is veterans aid pac legitimate

As a fundraiser for charities, Zeitlin ran into trouble with regulators. Not only do the crooks have our vets in their sights but they also abuse their reputation by pulling off con tricks in their names. The PACs examined for this article typically handed over less than 10% of their take sometimes less than 1% to candidates or causes, Reuters found. A locked padlock Baker said he founded Salt Lake City fundraising firm American Public Resource because he hoped to support worthy goals like helping veterans. We could no longer say, We are helping police officers get body armor, but we could say, We are supporting efforts to get them body armor, said Jackie Armstrong, 32, a former Politicause employee. Log in to keep reading or access research tools. Disabled American Veterans | Better Business Bureau Profile Since President Biden signed the PACT Act into law Aug. 10, more than 213,000 PACT Act-related claims for benefits have been submitted. Please understand that the majority of us whites care very much. He couldnt wait to get off the phone. A locked padlock again. Even so, Reuters identified a loose network of fundraising companies and PACs that quickly grew into a money-making force, with some ranking near the top fundraisers in the period stretching from January 2017 through mid-2019. Fundraisers are seeing this is just another easy way to make a buck.. A lot of the line of reasoning we've seen from Republicans who have been wary to tweak the law is that they say it's a free speech issue and we don't want laws that might infringe on that. What is wrong with giving somebody a second chance? Zeitlin responded when Reuters asked about his hiring practices. Location: WASHINGTON , DC 20003. To accomplish this, it is important that we support the election of officials who will see this happens. At TPFE, callers said they told potential donors all proceeds went to defraying the cost of the appeal [for funds] and to accomplish the mission, said former employee Jake Adair, 28. Just enough to get them to stop asking, he added. Super PAC's Fundraising In Name Of Veterans Draws New Attention Interviews and records indicate managers at both firms once worked at a Zeitlin company called Courtesy Call. While VA did not have the capabilities to begin fully processing PACT Act claims for all Veterans until Jan. 1, 2023, VA wasable to expedite processing for terminally ill Veterans beginning Dec. 12. For example: Sign up for biweekly updates on the latest scams. We are proud to say its a 90-10 split, Jones recalled saying, leaving out that his company was getting the 90% share. Official websites use .gov When organizations operate as political action committees, however, they are not subject to the laws governing charity fundraising, according to federal and state regulators and telemarketing industry officials. No one filed this type of activity during the time period. This Pride Month, VA honors the service and sacrifice of LGBTQ+ service members, Veterans and their families. We don't have VETERANS AID PAC for 2023-2024 . You are not lying, but you are being extremely misleading, said Jason Jones, 24, a former employee at Politicause. None of the three managers Reuters was able to identify could be reached for comment. The committees treasurer, attorney Chris Marston, told Reuters the purpose of the PAC was to raise money in support of candidates who would help police and firefighters., Im sure the [call] scripts didnt misrepresent anything, Marston said. Are they registered with the state and federal governments? Neither do SOME Democrats. Please understand that not all white people are against you. These realities can make it difficult for veterans to establish a direct connection between their service and disabilities resulting from military environmental exposures such as burn pits a necessary step to ensure they receive the health care they earned. And, the legislation supports President Bidens reignited Cancer Moonshot to help end cancer as we know it. In most cases, our veterans are leaving directly out of high school to sacrifice their minds and bodies to go defend our countrys freedoms. Most were super PACs, but several were traditional political action committees, which have contribution limits. The VA maintains a, Do research properties offered for sale or rent to veterans at a discount at, Do confirm a veterans charity is legitimate before donating. An official website of the United States government. Disabled Veterans Service, for example, which until recently operated out of a single room in a suburban Florida office building, spent 86 cents of every dollar on private fundraising companies and telemarketers tasked with drumming up more money between 2008 and 2011. A lock ( So claims involving pactAct wont be looking into until of the 1st of the year? US Jun 14, 2023 Invited American Veteran's Aid has an efficient American Veteran's Aid has an efficient process for writing the application. Keep updated on the latest news and information. If I cant get an appointment in a timely manner, I go through community care. But because that suggested donors were contributing directly to purchasing new gear, the callers said they were told by managers to adjust their language. The 7 Most Common Veteran Scams Veteran scams, targeting a group of people who provide such a valuable and selfless service to their country, have to be one