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Lawmakers spotlight ‘claim sharks,’ push for criminal penalties and accreditation database

Veterans Affairs: House Committee · December 5, 2025

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Summary

Representative Stanton and others described predatory unaccredited representatives who charged veterans millions and urged the Guard VA Benefits / SAVE Act (HR 1746) to reinstate criminal penalties and create an updated searchable VA database of accredited representatives.

Representative Stanton told the committee that predatory, unaccredited companies—so‑called 'claim sharks'—took advantage of veterans seeking VA benefits, estimating veterans lost hundreds of millions of dollars in recent years and describing legislation to reinstate criminal penalties and require an updated, searchable database of accredited representatives.

Stanton said the proposed SAVE Act (HR 1746) would require the VA to maintain a public database and authorize a trademark for accredited representatives so veterans can distinguish legitimate assistance from scams. Ranking members and other lawmakers praised the proposal and said they would collaborate on implementation and outreach to transition programs.

No committee vote was held during Member Day, but members asked the VA and staff to follow up on enforcement authorities and better ways to publicize accredited assistance during transition assistance programming.