The House of Representatives has approved H.R. 1663, known as the Veterans Scam and Fraud Evasion (VSAFE) Act. The bill, introduced by Congressman Ken Calvert of California’s 41st District, aims to enhance protections for veterans against scams and fraud.
The legislation will create a Veterans Scam and Fraud Evasion Officer within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This new position is intended to centralize and coordinate efforts to prevent fraudulent activities targeting veterans.
“We owe it to our veterans to protect them from scams and fraud that could cause serious financial and personal hardship,” said Rep. Calvert. “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.”
A recent report from the Federal Trade Commission indicated that U.S. veterans and military retirees lost $350 million due to fraud in 2023. Currently, various departments address these issues separately within the VA and other agencies. The VSAFE Act seeks to streamline these efforts by assigning a dedicated officer responsible for all fraud prevention initiatives at the VA.
By providing veterans with consistent information on how to recognize, report, and avoid fraudulent schemes, supporters hope this measure will reduce incidents of scams targeting those who have served.
Congressman Ken Calvert has represented California’s 41st District since 1993. He was born in Corona, California in 1953, where he currently resides. Calvert graduated from San Diego State University in 1975 with a Bachelor of Arts degree.
