Veterans: Think twice before paying for advice

For nearly 10 years, a Washington couple, Peter and Carolyn Cook, claimed to help their clients navigate applications for state and federal need-based programs for necessary care — namely, Medicaid and veterans’ Aid and Attendance benefits. But Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson says they failed to do that and filed a lawsuit alleging the Cooks deceptively promised veterans they would provide attorneys to review the veterans’ applications and assets. The Cooks also did not have the Department of Veterans Affairs accreditation needed to advise and charge their clients regarding benefits. Only accredited agents or attorneys may charge veterans a fee to prepare such paperwork and only in certain circumstances. In fact, some veterans service organizations offer vets and spouses free help submitting applications.

As despicable as it is, some scammers prey on the hard-earned benefits of veterans. According to the complaint, the Cooks charged “consultation” fees from $2,500 to $5,900 to more than 75 clients since 2008, at least 10 of whom were veterans. An elderly military spouse paid the Cooks $2,500 to assist with an application for medical benefits for her husband, a disabled veteran. Had the Cooks been honest and qualified in their practice, they would have said the veteran’s income exceeded the qualifying threshold, and the spouse would not be entitled to the benefits she sought. Instead, the Cooks submitted the application, which was denied. The Cooks then said they could provide her with additional advice for $2,400.

To help prevent the recurrence of scams against veterans, read more about pitfalls in applying for Aid and Attendance benefits and visit the FTC’s Military Consumer for more free resources for those who have served – or who continue to serve.