May 22, 2018

ATTENTION: Maine Bureau of Veterans? Services warns veterans of developing phishing scam

AUGUSTA, Maine (May 22, 2018) ? The Maine Bureau of Veterans? Services (MBVS) is warning veterans, military retirees and their families of a developing email 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 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

If you have received a similar email, please contact the Maine Bureau of Veterans? Services immediately at 207-430-6035.