Fraud experts are hosting events in North Dakota this month to help veterans and military families spot scams.

Roughly 80% of veterans and military personnel are targeted by scammers and about 40% lose money, according to AARP.

Juanita Jimenez Soto, national veterans and military families manager for AARP North Dakota, said fraudsters are after their hard-earned benefits. She noted the latest scam includes postcards or mailers appearing to be from Veterans Affairs or other government agencies.

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"Scammers are exploiting trust and the complexity of military and VA benefits and repeated contact through channels that kind of look familiar and official to our veterans and military families," Jimenez Soto explained.

AARP is hosting "Lunch and Learn" events on September 29 and 30 in Grand Forks and Minot. Jimenez Soto pointed out attendance is free but registration is required.

Jimenez Soto explained scammers may target veterans because of benefits and income earned through military service. She identified frequent relocations as a vulnerability for active-duty personnel and families. As technology advances, Jimenez Soto warned newer scams use voices generated by artificial intelligence, deepfake videos and phishing texts to bait people. She added even though tactics might change, the motive remains the same.

"They're aimed at the same goal, which is changing direct deposit, altering benefits and harvesting Social Security and bank details so that they can have easy access to our veterans' and military families' money," Jimenez Soto emphasized.

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The AARP Fraud Watch Network has a scam-tracking map, providing fraud alerts to help people stay informed about emerging threats. Jimenez Soto encouraged people to pause and verify before responding to unexpected messages. She stressed military personnel should be especially leery of correspondence promising additional benefits or savings programs while seeking personal information.

"If there's a sense of urgency, that might be a scam, so you need to verify that. Never send money or banking information," Jimenez Soto outlined. "If you feel like someone's trying to get money from your account, call your bank. Have your accounts frozen temporarily while you sort everything out."

Veterans and military families who suspect they have been targeted can call the AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline for guidance and support. People can also access additional free resources through the AARP Vets Fraud Center.