Maine State Agency Warning Veterans About Phishing Scam

The Maine Bureau of Veteran's Affairs is warning our state's veterans of a phishing scam that is happening.

Veteran's, military retirees and their families are receiving emails that appear to come from the Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management.  These emails are "requesting action regarding the disbursement of funds."

The agency posted a Facebook Post giving us information about this scam and what to look out for.

The post includes the following information about the emails:

*Alert*

The Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services is warning veterans of a developing phishing scam!

Fraudulent emails have been sent to veterans, military retirees and their family members requesting action regarding the disbursement of funds. The email appears to come from the Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management, however the email address displayed is a “.aol” domain.

This is not a legitimate government email address and is not an official communication from the Maine Department of Veterans and Emergency Management nor the Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services.

The fraudulent email states that, “VETERAN INFORMATION IS REQUIRED. ATTACHED IS THE DOCUMENT FOR THE SPECIFIED INFORMATION NEEDED TO EFFECT DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS. NOTE: FILL THE REQUESTED FORM BEFORE THE STIPULATED TIME FRAME.”

The post goes on to tells veterans that The Maine Bureau of Veteran's Affairs would NEVER request personal information by email and provides tips to avoid becoming vulnerable to a phishing scam :

The Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services reminds veterans, retirees and their family members that the Bureau will never request personal information via email and to beware of phishing emails. To avoid falling victim to these scams:

1. Be aware of emails from unfamiliar senders
2. Do not provide personal information via email
3. Do not click on links or attachments you do not trust
4. Do not forward the email

Contact the agency if you have received this or a similar email by calling (207)430-6035.