of the most despicable crimes. There are VA officers in your area that can assist. The result: a rise in super PACs that use sympathetic-sounding causes primarily to line their own pockets (the FEC has called this subset "scam PACs"). Stay informed with WPR's email newsletter. For post-9/11 combat veterans, the bill extends the period of time they have to enroll in VA health care from five to ten years post-discharge. Its still the deny, deny till they die. The PACT Act, which President Biden signed into law on Aug. 10, 2022, is the biggest expansion of Veteran health care and benefits in generations. We were good at slick-talking these people, one former caller, a felon, said of unwitting donors. Tawni Bennett claimed that Veterans Aid used an automated dialing system to call her numerous times and played pre-recorded audio clips to solicit donations, even though her number was registered on the national Do Not Call Registry, in violation of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act. The PACT Act is the most significant expansion of benefits and services for toxic exposed veterans in more than 30 years. Questions or comments should be directed to the Office of Media Relations at vapublicaffairs@va.gov. Scam PAC telemarketers who use aggressive tactics in the charity realm also face less risk of scrutiny or sanction when they turn to PAC fundraising, regulators and former callers said. Instead of phasing-in conditions over the coming years (as outlined in the legislation), the Biden Administration decided to make all conditions in the PACT Act presumptive for benefits as of August 10, the day the bill was signed into law. You can learn more at AARP's veterans fraud center and in theveterans editionof the AARP Watchdog Alert Handbook. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Please, never put personally identifiable information (SSAN, address, phone number, etc.) Baker said his employees never try to dupe donors and that he cant control what his clients, the PACs, do with the money he raises. Impostor scamsare a particular threat, accounting for nearly 40 percent of the military community's fraud losses. If you served in one of the following locations, you may be eligible for VA medical and disability benefits: Aid and Attendance Pension Benefit for Veterans | VeteranAid.org VoteVets.org is a political group that supports veterans and promotes liberal causes. To prepare for the influx of PACT Act claims, the Veterans Benefits Administration has been aggressively hiring and training Veterans service representatives, rating Veterans service representatives legal administrative specialists around the nation. And there's another catch: Thisappears to have all been legal. The FTC declined to comment. However, it is legal for candidates and Super PAC managers to discuss campaign strategy and tactics through the media. Federal campaign records tell part of the story. Were still processing the data. Heres an update on whats happened since August 10th: The day after the PACT Act was signed into law (August 11), Veterans set an all-time record for filing online disability compensation claims. One Piaro committee, Americans for the Cure of Breast Cancer, garnered $1.6 million in donations through Zeitlins fundraising operations and made one charitable contribution, $10,000 to the Susan G. Komen Foundation less than 1% of the total raised, campaign filings show. A VA benefits rep advised me to wait for the VA to review my denied claim & said they would call me. But other charities lie about what they do with donations or how much they spend on programs. Now Im on my 3rd filing & still VSO sent direct submit but this time thru the regional office so they could forward for him. VA encourages Veterans and survivors to apply now for the PACT Act-related benefits and care they deserve. Baker said he founded Salt Lake City fundraising firm American Public Resource because he hoped to support worthy goals like helping veterans.The firm was paid nearly $3 million from 2017 through mid-2019 for its work raising money for PACS that spent anywhere from 0% to 7% on their promoted causes. Dont give sensitive information such as credit card details or your Social Security number over the phone or in an email unless youre sure of whom youre dealing with. If Veterans, their families, caregivers, or survivors have questions about PACT Act and wish to speak with someone to help, they may call 1-800-MyVA411 at any time. I live in Rochester New York and a new VA Center was built about 5 years ago also have a huge VA Canandaigua that has been remodeled and adding over 100 rooms for homeless Veterans. It is offered by the VA Outreach Center. Former callers at both TPFE and Politicause said they were given scripts and FAQs that required them to mention that the groups were political action committees but were told by managers to glide past the disclosures about who was calling and how the money would be used. PAC Profile: Veterans Aid PAC OpenSecrets But scam PACs are not like other political action committees. Veterans Aid PAC PAC Donors OpenSecrets Many of Those who responded denied their marketing was deceptive and defended their business model and compensation. Veterans have already begun to apply for benefits. Former Politicause employee Armstrong said he was fired in 2018, when the call center did charity fundraising, for having drugs at work. Sign up