HARRISBURG - Attorney General Bruce R. Beemer issued a reminder to service members and veterans to be aware of scams targeting the military community and their families.

Pension poachingThere are dishonest financial planners and advisers who target veterans and their families, offering assistance with filing paperwork or claiming they can help veterans qualify for Veterans Affairs benefits. These advisers often fail to fully explain the details or long-term consequences of their advice.• Don't pay for a service that is free. There is no cost for forms or to apply for veterans benefits, and you can get free assistance from trained veterans service officers across Pennsylvania.• Check the VA's accreditation of a person or group.• Ask an adviser what the impact of purchasing his product will be on your eligibility for other benefits such as Medicaid.• Take time to consider your options before signing a contract.• Don't be pressured into accepting an adviser's advice.• Get everything you've discussed in writing.• Don't believe a promise or guarantee offered by an adviser claiming they can secure A & A benefits. There are no guarantees.Dishonest businesses also target the military community through advertising, discounted merchandise.and services and financing. In many cases, only after making these purchases do service members and veterans become aware that they have been sold grossly overpriced jewelry, household goods and electronics with unreasonably high interest rates.Additionally, these businesses engage in abusive collection practices, including such tactics as constantly contacting service members' superiors, which causes some service members to lose security clearances and face other backlash.• Conduct comparison shopping of costs of both merchandise and financing.• Get referrals and recommendations from friends, family members and online sources.• Contact the Better Business Bureau to see whether the business is accredited and whether there are any complaints against the company.• Read any financing materials very closely and ask questions.CharitiesDisreputable charities capitalize on the selfless and generous nature of the military community by soliciting them for donations geared to benefit specific groups of veterans.Some of these entities have misrepresented themselves as well-known or respected charities.• Ask for and read literature about a charity before you make a donation.• Find out how much of your donation goes to helping people and program services, as opposed to fundraising and administrative expenses.• Do not feel pressured to contribute on the spot.• If you decide to contribute, pay by check. Make the check out to the charity, not to a company or the individual collecting the donations.Veterans who have questions or believe they are victims of these scams may call the Attorney General's Office of Military and Veterans Affairs at 717-783-1944 or email

pavets@attorneygeneral.gov.