(Photo: SHVETS)

California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Senator Caroline Menjivar (D-San Fernando Valley) have introduced Senate Bill 1124, a legislative measure designed to address the pressing issue of predatory practices targeting Veterans.

The bill seeks to tackle the problem of “claim sharks,” individuals or organizations that charge Veterans for assistance with their benefits claims without proper accreditation.

Claim sharks operate without VA accreditation, bypassing professional standards, and may engage in misleading or fraudulent practices. Some of the exploitative tactics employed by claim sharks include promising to secure a disability rating or percentage increase, advertising expedited VA claims decisions, soliciting login credentials to access a Veteran’s personal data via secure VA platforms like eBenefits or VA.gov, enforcing predatory contractual agreements, and advising Veterans to bypass VA medical examinations while offering consultations through their own network of physicians, all of which is unlawful.

Veterans have the option to seek free assistance from accredited representatives, such as County Veteran Service Offices or VA-accredited agents, such as American Legion Service Officers. These accredited representatives undergo certification exams, background checks, and ongoing training to ensure they can provide competent representation to Veterans. However, unaccredited individuals often exploit Veterans by charging excessive fees for inadequate services, operating outside the VA accreditation system.

SB 1124 proposes several key measures to combat claim sharking. Among these measures, the bill would criminalize unauthorized access to the VA claims system by claim sharks using Veterans’ login information. Additionally, it would prohibit claim sharks from charging fees exceeding what VA-accredited representatives can legally charge. By imposing stricter regulations on those who assist Veterans with benefit claims, SB 1124 will protect Veterans from financial exploitation and ensure they receive the assistance they deserve.

Attorney General Bonta emphasizes the importance of safeguarding Veterans and ensuring that those who assist them with benefit claims adhere to regulations. He draws attention to the risks posed by claim sharks and urges the need for accountability in this area. Similarly, Senator Menjivar stresses the importance of protecting Veterans’ personal information, financial interests, and health by ensuring accredited advocates oversee their cases. By supporting SB 1124, both Attorney General Bonta and Senator Menjivar strive to provide essential protections for Veterans and uphold their rights.

Specifically, SB 1124 will prohibit anyone from receiving payment for assisting with Veterans’ benefit claims unless accredited by the VA. Furthermore, it criminalizes unauthorized access to VA computer systems by claim sharks and limits the fees they can charge. These provisions are significant steps in addressing the problem of claim sharking and ensuring that Veterans receive fair and competent assistance with their benefit claims.

SB 1124 forms part of Attorney General Bonta’s broader initiative to protect Veterans from exploitation. Past efforts include prosecuting individuals like Don Azul for defrauding Veterans’ relatives, supporting federal legislation against Veteran financial exploitation, sponsoring bills like SB 1311 to safeguard California Service Member and Veteran rights, issuing consumer alerts about scams targeting Veterans, and pursuing legal action against entities like the Neptune Society for failing to provide necessary disclosures regarding Veterans’ benefits seminars. 

Author: Rikki Almanza

Rikki is a Web Content Coordinator for the American Legion, Department of California. With a deep-rooted connection to the military, a spouse who is a Navy veteran, a father who served in the Air Force for 25 years, and a grandfather who proudly served, Rikki is committed to using her skills and knowledge to provide valuable assistance and resources to servicemembers and veterans.