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Possible Bogus Veteran's Group Alert

By The Armorer on December 15, 2010 | | Comments (6)
An organization called Veterans Affairs Services (VAS) is providing benefit and general information on VA (this is okay) and gathering personal information on veterans (this is problematic).
This organization (which can be found at http://www.vaservices.org/us/index.html) is not affiliated with VA in any way. VAS may be gaining access to military personnel through their close resemblance to the VA name and seal. VA's Legal Counsel has requested that VA coordinate with DoD to inform military installations, particularly mobilization sites, of this group and their lack of affiliation or endorsement by VA to provide any services.

In addition, the GC requests that if you have any examples of VAS acts that violate chapter 59 of Title 38 United States Code, such as VAS employees assisting veterans in the preparation and presentation of claims for benefits, that you contact your local VA office and request that they pass the information to Michael G. Daugherty, Staff Attorney, Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of General Counsel (022G2). [Source: Kevin Secor, VSO Liaison, Office of the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs 25 Nov 2010 ++]
 

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6 Comments

By AW1 Tim on December 15, 2010 8:12 AM

 Lovely. Just in time for the holidays, too.  :)
 
By R Jewell on December 15, 2010 8:22 AM
Makes you wonder.  Most of their website hasn't been updated in over six years, the front page over 4 years ago.  They show only Montgomery GI Bill availability. 

The vast majority of their links to VA forms no longer work, so they're not spreading much information. 

Since they've apparently been at it for over six years, flying under the radar, what got the world's attention all of a sudden today?
   
By John of Argghhh! on December 15, 2010 9:04 AM
My guess is someone brought it to VA's attention, they did a little due diligence, and decided to go public.  I think the VA mostly relies on people reporting this sort of thing, vice going out and looking for it.
 
By Argent on December 15, 2010 11:41 AM
Might be some kind of harvester site or possibly run by a not so good one man band.
 
By Grumpy on December 15, 2010 1:03 PM
Looks rather interesting, just by looking at it, the emblem and the link's raise major, “problematic” issues. Now, it clearly states that it's not a part of the United States Government.  Most people look at pictures or illustrations, this would include the emblem, it looks rather official. Take a bit of time and look at the link's listen on the left-hand side of the webpage. It suggests, I can only say suggest because I don't know, I don't have evidence. I do believe, it would be in everybody''s best interest for the VA, through their Office of Inspector General, to have a little “Behind the woodshed chat”, just to clear up some possible potential misunderstandings. The problem here is this without any “Federal Court Compliant Evidence”, the VA can actually do nothing.  But it would be nice to send them a Christmas message, from Uncle Sam.  ;-)

As to "R. Jewell's" comment about the site has not been updated for over six years, somebody owns that bandwidth and therefore, is responsible for it. Now, the owners of the website, I believe should get Uncle Sam's undivided attention. It's an amazing thing when people get this type of attention. If what they're doing is lawful, under this type of spotlight, it will show their good work. But, on the other hand, if there is a questionable practice, that will also come out.

The VA is supposed to be proactive, they are supposed to find the problem before the Vet. These guys and gals have already gone through enough, they should not be required to navigate a financial or legal minefield to get what they have earned. I can already hear the"Auld Pharts" saying,  “Yeah, right!  Grumpy,  you're a male, last time we checked. There is better chance of you giving birth to identical triplets!” The problem is they are correct. 

Argent, You just may be right on this concept of a “harvesting site”. In fact you look at the site, you see many places where this could possibly occur. This is the reason I would like  the VA Office of Inspector General to send them a letter from them, actually the  US Government, about these  concerns. I would love it, if they got a “Greetings Letter From the President of The United States”.   I was already in the Military and I still received my “Greetings Letter”.