Veterans in Williston North Dakota Urged to Watch for Fake VA Text Messages

The Williston Police Department is sharing an important warning that could help protect local veterans in Williston North Dakota and across the region. Officials say a new scam targeting veterans is making the rounds, and it looks convincing enough to fool even the most cautious people.

According to information shared by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, several veterans recently reported receiving text messages that appear to come from the VA. The message typically asks the recipient to “update their information” and includes a link that leads to a professional-looking website.

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Looks Real, But It’s a Scam: Veterans Urged to Verify Suspicious VA Messages

At first glance, the site appears legitimate. However, the purpose of the site is to trick veterans into entering sensitive personal information such as Social Security numbers, account details, or other private data.

Simply put. It’s a scam.

While the VA does occasionally send legitimate text messages about benefits, appointment reminders, or available resources, officials say veterans should be extremely cautious if a message asks for personal information or urges immediate action.

The Veterans Health Administration encourages veterans to verify any suspicious communication before responding. If you receive a questionable text message or email claiming to be from the VA, you can report it by calling (866) 842-4357.

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How to Report the Scam and Protect Yourself from Fraudulent Messages

If the scam specifically involves VA benefits, it can be reported to the Veterans Benefits Administration at (833) 388-7233.

For scams not directly connected to the VA, reports can also be made to the Federal Trade Commission by calling (877) 382-4357 or by visiting reportfraud.ftc.gov.

Authorities say the best defense is simple: block the number, delete the message, and report it. Most importantly, do not click the link included in the text.

The Williston Police Department hopes sharing this information will help protect veterans in Williston North Dakota and prevent anyone from becoming the next victim of this increasingly common digital scam.