(Photo: Anna Shvets)

As more Veteran services move online and scams become increasingly sophisticated, protecting personal information has become critical, especially for older Veterans who are often targeted by criminals. Bad actors seek to steal identities, access VA benefits, or obtain broad financial information.

The VA urges Veterans to remain cautious about what they share, how they share it, and who is requesting the information.

What Counts as Sensitive Information

Sensitive personal information, often called Personally Identifiable Information or PII, includes details that can be used to identify, locate, or impersonate a Veteran. This information should only be shared when necessary and only through verified, official VA or government channels.

Sensitive personal and financial information includes:

• Social Security number (SSN)

• VA file number or Veteran ID number

• Date and place of birth

• Home or mailing address

• Phone number and personal email address

• Bank account and routing numbers

• Credit or debit card information

• Medical records, diagnoses, or prescription details

Military-related information is also sensitive and should be protected:

• Branch of service

• Dates of service

• Service or serial number

• Deployment locations or combat history

• Discharge status
• Copies or photos of DD Form 214 or other military documents

Even information that seems harmless on its own can become dangerous when combined. For example, sharing a birth date, branch served, and years of service may give criminals enough information to impersonate a Veteran when contacting the VA or financial institutions.

Using Websites and Public Comment Sections With Caution

Veterans should exercise caution when posting comments on websites, forums, or news pages where comments are public and visible to anyone, such as CALegion.org. Some sites, including Veteran-focused community platforms, allow comments that the general public can read. Sharing personal details such as full names, service history, unit information, or benefit issues in public comment sections can expose Veterans to scams or unwanted contact. Before posting, Veterans should assume that anything written in a public comment area can be seen, saved, or misused by others.

Using Social Media Safely

Social media allows Veterans to stay connected with family, friends, and former peers, but it also presents risks. Public posts can unintentionally reveal personal details such as birthdays, military history, or location information. Photos of military documents, VA letters, or benefit statements should never be shared online. Veterans are encouraged to review privacy settings regularly, limit posts to trusted contacts, and avoid sharing travel plans or real-time location updates that could indicate when a home is unoccupied.

Common Scams Targeting Veterans

Scammers often pretend to represent government agencies, banks, charities, or Veteran-related organizations. They may contact Veterans by phone, email, text, or social media and create urgency by claiming there is a problem that requires immediate action. Legitimate organizations do not request sensitive information, such as Social Security numbers or banking details, through unsolicited messages. Veterans should stop the interaction and verify any request using a trusted website or official phone number found independently.

Steps Veterans Can Take Today

Veterans can reduce their risk by using trusted, secure websites, avoiding public comment sections when discussing personal matters, and limiting what they share on social media. Personal information should never be posted publicly or shared unless the request has been independently verified through an official source. Strong passwords, multi-factor authentication, and regular reviews of privacy settings add important layers of protection.

By being mindful of what is shared online and where it is shared, Veterans can better protect their identities, finances, and hard-earned benefits.

Author: Rikki Almanza

Rikki is a Web Content Coordinator for the American Legion, Department of California. With a deep-rooted family connection to the military, Rikki is committed to using her skills and knowledge to provide valuable assistance and resources to servicemembers and veterans.