A flyer offering "free athletic shoes from VA" may look official at first glance.It uses VA-style branding, talks about health and wellness and even lists the MyVA phone number.
That is what makes it so dangerous.VA says the message falsely claims Veterans can receive free athletic shoes from VA.The agency says the promotion did not come from VA and has no connection to any official VA program.The scam appears to be spreading through a flyer and online posts.
It tells Veterans they may be eligible for free athletic shoes "at no cost to you." It also shows popular shoe brands, steps to "redeem" shoes and a process that appears to involve a VA provider.That may be enough to get someone to click, call, share or forward before they stop to think.MEDICAL IDENTITY THEFT FOLLOWS YOU INTO THE DOCTOR'S OFFICEVeterans are being warned not to click links, scan QR codes or share personal information tied to a fake VA shoe offer.(Kira Hofmann/picture alliance via Getty Images)Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy ReportVA says the free athletic shoe promotion is fake.
It did not come from an official VA program, including VPRs, Central Office or Whole Health.That is important because the flyer borrows the look and feel of a trusted government agency.It also uses health language to make the offer sound like a wellness benefit.But let's be real here.
A free pair of shoes can sound harmless until the next step asks for your personal details.This scam works because it mixes familiar names with an official-looking design.The flyer uses VA branding, a health-focused message and well-known athletic shoe brands.It also presents the offer as a benefit.
That can make people feel like they may miss out if they do not act.Scammers know that veterans and families often deal with a lot of paperwork, benefit updates and health care messages.A fake flyer can slide into that confusion and feel more believable than it should.One sneaky detail stands out.
The flyer lists the MyVA number, but that alo...