To continue getting breaking news and the full stories from The Boston Globe, subscribe today.

The Boston Globe

Metro

Augusta, Maine

College-enrolled veterans warned of benefits scam

AUGUSTA, Maine — The Maine Department of Labor is warning veterans of a potential scam targeting their bank accounts. Veterans who have signed up or been approved for the new Veterans Retraining Assistance Program have been specifically affected. The program provides $1,473 monthly stipends to veterans attending an approved community college or technical school. Veterans say they have gotten phone calls from someone who promises matching money for those stipends. The caller also asks veterans to call a number to report their bank account number and to pay a $205 service fee. Labor Commissioner Robert Winglass says veterans need to be aware of scams that target benefits they have earned. He says people should keep their financial information private and never provide it to anyone they have not directly contacted themselves.