Beware of scammers targeting your Veteran Card privileges

Veteran cards

You may have noticed advertising on social media targeted at veterans. These ads could be for competitions or give-aways, offers of free gym mem­berships, wellness packs or even packaged medications* delivered free to your home. The ads will specify the offers are only available to certain Vet­eran Card holders. 

While the offers may look enticing, if they seem too good to be true, then they probably are. 

You may be asked to provide personal infor­mation, including your DVA file number, to ‘sign up’. In agreeing to any Terms and Conditions, you could also be authorising the sharing of your personal information with third parties. This information can then be used to sign you up for medical services without your agreement or knowledge, like for DVA’s Coordinated Veterans’ Care (CVC) program. 

Unscrupulous third parties do this so they can claim payments from DVA for services you don’t need or want. 

CVC is a valid DVA-funded program that ena­bles a plan to be developed in consultation with your usual GP and care coordinator to manage your ongoing care. It’s important to understand that free incentives from third parties are not part of a CVC Care Plan and should not be the basis for your enrolment in the program. 

You can learn more about the CVC Program on the DVA website.

These are some signs that you’ve been signed up for services without your agreement: 

  • Frequent unsolicited calls from unknown providers, such as social workers, general practitioners or pharmacists, who don’t clearly identify themselves. 
  • Your usual GP or other health providers may say they are having trouble claiming payments from DVA. 
  • You don’t have a direct contact number or prac­tice details of the person(s) calling, and you can’t ring them directly. 
  • You are not able to easily opt out of receiving calls and services you don’t need or want. 

If you think this may have happened to you, please contact us on 1800 VETERAN or through the online feedback form on the DVA website. 

* DVA funds medicines through the Repatria­tion Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. There is a co-payment until you reach the Safety Net threshold. For more information, visit the DVA website (search for ‘Concessional medicines under the RPBS’).