Force Protection Advisory for 7 Apr 06: Veterans Affairs Services

[SSGMike.Ivy]

Posting this email I received for informational purposes of importance.

-----Original Message-----
From: Lister, Michael, D.
Sent: Friday, April 07, 2006 1:24 PM
To: ALL_BLISS; ALL_WBAMC
Subject: Force Protection Advisory for 7 Apr 06: Veterans Affairs Services
(UNCLASSIFIED)
Importance: High

The following information is provided as a Force Protection Advisory.

We have been advised by the Veterans Administration (VA) of an
organization calling itself Veterans Affairs Services (VAS). This
organization is gathering personal information on veterans under a VA
services website, "vaservices.org". This organization is not
affiliated with the VA in any way and in reality is a private company
based in California. It describes itself as a nonprofit veteran's
service organization but they are actually affiliated with the
Military Financial Planning association. They may be gaining access
to military personnel through their close resemblance to the VA name
and seal. VA's legal counsel has requested we inform our
installations, particularly mobilization sites of this group and
their lack of affiliation or endorsement by VA to provide any
services. In addition, if you have any examples of VAS acts such as
VAS employees assisting veterans in the preparation and presentation
of claims for benefits, please pass these on to
Michael.Daugherty2@va.gov, (202) 273-8636. Mr. Daugherty is a Staff
Attorney with the Department of Veterans Affairs in Washington D.C.



Michael D. Lister
Chief, Plans & Operations Division
DPTMS, Ft Bliss, TX 79916
Cmcl: (915) 568-4409
DSN: 978-4409
Email: Michael.Lister@Bliss.army.mil


Classification: UNCLASSIFIED


Caveats: NONE