Thousands of military personnel and their families have filed lawsuits over exposure to toxic water at North Carolina’s Camp Lejeune. Now, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) is warning these victims that scammers have begun to issue phony settlement claims to siphon off money from plaintiffs and their families.
According to the BBB, marketing agencies and law firms have spent over $40 million advertising Camp Lejeune lawsuits. With so much money being spent in this space to bring attention to the victims of Camp Lejeune, scammers are exploiting the lawsuit and its plaintiffs.
The way the scam works, the BBB states, is that a victim receives an email or phone call informing the individual that they can claim a settlement, ranging from a few thousand to a few million dollars. In order to claim the compensation from the sham Camp Lejeune class action settlement, victims will need to follow a link or call a phone number. Following these instructions can result in a variety of negative events including downloading malware, recording personal identifying information, and asking for “filing fees” that never end.
This scam is not just limited to former service members. One person who spoke with the BBB said that they received a call from a representative asking for information about their brother who died from cancer years before. The caller alleged that $5,000,000 in compensation was available to be claimed.
The BBB Outlines four steps to take to ensure that you do not fall victim to these Camp Lejeune scams:
- Don’t click on links in suspicious emails, especially if those emails are unsolicited, as the link could lead to fake websites or download malware.
- Stay alert to potential variations of this scam including text messages or traditional mail variations.
- Apply for compensation through official channels such as VA.gov/CampLejeune or file a Camp Lejeune lawsuit.
- Only work with reputable representatives who have been vetted by thorough research.
If you or a loved one have been injured due to the toxic water at Camp Lejeune, you may be entitled to financial compensation. In order to see if you qualify, file a free case review.