike

Published: 03 June 2022

Created: 03 June 2022

Last Updated: 03 June 2022

LAKEPORT – On Saturday, June 4, Linda’s Gift Gallery and Hallmark at 991 11th St. in Lakeport will host an event benefiting Operation Tango Mike, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Operation Tango Mike, Operation Thanks Much, is an all volunteer nonprofit that ships monthly care packages to deployed military personnel.

Since 2003, the group has shipped more than 24,000 care packages.

There will be prizes, raffles and more. Anyone bringing a donation item for military care packages will receive a shopping discount, and a portion of the day’s sales will be donated to Operation Tango Mike.

Suggested donation items include nuts, jerky, tuna pouches, protein bars, individual drink mixes, stick deodorant, foot/body powder and lip balm.

Hallmark owner Linda Banfill is a staunch supporter of Operation Tango Mike, and her sons were care package recipients during their Marine Corps deployments.

Come check out the beautifully remodeled store, see the new inventory and support the troops!

For further information or to add someone to the care package recipient list, please call 707-349-2838, e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.operationtangomike.org.

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Written by: DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Published: 27 April 2022

Created: 27 April 2022

Last Updated: 27 April 2022

As part of its annual campaign during Sexual Assault Awareness Month in April, the VA Northern California Health Care System, or VANCHCS, is working to increase awareness about the impact of military sexual trauma and VA’s free supportive treatments.

“Sexual assault is not a women’s issue; it’s a crime that can happen to anyone,” said Dr. Catherine Novotny, military sexual trauma, or MST, recovery coordinator at VANCHCS. “Veterans who experienced MST don’t have to heal alone. No matter how long it’s been, VA is here to help.”

Every April, VANCHCS joins the nation in recognizing Sexual Assault Awareness Month, or SAAM, and highlighting recovery support for those who may be suffering.

The goal is to reach former military service members who may not know VA resources exist or if they are eligible to use them.

Eligibility for VA MST treatment is broader than for most other VA health care services. Veterans do not need to have reported the incident when it occurred or have documentation to receive care.

In 2021, VANCHCS provided MST-related treatment to 2,409 Veterans across Northern California.

VANCHCS general mental health teams provide individual and group therapy and referrals for national VA MST residential programs. Veterans can also access web and app-based recovery tools and attend video appointments from home.

Northern California Veterans who would like to learn about VA support may call 925-372-2554 or visit www.va.gov/northern-california-health-care/programs/military-sexual-trauma-care.

Information about VA’s national MST-related services is available at www.mentalhealth.va.gov/msthome.