Mt. Juliet Veterans Wall
Author: Jeff Mattingly
VA Scams & Fraud Update
Thanks to Patti Whitmore our Post Service Office for passing this along.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is committed to protecting you and your benefits from fraud and scams. We monitor the latest fraud and scam trends and share this critical information with you.
Overpayment Scam:
Beware of anyone contacting
you pretending to be VA
Have you received a call, text or letter from someone pretending to be with the Department of Veterans Affairs alleging you have a substantial VA debt due to overpayment? It can be a scam!
The scammer uses high pressure tactics to insist the debt must be repaid immediately via wire transfer, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or other non-traditional payment methods. VA will never demand Veterans repay their debts in full up front, as VA offers many flexible payment plans at no additional cost. Official VA Debt Management Center (DMC) communication will provide specific details about the debt, offer secure payment through www.pay.va.gov,and your appeal or waiver rights.
If you are suspicious of a communication alleging to be VA, you can verify authenticity with VA at 1-800-827-1000 or contact the DMC at 1-800-827-0648. Never share sensitive information, such as social security numbers, bank account details, or credit card information, when responding to unsolicited requests.
New Scams:
Bad actors continue to come up with new fraudulent schemes, from unpaid toll texts and fraudulent mailing messages to bereavement scams exploiting families after the loss of a loved one.
- Bereavement scams: Scammers exploit the vulnerability of grieving family members while contacting them to gather personal information or extort money with claims of fake debts owed by the deceased, inflated funeral expenses, processing fees, or unpaid insurance premiums.
- Mail scams: Involve text messages alleging to be from shipping companies or the United States Postal Service attempting to make a delivery, demanding delivery fee payment, or with a gift offer.
- Unpaid Toll Texts: Individuals receive a text notification indicating they have an excessive outstanding unpaid toll fee, and immediate payment is demanded to prevent driver privileges from being permanently revoked or arrest. The messages appear to be from companies such as EZPass, SunPass, PeachPass, and FastTrack, among others. The messages usually instruct the victim to click on a link to issue a payment for the outstanding fees.
Natural Disasters Fraud:
In the wake of natural disasters like tornadoes, flooding, earthquakes, fires, and hurricanes, it’s important for Veterans and their families to know VA is here to help.
Scammers prey on vulnerability resulting from natural disasters and often exploit the chaos and desperation of homeowners in disaster-stricken areas. To alleviate financial stress, which can heighten vulnerability, we recommend that Veterans enroll in direct deposit to receive their benefits.
Likewise, scammers also seek to exploit generosity with charity scams to divert donations from genuine causes. For resources to help manage fraud or to file a report, call 833-38V-SAFE.
Protect Your G.I. Bill Benefits From Scams
Unfortunately, some non-accredited educational institutions and programs employ deceptive practices and make embellished promises regarding the value and earning potential of their degrees.
It is crucial for Veterans and their families to be well-informed when using their G.I. Bill benefits and to make wise financial decisions related to their education to avoid student loan scams. Protect your benefits by only choosing G.I. Bill approved schools. At VA, we are committed to empowering Veterans to make the best financial decisions related to their education. Therefore, VA encourages Veterans and their beneficiaries to familiarize themselves with education fraud warning signs.
Let’s stand united as fraud fighters to safeguard the
well-deserved benefits of our nation’s heroes.
If you miss a VA benefits payment, identify a discrepancy in payments, or find suspicious activity with your direct deposit account, contact VA immediately at 1-800-827-1000. If you suspect you have experienced fraud, you can find resources to file a report to the appropriate agency by visiting vsafe.gov or by calling 1-833-38V-SAFE
If you know a Veteran who is in crisis, call the Veterans Crisis Line by dialing 988 then press 1.
Kroger Community Rewards #2
Quick Update: We’re up to 14 participating households. We’ve earned $40.43 between 1 June and 30 August without lifting a finger! Fantastic Right!? We just need more of you to sign up.
If you’re having trouble signing up, reply to this email and let me know when I can call to help.
Most everyone has one of these. That is an account with Kroger that allows you to take advantage of their discounts and accrue fuel points or other rewards.
Other Rewards?
Other Rewards like Community Rewards!
You may remember some past postings here titled, “Almost Painless“. Well, I’ve been asked to take a few more steps to help you get signed up.
Start the Kroger App on your phone. 5 more steps and we’ll be done:
Step 1: Click Head & Shoulder Icon, Top Right ________
Step 2: Click on three bars to the left of “My Account” 
Step 3: Select “Rewards” 
Step 4: Select “Community Rewards” 
Step 5: Select “Change Organization” if needed,_______
Or Search for (Find an Organization) DSxxxx and Select “Enroll” and you’re done!
Alternatively you can search for American Legion and several listings will be displayed. Please pick 281!
That was Almost Painless wasn’t it?
American Legion Auxiliary GALA – REMINDER
I think I heard or read somewhere that the 8th is the last day that you can purchase tickets.
