AG Gansler's Consumer Protection Division Issues Final Order Against Company That Scammed Veterans

Money to be returned, company ordered to pay an additional $325,000 penalty

Baltimore, MD (Sept. 25, 2014) - Maryland Attorney Douglas F. Gansler announced today that his Consumer Protection Division issued a Final Order against James E. Mack, formerly of Accokeek, and his company, Benefits U Earned, LLC. The Division found that Mack and his company violated the Maryland Consumer Protection Act by illegally taking money from veterans who sought assistance with filing benefit claims with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The Final Order requires the return of all payments that were taken from veterans.

"Scamming veterans who have served our country is not only illegal, it is disgraceful," said Attorney General Gansler. "Legitimate organizations that help veterans file such applications cannot and do not charge fees for the privilege."

Thus far, the Division has identified at least 118 veterans who are owed at least $73,075. The Division found that Mack and his company, after taking payments from veterans, often failed to file veterans' claims or provide them with any meaningful services. As a result, several veterans faced delays in filing their claims and often had to file on their own or seek help elsewhere. Mack and his company were also ordered to pay a civil penalty totaling $325,800.

The Final Order also requires Mack and Benefits U Earned to immediately cease offering veterans benefits services and to otherwise comply with the Maryland Consumer Protection Act and federal laws regulating persons or entities who offer to assist veterans in filing claims for VA benefits. Mack has thirty days to file a court appeal of the Division's Final Order entered on September 24.

Federal law requires persons who assist veterans in preparing, presenting, and prosecuting claims for benefits from the VA to be accredited by the VA and prohibits charging fees for assistance with filing claims. Mack had previously applied for and been denied accreditation by the VA. Despite his lack of accreditation, Mack and his company widely advertised his services, offering to assist veterans with their filing of claims for benefits and charging them fees as high as $1,500 for his services. In his advertisements, Mack and his company falsely claimed to be accredited by the VA and exaggerated their experience. The Division was assisted by the Department of Veterans Affairs in its investigation and prosecution of its case.

Attorney General Gansler encourages veterans who seek assistance with claims for VA benefits to avoid individuals or businesses that charge fees for assisting in the preparation and filing of claims for benefits and to confirm that an individual or organization is accredited by the VA. To determine whether an organization or an individual is accredited, veterans may contact the VA by either calling the Office of General Counsel at (202) 461-7699 or visiting its website at http://www.va.gov/ogc/apps/accreditation/index.asp.

Veterans with complaints against Mr. Mack or Benefits U Earned may call the Consumer Protection Division at 410-576-6569 or write to the Consumer Protection Division at 200 St. Paul Place, 16th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21202.

In making the announcement, Attorney General Gansler thanked Assistant Attorney General Sarah Preis of the Consumer Protection Division for her hard work on the case.

To see Attorney General Gansler's Consumer Protection Division findings in the case, visit:http://www.oag.state.md.us/Press/BUE_FOF_Conclusions.pdf

To see Attorney General Gansler's Consumer Protection Division Final Order in the case, visit: http://www.oag.state.md.us/Press/BUE_Final_Order.pdf