Baldwin, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Protect Veterans from Being Scammed by Claims Sharks

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin joined her colleagues in introducing legislation to protect veterans and their earned benefits from the scamming practices of claims sharks and other predatory actors.

The Stopping Abuse, Fraud, and Exploitation by Governing Unaccredited Representatives Defrauding (SAFEGUARD) Veterans Act would clarify that only accredited individuals can assist veterans with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefit claims. And it would reinstate criminal penalties for unaccredited agents who charge veterans extortionate fees for assistance with VA disability claims-a service provided for free by VA and accredited nonprofits. While federal law prohibits this activity, predatory actors have used loopholes to avoid prosecution and federal agencies are limited in their ability to enforce the law without criminal penalties.

"Wisconsin veterans have served and sacrificed for our nation, and it's our duty to ensure they get the care they need when they return home. These brave men and women earned their benefits, and it's our job to stop any bad actors who try to take advantage and scam them," said Senator Baldwin. "I am proud to work with my colleagues to stand up for our veterans and safeguard the benefits that they deserve."

Among its many provisions, the SAFEGUARD Veterans Act would:

• Reestablish criminal penalties for unaccredited claims representatives scamming veterans;
• Prohibit VA accreditation of any person found guilt of unauthorized solicitation, charging, or receiving compensation for assisting with VA benefit claims;
• Close loopholes exploited by unaccredited actors to skirt federal prohibitions on unaccredited agents assisting veterans with VA benefit claims;
• Prohibit the use of robocall technology to obtain VA claims information-targeting claim sharks who spam VA call centers to gain unauthorized access to veterans' claims information;
• Require VA to establish a system to track accredited agents and where veterans can report scammers; and
• Increase warnings to veterans about claim sharks and other predatory practices of unaccredited agents.

The legislation follows a NPR investigation that revealed private companies continue to make millions by extorting veterans, despite knowing their actions are likely illegal.

Senator Baldwin has long led the charge to support and protect veterans. In 2023, Senator Baldwin introduced the Commitment to Veteran Support and Outreach (CVSO) Act, bipartisan legislation to expand a community-based outreach program that helps veterans learn about and access their earned benefits. The legislation was signed into law in 2025 and just last month, Senator Baldwin led a bipartisan effort urging the Trump administration to quickly implement the legislation.

The SAFEGUARD Veterans Act is led by U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and U.S. Representative Chris Pappas (D-NH-01) and also co-sponsored by Senators Angus King (I-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Bernard Sanders (I-VT), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Jacky Rosen (D-NM), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), and Peter Welch (D-VT).

The legislation is supported by National Association of County Veterans Service Officers (NACVSO), Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Disabled American Veterans (DAV), and The American Legion.

"NACVSO supports the SAFEGUARD Veterans Act of 2026 and its efforts to restore integrity within the VA claims process," said NACVSO President Andrew Tangen. "VA-accredited representatives operate under federal oversight, training requirements, and ethical standards designed to protect veterans, while unaccredited claims agents have increasingly exploited enforcement gaps while profiting from veteran injuries and illnesses. This legislation takes bad profit incentives away from unscrupulous claims agents by restoring criminal penalties for unauthorized assistance, improving transparency, modernizing accreditation oversight, and increasing awareness of predatory practices. No veteran should ever have to pay for initial claim services and those who have illegally profited must be held accountable."

"For too long, unaccredited claims consultants have exploited veterans and survivors by charging excessive, unlawful fees for assistance they are not authorized to provide. The SAFEGUARD Veterans Act restores accountability, strengthens protections for veterans navigating the VA claims process, and reinforces the critical role of accredited veterans service organizations, attorneys, and claims agents who are held to rigorous standards," said MOAA President and CEO Lt. Gen. Brian T. Kelly, USAF (Ret). "MOAA applauds lawmakers for introducing this important legislation to preserve the integrity of the VA benefits system and ensure veterans are not targeted by predatory actors seeking to profit off of service-earned benefits."

"DAV strongly supports the SAFEGUARD Veterans Act to help combat a serious and ongoing threat: unethical individuals who prey on veterans navigating the complex VA claims process and charge fees for help that should be free and accredited," said DAV National Service Director Scott Hope. "By reinstating criminal penalties for unaccredited claims assistance, streamlining the accreditation process, and making public those who have been barred from VA accreditation, this bill puts teeth back into protections that veterans need, deserve, and have earned. Passage of this legislation would demonstrate our nation's unwavering commitment to honor and protect all who have served because every veteran deserves strong, honest advocacy when seeking earned benefits-not opportunists seeking to profit."

Full text of the legislation is available here.

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