加州总检察长 Rob Bonta 发消费者警示：提防盯上退伍军人福利的「索赔鲨鱼」
加州总检察长 Rob Bonta 11月10日发布消费者警示，提醒退伍军人提防一类盯上军人福利的收费代理：他们没有取得联邦退伍军人事务部（VA）的认证，却以加快索赔、保证提高补偿额等说法招揽退伍军人收费。Bonta 把这类人称作「索赔鲨鱼」（claim sharks）。警示在退伍军人节前发布。
警示说，合法的索赔协助本应免费。各县的退伍军人服务办公室、加州退伍军人事务厅（CalVet）的合作机构，以及经过 VA 认证的退伍军人服务组织，都能免费帮退伍军人准备和提交福利索赔。经过 VA 认证的代理人要通过考试与背景审查、完成培训，并遵守联邦的执业与收费规则；退伍军人可在 VA 的公开数据库里查询对方是否持有认证。
加州参议院第694号法案（SB 694）已进一步限制协助准备索赔可收取的费用。Bonta 表示，退伍军人服役多年、不该在回家后还要面对盯着他们福利的骗子；他呼吁退伍军人在付费请人办索赔前，先核实对方有没有 VA 认证，优先使用县退伍军人服务办公室等免费渠道。
California Attorney General Bonta Warns Veterans About 'Claim Sharks' Targeting Their Benefits
California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued a consumer alert on November 10 warning veterans about unaccredited claims agents, which he called 'claim sharks,' that charge fees while promising to expedite claims or guarantee higher disability ratings. The alert was issued ahead of Veterans Day.
Legitimate claims help is free, the alert says. County veteran service offices, partners of the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) and VA-accredited veterans service organizations can help veterans prepare and file benefit claims at no cost. Accredited representatives must pass an examination and background check, complete training and follow federal rules on conduct and fees; veterans can verify accreditation through the VA's public database.
California Senate Bill 694 further caps what may be charged for help preparing a claim. Bonta said veterans who gave years of their lives in service should not come home to scammers targeting their benefits, and urged them to check accreditation before paying anyone, and to use free channels such as county veteran service offices first.
来源：加州总检察长办公室
发布：GSM·美国（发布链接）
图片来源：图：加州总检察长办公室所在大楼（GSM 加州固定图库）。 / Photo: The building housing the California Attorney General's Office (GSM California fixed image library).
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