New scam focused on Veterans and their survivors

Ray Boughner, TMCS USN Ret, Newton and Jasper County VSO

Vets beware of possible scams.

An individual going by the name of David Cooper has been contacting veterans and surviving spouses in West Texas posing as a VA representative.

David Cooper poses as a VA representative who says he is in the Longview area and informs the veteran and or surviving spouse, he is contacting them as he is working on an increase to their disability (benefits). To assist them, he requests a copy of the veteran’s discharge paperwork along with banking information.

One veteran did send him his information and received an alert from his bank that $10,000.00 from his account was about to be transferred. The veteran was able to stop this transfer, and the bank changed his account information. A surviving spouse was not so fortunate. The veteran had recently passed, and she thought she was still working with the VA for benefits. David Cooper drafted $1200.00 from her account. She did file a dispute with the bank and filed a police report.

David Cooper says he is a VA representative and uses the term “file a claim” to obtain banking information. He uses multiple phone number most with an area code of 903. He uses the email address Cooperdavid1800@gmail.com .

The Waco RO (Regional Office) was given the names of the families affected and the ones who did not engage him. The Waco RO contacted the OIG office and turned this information over to them. The RO was informed by the OIG this is an ongoing investigation, and there are up to 17 veterans who have been scammed by this individual.

The OIG s added the two newest individuals to this investigation.