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Veterans service office reports rise in predatory claims assistance; urges public outreach
Summary
County Veterans Service Office reported recent cases of veterans and families being targeted by for-profit claims agents; staff urged commissioners to help distribute information and links to vetted resources.
Jeff Oakley, director of the county Veterans Service Office, told the commission on Jan. 13 that staff have identified families in Sumner County targeted by for-profit “claims shark” firms that overcharge veterans and provide poor service.
Oakley said the office has helped at least one family recover benefits and that local VFW posts are publishing warnings and naming some problematic firms on their websites. “We identified another family in the county that was falling prey to the VA and VFW referred to as claim sharks,” Oakley said. He urged the county and commissioners to help share links and information to warn veterans and families.
Commissioners unanimously approved items B, C and D related to veterans services as recommended by committee and asked Oakley to provide materials the county can distribute, such as a link or short advisory for social media and county email lists.
Oakley and commissioners said federal legislation proposing criminal penalties for predatory actors exists but has not yet made such behavior broadly criminal; they encouraged local outreach in the meantime.
