Claim Sharks: What Veterans Need to Know
Claim Sharks are unaccredited individuals or companies that prey on veterans seeking help with their VA disability claims. Unlike legitimate, VA-accredited Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs), claim sharks charge illegal and excessive fees—sometimes up to five times the value of a veteran’s awarded monthly disability compensation—to “assist” with claims that should be processed free of charge. These predatory actors often use aggressive advertising, misleading promises of guaranteed results or expedited claims, and high-pressure sales tactics to lure veterans into contracts with hidden or ongoing fees.
Claim sharks frequently:
- Charge large upfront or ongoing fees for claim assistance
- Promise guaranteed or expedited results—something only the VA can determine
- Request veterans’ VA logins or personal information
- Require contracts that may obligate veterans to pay for future benefit increases, even if the company was not involved
- Operate outside of VA oversight, evading accountability and legal recourse
Because claim sharks are not VA-accredited, they are not held to the professional and ethical standards required by federal law. This leaves veterans vulnerable to financial exploitation, misleading advice, and even legal complications if their claims are mishandled.
How the American Legion Can Fight Claim Sharks
The American Legion, as a VA-accredited Veterans Service Organization, plays a vital role in protecting veterans from claim sharks and ensuring their benefits are secured safely and ethically.
Ways the American Legion Fights Claim Sharks:
- Free, Accredited Assistance: The American Legion provides highly trained, certified service officers to help veterans and their families navigate the VA claims process at no cost, as required by law.
- Education and Awareness: The Legion educates veterans on the dangers of claim sharks, how to spot predatory practices, and the importance of using only VA-accredited representatives.
- Advocacy: The American Legion advocates for stronger legislation and enforcement to close loopholes that allow claim sharks to operate without accountability. This includes supporting efforts to reinstate criminal penalties for unaccredited claims agents and pushing for state and federal protections.
- Reporting and Support: The Legion encourages veterans to report suspicious or unethical practices and helps connect them with the appropriate authorities or legal resources to resolve disputes and protect their rights.
- Protecting Privacy and Security: By using accredited service officers, the Legion ensures veterans’ personal and health data remain secure and are handled according to strict federal guidelines.
Why Choose the American Legion?
Veterans deserve trustworthy, effective, and free assistance when filing VA disability claims. The American Legion stands ready to serve, offering expert guidance, advocacy, and protection from predatory actors. By working with the American Legion, veterans can avoid the pitfalls of claim sharks and ensure their hard-earned benefits are handled with integrity and care.
If you or someone you know needs help with a VA claim, contact your local American Legion post or accredited service officer. Protect your benefits—don’t let claim sharks take a bite out of what you’ve earned.
Loading...
Reload document 
Open in new tab
Post 10 Welcomes Veterans to Wednesday Bar Bingo!
Post 10 is excited to announce a special initiative inviting non-member Veterans to join us for our lively Wednesday Bar Bingo nights, facilitated through Vettix. This effort aims to introduce our community to a broader range of Veterans, and showcase the camaraderie and enjoyment we share at Post 10.
We believe that the excitement of Bar Bingo, combined with the welcoming atmosphere of our members, can be an excellent way to connect with potential new members. Vettix guests will be seated at a designated table, making it easier for them to get to know us and for us to extend a warm welcome.
We encourage all our members to greet Vettix guests with open arms. If you spot them at their designated table, please take a moment to introduce yourself, share a friendly conversation, and make them feel at home.
Let’s make this Wednesday’s Bar Bingo a memorable experience for everyone, and show why Post 10 is a great place for all Veterans to belong.
Looking forward to seeing you all there!
If you are a Veteran and are interested in learning more about this recruiting effort or with Vettix in general, please see Rick Goodman or visit https://www.vettix.org/ref/1230374 for more information.
Queen of Hearts game is back at Post 10!!!
How It Works
- There are 52 cards and 2 jokers for a total of 54 cards
- For a chance to draw the Queen of Hearts, purchase tickets from a bar tender. Tickets are 6 for $5. You can buy as many as you want but they must be sold in $5 increments. No single ticket sales.
- All tickets must have your name, phone number and a number of an available card so that if you are not present when the ticket is pulled the staff will know which card to pull. If you are present when the ticket is pulled then you can pick your own number.
- Tickets for each weekly game will be on sale from Friday through Thursday at 7:30PM. The drawing will take place on Thursday at 8PM sharp. If the post is closed on a Thursday the pull will take place the next day the post is open at 8PM.
- Each week after the drawing, all remaining tickets will be thrown away.
- The game continues and the pot continues to grow until someone pulls the Queen of Hearts card. At that point a new game will begin.
- Prizes payouts are as follows:
- Prizes:
- TICKET HOLDER $50.00 to person whose ticket is drawn plus the following, depending on card drawn:
- “Queen of Hearts” TICKET HOLDER: If present gets 100% of PRIZE POOL
- Queen of Hearts” IF NOT present gets 90% of PRIZE POOL. 10% goes towards next jackpot prize pool
- “Joker” – $200.00
- Ace – $100
- Cards 10 – K – $50
- Cards 2 – 9 – $25
- Rules of the Queen of Hearts can be found HERE
OUR MISSION
Give Something to Those Who Gave.
Vet Tix provides tickets to events which reduce stress, strengthen family bonds, build life-long memories and encourage service members and veterans to stay engaged with local communities and American life. We support our troops by honoring their service and providing positive family and life experiences, during and after their years of service to our country.
Vet Tix provides tickets to all branches of currently-serving Military and Veterans, including immediate family of troops KIA.
Vet Tix secures tickets to sporting events, concerts, performing arts, educational and family activities across the nation. VetTixers sign up online. We verify their service. VetTixers request tickets to events that interest them, then pay a small delivery fee to receive their free tickets.
Sign up for a free account at the link below or scan the QR code from your smartphone.
https://www.vettix.org/ref/1230374
Vet Tix has a sister organization called 1st Tix which has the same mission but for 1st Responders. If you are a 1st Responder you can sign up for 1st Tix at the link or QR code below.
https://www.1sttix.org/ref/1230374
We’re Back on Facebook
Our Facebook page has been re-created. The page name is American Legion Post 10 Manassas.
The Facilities Staff has access to the Post 10 Facebook page and can now post menus, entertainment, and upcoming events. Check the Post 10 Facebook page frequently for up-to-the-minute information.