Please let me know if that’s incorrect: FEEDBACK
American Legion Auxiliary, Department of Tennessee, GALA
Friday, September 19, 2025. Franklin Marriott Cool Springs, 5:30pm-11:00pm
$60.00 per person, Dinner, Music, Silent and Live Auction.
Some auction items have already been donated: Various Venues in Pigeon Forge a very nice motorcycle backpack and home decor items.
This is just a sample!
More donations are coming in every day..
Please contact Gwynne Queener for tickets:
ALA@mtjulietalpost281.com
615-218-9452
As more information becomes available and the date gets closer we’ll send out updates. Please check the Events Calendar (9/19/25) to easily add this to your personal calendar.
Veteran Fall Festival
Our American Legion Auxiliary Unit is planning to attend this event.
They’d like to see any veterans and caregivers connected with Post 281 at the festival.
Hopefully it’ll cool down and we can have a wonderful day!
Join Us!
Alvin C. York VA Medical Center, 3400 Lebanon Pike, Murfreesboro, TN 37129
October 17, 2025, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Recruiting Opportunities
With Commander Ward’s recent unveiling of the Recruiting Challenge our post Service Officer, Patti Whitmore, has made some contacts and authorizations for the post to set up our pop-up canopy with table and chairs before and during local youth football events.
SO Whitmore is heading up MJHS Aug 29 home game. Set up time 1730.
Looking for persons to lead set up for:
@Green Hill HS on Friday, Sep 19 vs Gallatin & Friday, Oct 17 vs Lebanon , Set up time 1730 – 1800.
There may be some other opportunities. If you know of any details we can use, please reach out! Gathering times and dates for the following locations seems to be a challenge:
MJYFC (youth football) at Sgt. Jerry Mundy Memorial Park, 300 Mundy Memorial Dr, Mt Juliet, TN 37122 off Belinda Pkwy. Time?
Tennessee Heat (Home School Program) at Charlie Daniels Park. Aug 30 (or any Saturday morning) Times?
Do you have kids or grands playing? We need to know if you can help with setting up or would be attending any of these events. If you have some other ideas and want to use the pop-up canopy or need materials. Let us know! We’ll need to coordinate with you for materials etc.
Please coordinate with SO Whitmore: ServiceOfficer@mtjulietalpost281.com or phone: 615-482-1220.
Recruiting Challenge
And 3 ways to help out at the fair
At last night’s meeting Commander Ward put forth a Recruiting Challenge. Here’s how it works:
Bring in FOUR new members to our post and your 2026/2027 membership will be paid.
If a person recruits five new members, they receive a $50 dollar gift card too.
If they recruit six new members, the gift card will be $60.00, seven recruits earn a $70.00 card, and so on,
up to 10 recruits earning a $100 gift card.
If a member brings 2 new members, they get $20 off our Christmas banquet ticket , 3 new members earns $30 off the banquet ticket. If you bring 1 new member, At-A-Boy, We really do appreciate you!
This contest will start immediately and ends November 28th. The winner will be announced at our December Christmas banquet.
There are still time slots to fill for us to help raise awareness and funds for our post and our brothers & sisters in our local Vietnam Veterans Association, the Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America, and Veterans of Foreign Wars organizations.
Here are the Sign Up links for your convenience:
VFW Post 5015 & Vietnam Veterans of America –
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B44A4AA2EA0F9C07-50308612-wilson
The VVA is looking for help during the fair in their food trailer and as Mike says, the offer still stands, $20.00 per person per hour worked for a donation to your organization.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050B4FA8A923A7FB6-57629130-wilson
And our own booth coverage in the Air Conditioned Veteran’s building –
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A4DAFA62DA7F5C52-57514006-tennessee
Hope to see you there!
Kroger Community Rewards
Most everyone has one of these. That is an account with Kroger that allows you to take advantage of their discounts and accrue fuel points or other rewards.
Other Rewards?
Other Rewards like Community Rewards!
You may remember some past postings here titled, “Almost Painless“. Well, I’ve been asked to take a few more steps to help you get signed up.
Start the Kroger App on your phone. 5 more steps and we’ll be done:
Step 1: Click Head & Shoulder Icon, Top Right ________
Step 2: Click on three bars to the left of “My Account”
Step 3: Select “Rewards” Step 4: Select “Community Rewards”
Step 5: Select “Change Organization” if needed,_______
Or Search for (Find an Organization) DSxxxx and Select “Enroll” and you’re done!
Alternatively you can search for American Legion and several listings will be displayed. Please pick 281!
That was Almost Painless wasn’t it?
Bernie’s Ride
Thanks to Phil Friedli for passing this along
VVA Sign up Reminder
VVA sign up for food trailer>>>>>>>> 
The VVA is looking for help during the fair in their food trailer and as Mike says, the offer still stands, $20.00 per person per hour worked for a donation to your organization.
Ain’t that Great!?
So any member of VFW or American Legion is invited to sign up and help both the VVA and your organization.
Dates and times are on the sign up. Check it out
Click the below link and sign up~
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050B4FA8A923A7FB6-57629130-wilson