now! None of the funds are directly given to or spent by the candidate. Not acceptable! Years in Business: 36. Business Started: 4/16/1987. The call center in Sylacauga, visited by Reuters last year, was operated by Las Vegas-based TPFE Inc, a firm controlled by Zeitlin. Ensuring veterans get the care they need includes ensuring that they are screened for toxic exposure and that VA personnel have the appropriate education and training. They said it was not uncommon to find needles in the bathroom or a caller passed out at his desk. Added more presumptive exposure locations for Agent Orange and radiation. What about a veteran who was attacked by a K K K and put in the hospital for almost 4 months and the US Navy cover it up from day one and veteran have been dealing with the LIES and cover up since 1970. VETERANS AID PAC - committee overview | FEC The PACT Act adds to the list of health conditions that we assume (or "presume") are caused by exposure to these substances. BIRMINGHAM, Alabama From unmarked strip-mall offices in small-town Alabama, the calls go out across the United States, meant to talk people into giving money for heart-tugging causes like helping breast cancer patients or the widows of fallen police officers. Biden signs 'long overdue' PACT Act to help veterans exposed to toxic Don't make any payments on a property offered at a military discount until you've researched it and signed a contract. They may be able to help. For example: No matter where you live, fraud is never far away. Other scams are examples of affinity fraud, in which crooks pose as veterans, or representatives of organizations that support them, to gain access and trust. "I heard back from (U.S. Sen.) Tammy Baldwin's office. But Rep. Gallagher has said that he thinks we can find a good balance, where we clamp down on folks who appear to really be scamming people, but yet allow folks to raise money for what cause they want to be able to. 70% of applicants win their case. In most cases, if a Veteran files a claim within the first year after the President signed the bill, the effective date for benefits will be Aug. 10, 2022. More detailed information about this expansion can be found onVA.gov/PACT. Try looking for raw versions of committee filings . Always Be Closing, one poster read. Like many such telemarketing centers tucked away in strip malls or office parks, it offered no clues to what went on inside. Apply now. Class Action Alleges 'Scam' Political Action Committees Used 'Rampant It spent $103,700 on behalf of House candidates about 3% of the total, and it has contributed nothing directly to veterans groups. An official website of the United States government. My husband was in Palmares Spain in 1966, which he was involuntarily extended to participate in. Jim Gibbs-AZ vet. Inspire is an upper airway stimulation device that is implanted surgically and controlled by the patient with a remote. If new workers werent making sales, they were quickly fired. Scam PACs tend to slip through gaps among agencies that govern elections, charities and telemarketing, regulators say, leaving consumers exposed to misleading or fraudulent pitches. PAC Registration Details *Based on data released by the Federal Election Commission on April 18, 2023 except for independent expenditure and communication cost, contributions to federal candidates, and contributions from individual donor data, which were released by the Federal Election Commission on March 20, 2023. Going byvarious names, the fundraising operation has worked for some of the same PACs as Zeitlins firms have and has employed some of the same people, according to internal PAC records, state corporate filings, employee interviews and deposition testimony in a civil case unrelated to this article. But Lee Goodman, an election lawyer and former commissioner who is a Republican, said its dangerous for the government to decide which committees are scams based on how much they spend on causes. All Veterans and survivors can go to VA.gov/PACT or call us at 1-800-MYVA411 to learn more about what this legislation means for them. How to Verify a Military or Veteran Charity is Real This gimmick allows $400B in spending completely unrelated to . It also has roots in charity fundraising. A different privacy policy and terms of service will apply. That will get you media publicity, interviews and your story might even go viral. He suffered severely. "(U.S.) Rep. Mike Gallagher also has voiced support for this. Tuesday, January 15, 2019, 5:10pm Share: In recent months, some Wisconsin residents, among others, have received phone calls from an organization asking that they donate money to help veterans. How the PACT Act is Already Helping Veterans - VA News The existence of the similarly named, but unaffiliated Super PAC has been "a real headache" for the charity, Hanson told POLITICO in a May 2018 article. Here it would be virtually impossible for the consumer to do any research, he said. All said they thought they were giving to a charity. This new law also requires VA to establish an outreach program for veterans regarding toxic exposure related benefits and supports, and to require additional toxic exposure related education and training for VA personnel. Do hang up if you get an unsolicited call that purports to be from the VA. Do check the credentials of investment advisers who tout schemes to get you additional benefits. Ferral said Piaro's committee isn't required to use the money it raises for veteranseven if that's what its fundraisers stress when they reach out to donors. We don't have At Politicause, for instance, some said they initially were told to say donations would be used to help buy new police and fire equipment. She said she would like to see the panel mandate more disclosure to donors about how much of their money is going to fundraisers, as well as stronger fraud protections in federal campaign law. The PACT Act requires that veterans enrolled in VA health care be screened regularly for toxic exposure related concerns. