After NPR investigation, new bill aims to stop 'claim sharks' targeting disabled vets
A new bipartisan bill in Congress seeks to stop 'claim sharks' from exploiting disabled veterans by using auto-dialers to access VA benefits information and send unexpected bills. The legislation, inspired by an NPR investigation into Trajector Medical, would prohibit companies from using automated systems to monitor veterans' benefits. Lawmakers argue the practice is predatory and violates veterans' privacy, while the targeted companies claim they disclose the monitoring to clients.
- ▪The bill is sponsored by Rep. Chris Pappas, D-N.H., and Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., along with two Republican colleagues.
- ▪It aims to ban the use of auto-dialers to access the VA benefits hotline, a system used by companies like Trajector Medical to monitor veterans' payments.
- ▪An NPR investigation revealed that Trajector used a 'CallBot' to make tens of thousands of calls to the VA, often without veterans' full understanding.
- ▪The company charges veterans up to five times the increase in their monthly VA payments, with bills sometimes exceeding $20,000.
- ▪Federal law already prohibits charging veterans for help with initial disability claims, but civil penalties for violations were removed two decades ago.
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Investigations After NPR investigation, new bill aims to stop 'claim sharks' targeting disabled vets May 4, 20265:00 AM ET By Caley Fox Shannon , Chris Arnold , Quil Lawrence AFP via Getty Images and Getty Images/Collage by Emily Bogle/NPR A new bipartisan bill in Congress aims to curb what lawmakers say are predatory collection practices by so-called "claim sharks" — companies that charge disabled veterans large sums for help claiming benefits with the Department of Veterans Affairs. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Chris Pappas, D-N.H., Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., and two of their Republican colleagues, would prevent companies from using auto-dialers to call federal agencies.
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