E.F. Gilmore Swampscott and Lynn Disabled American Veterans Commander Jeffrey Blonder has issued a warning to his fellow veterans about the increasing threat of claim sharks.

Blonder described a claim shark as an individual or entity that charges veterans unauthorized fees for helping them file disability claims with the Department of Veterans Affairs.

According to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, some of the most popular practices of claim sharks include guaranteeing an increased disability rating or percentage increase, advertising expedited claims decisions, and requesting login credentials to access a veteran’s personal information through secure VA websites.

A press release from the DAV said the E.F. Gilmore chapter has three accredited chapter service officers to help any veteran or surviving family members file a claim without cost.

“The DAV believes that no veteran should have to pay to file a claim under any circumstance. Period,” Blonder said in the release. “Yet, there are companies who look at those who have already paid a price through their service and sacrifices as targets to be used to line their own pockets. And they’ll do it by emptying veterans’ pockets under the guise of claiming they can do what VSOs like DAV can’t. And they’re wrong.”

Blonder also encouraged veterans seeking assistance to email him at [email protected].