WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and Representatives Chellie Pingree and Bruce Poliquin are warning Maine veterans to beware of a scam where imposters attempt to imitate the Veterans Choice Program (VCP) phone line.

Through this scam, a phone line has been set up by an unknown party to potentially mimic the VCP phone line. The imposter phone line may be intended to reach veterans who inadvertently dial the VCP number incorrectly.

“We urge all Maine veterans to take extra care when dialing the Veterans Choice Program phone line and to ensure they have the correct number so they are not at risk,” said Senators Collins and King and Representatives Pingree and Poliquin in a joint statement. “It is critical that people throughout the community are aware of these malicious attempts to steal personal information and money from our nation’s veterans, and we encourage Maine people to share this information so that no veterans fall victim to this despicable trap.”

The correct VCP phone line is 1-866-606-8198. This line is for veterans to check their eligibility for the VCP and ask questions about the program. The phone line established to “mimic” the VCP phone line is 1-800-606-8198.

Veterans will know they have reached the wrong VCP phone line when: 1) The phone line offers callers a $100 rebate if the caller provides a credit card; and 2) The phone line does not state the caller has reached the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs of the VCP phone line.

If veterans are unsure if they have reached the correct phone line, they should hang up and dial 1-866-606-8198 again. The phone line will inform callers that they have reached the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Veterans who believe they have been scammed can report it to the Senate Aging Committee’s Fraud Hotline at 1-855-303-9470.

The Choice Program, which was established in 2014 by legislation that reformed the Department of Veterans Affairs, aims to allow veterans to receive care within their communities based on wait times or distance from a VA medical facility.

The Veterans Choice Program Phone Line Imposter Fact Sheet, released by the VA, can be seen in full HERE.

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