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. 'Scam PACs' rake in millions under guise of charity - POLITICO - Unauthorized, Learn how to enable Javascript in your browser. Paid for by Veterans Aid PAC Inc. Not authorized by any candidate or candidates committee www.vapac.org. Tonight, the Senate voted to give us the chance to fix a completely unnecessary budget gimmick in the underlying text of the PACT Act. The Do Not Call law, the FTCs major weapon in policing telemarketing, does not apply to political calls, which have protections under the U.S. Constitution. Variations in spelling or abbreviation can produce multiple totals for the same category. Gonna check this out! Veterans are told they qualify for money from secret government programs but must first pay a fee or provide personal information. Many legitimate charities support local firefighters and police, active duty military, and veterans, or their families. Visit USA.gov, This will take you to the MyHealtheVet website, This will take you to the Suicide Prevention website, This will take you to the VA Find a Form page, This will take you to the VA Publications page, 1.7 million VA disability and pension claims, able to expedite processing for terminally ill Veterans beginning Dec. 12, Veterans with toxic exposure-related cancers, largest Veteran outreach campaign in its history, VA launches national PACT Act Summer VetFest to encourage Veterans and survivors to apply for new health care and benefits, VA stands up Agency Equity Team to ensure that all Veterans receive the world-class care and benefits they deserve, Veterans can now call 1-800-MyVA411 to report sexual assault or sexual harassment at VA, Call TTY if you If youve been victimized by a veterans-related scam, file a complaint with the FTC. Veterans have already begun to apply for benefits. Zeitlin told Reuters he was not the target of the grand jury investigation. These workers were a convenient labor pool and skilled at getting people to open their wallets, former callers said. Scams targeting veterans Veterans Aid Super PAC has made it our mission to make sure our government is doing what it can to provide assistance and more funding to help homeless American Veterans by supporting the election of officials who will see this happen. The U.S. Veterans Assistance Foundation is particularly notable because its name is very similar to a nonprofit group in Tomah, the Veterans Assistance Foundation. The PACT Act provides VA with mechanisms to enhance claims processing and to increase the workforce. Of the veterans who did fall victim to fraud in 2019, the average amount lost was nearly $900almost three times as much as non-veterans. Report a scam or search for existing scams near you. PACT ACT 2022 Presumptive. This tab shows spending that this committee has made in support of or opposition to a candidate. To VA, the word supplemental simply means that you have already filed your one first initial claim. A lock ( In fact, you can now file appeals online: https://news.va.gov/104545/veterans-can-now-file-an-appeal-online-with-the-board-of-veterans-appeals/ ], I WAS DENIED EVEN THOUGH I meet all criteria. Reuters also could not ascertain the ownership of another large fundraising operation with a call center in Hoover, Alabama, some 45 miles from Zeitlins center in Sylacauga. Ive been waiting almost 3 years for an appeal for disability claim, (and the claim is based on a presumptive condition now). This expansion will increase health care eligibility for hundreds of thousands of toxic-exposed Veterans. According to militaryspot.com; unemployment, homelessness, poor mental health, physical injuries, and lack of education are the top five challenges Veterans face when returning home. This new process has already fundamentally changed how VA makes decisions on environmental exposures and ensures more veterans have access to the care they need. We have told them many times to stop calling us, one person contacted by Politicause complained to the FTC in April 2019, noting that the household was on a Do Not Call list. Thanks you. I APPLIED FOR DIABETES MELLITUS IN 2015 WHEN THE FOUR BASES I SERVED ON FROM 1972 TO 1976 IN THAILAND WERE IDENTIFIED AS HAVING AGENT ORANGE. A "veteran's advisor" said they could help me get my Aid and Attendance The PACT Act is a historic new law that will help VA provide health care and benefits to millions of toxic-exposed Veterans and their survivors. Check it with evaluators such as the, Do inform yourself on how to spot and combat impostor fraud, phishing and identity theft, which you can do with AARPs. Thailand at any U.S. or Royal Thai base from Jan. 9, 1962, through June 30, 1976. Look out for possible frauds or scams. More Reuters investigations and long-form narratives, Got a confidential news tip? That could punish well-intentioned organizations, he said. They said to pitch it like it was a charity but as quietly and quickly as you can, slip in that it was a PAC, said Lefler, who worked at TPFE until March. How to Avoid Coronavirus Scams Targeting Veterans. Though scam PACS have no standard definition and cant be definitively counted, a review of Federal Election Commission records suggests they account for a sliver of the some 6,800 PACs in the country. FACT SHEET: President Biden Signs the PACT Act and Delivers on His My job is to deliver a message, and try as best as I can to make sure Im not working for a scumbag, he said. Federal election laws were designed to prevent corruption, he said, not to protect consumers.. #9). Top Scams Targeting Veterans and Their Families - AARP When she later realized it was a PAC telemarketer, she felt exploited. What To Know Before Donating To Help First Responders, Active Duty Are Aid and Attendance benefits worth the effort to apply? But nearly. Even as they charmed millions from credulous donors, a dozen former callers for two major fundraisers told Reuters that they knew their companies would be keeping the vast majority of it. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS Let me tell you my experience! I believe your comment is horrible, especially as a veteran. Now, here we go. Photo Illustration: Jonathan Hurtarte/Bloomberg Law, Plaintiff received calls despite being on Do Not Call list, Plaintiff lost claims over solicitous calls, pre-recorded voice. I am fighting and waiting for almost 3 years to get my case heard by a Administrative Judge. Official websites use .gov Contact a VA rep to help you. See the details. Individual donors gave Individual donors gave 97 large ($200+) contributions to Veterans Aid PAC PAC in the 2019-2020 election cycle. But the interesting thing about that I found, looking back on his past comments, is that all of the money coming into the PACs were immediately going out. Pitches at Politicause and TPFE were adapted to avoid allegations of fraud, former callers said, noting that the conversations were occasionally monitored by company compliance officers. What state do you live in??? Thanks to the bipartisan leaders of the House and Senate Veterans Committees, the PACT Act does just that. What a bunch of bullcrap ! Reuters Investigates offers several ways to securely contact our reporters. The PACT Act and Your Care - My HealtheVet - My HealtheVet This is a new law, apply for it. We at VA are ready to process these claims and deliver PACT Act-related care and benefits to toxic exposed Veterans and their survivors, saidVA Secretary Denis McDonough. Learn how to enable Javascript in your browser. I am an author, speaker and journalist. By signing the bipartisan PACT Act, President Biden is delivering for Americas veterans and their families, and demonstrating that we can and will come together where we agree to get big things done for our country. The filing deadline hasn't passed yet. Scam Alert: Top Five Veteran Swindles - Forbes We wish it was 100, but we have to keep the lights on.. Business Started Locally: Thats what critics call political action committees that gobble up most of the money they raise rather than using it forthe charitable or other causes they profess to support. As it is you cant even get an appointment now imagine adding millions of people. Another 9 cents of every dollar was paid to private management consultants . Veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors can now report incidents of sexual assault or sexual harassment at VA facilities by calling 1-800-MyVA411 (1-800-698-2411, option 9). A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. You nay have a problem if you live in a Red State. VA Boston Brain Bank provides central nervous system tissue to scientists studying Veteran disorders of Gulf War and PTSD. getty. The PACT Act expands eligibility for VA health care for Veterans with toxic exposures and Veterans of the Vietnam, Gulf War, and post-9/11 eras. Diabetes Mellitus Type 2. If you are a Veteran in crisis In fact the majority of white Americans have been against slavery and discrimination since the beginning of our country. Once youve paid, the seller disappears and the goods never arrive. Neither Zeitlin nor his attorney would comment on the FTC lawsuit. Ferral said Robert Piaro, of Fredonia,runs the group, and operates four political action committees this way, raising more than$12 million. An official website of theU.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Looking for U.S. government information and services? One FAQ, given to callers at Politicause and reviewed by Reuters, shaped the fundraising pitch for asuper PAC called the American Coalition for Injured Veterans. Here are some things you can do to avoid donating to a fake charity: Pay attention to the charity's name. The fundraising operation used corporate names including Charity Promotions, from 2013 to 2016, and Charity Appeal, from 2016 to 2018, according to several ex-employee interviews and state filings. PAC Profile: Veterans Aid PAC OpenSecrets The company later was renamed Politicause. Zeitlin, whose operations also have been examinedby the Center for Public Integrity and other media outlets, said on his website that hes never been accused, indicted, tried or convicted of anything..

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