Camp Lejeune Scams

Camp Lejeune scams prey on people looking for legal relief for injuries caused by the toxic water at Camp Lejeune. These scams may overpromise award amounts, take money and personal information from unsuspecting people, and waste their time.

The passage of the Camp Lejeune Justice Act opened up a long-awaited avenue for harmed individuals to receive compensation for injuries caused by toxic water. The potential for Camp Lejeune compensation awards, combined with the short claim-filing window and highly publicized act, led to a lot of media coverage. 

Reuters reported law firms and marketing agencies spent over $45 million advertising about Camp Lejeune claims from May through September 2022. This fervor has also led to an uptick in scams.

Scammers may attempt to phish for personal information or pose as lawyers to secure a fee. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has reported one phishing scam in particular.

Camp Lejeune phishing scam details

The Better Business Bureau warned people about a Camp Lejeune related phishing scam in March 2023. The scam works by searching for people with a connection to the military and promising them compensation. The particular details of the scam may vary as scammers evolve. One such scam phone call promised a woman $5 million on behalf of her deceased veteran brother.

The second part may be scammers trying to obtain personal information over the phone or direct people to a fraudulent website. Once at the website, users may be urged to download malicious software or fill out a form with personal information.

Camp Lejeune filing fee scam details

Camp Lejeune water litigation scams may also include attempting to take money from veterans and family members looking for compensation. 

Scammers may follow the same contact procedure above and then demand a “filing fee.” They may position this fee as an upfront cost to receive a large award. The Better Business Bureau warns that scammers may use this tactic multiple times on the same person before disappearing once the scam victim becomes suspicious. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) also offered similar advice. Filing fees aren’t required when filing a claim with the Department of the Navy. 

Veterans, their family members and workers who lived or worked at the base can help protect themselves from Camp Lejeune scams by watching out for a few common signals that something may be a scam.

• Be wary of monetary promises. Scammers may promise large payouts for Camp Lejeune victims. They may apply pressure by using words like “act now” or “fast cash.” They may also ask victims to join a Camp Lejeune class action lawsuit. This is a scam because there is not a class action. The deadline to file a real Camp Lejeune claim passed on August 9, 2024. Note, there is no guarantee of when an award may come or how much it would be. No one can guarantee you will receive money for your Camp Lejeune claims.
• Do not download anything to your devices. Malware may be hidden in emails, text messages or on websites. Be wary of any message or site that asks you to navigate somewhere new, download something or fill out a form with too many personal details.
• Do not respond to unsolicited promises of Camp Lejeune awards. If you have not contacted a lawyer for information about a Camp Lejeune claim, be very wary of anyone reaching out to you. Legitimate Camp Lejeune lawyers and veterans’ representatives should not cold call people, but scammers often do.
• Look for firms with a reputable history. If you are interested in a Camp Lejeune claim, contact a firm with a legitimate track record. You can vet a firm by looking for its name in news articles, court records and legal releases. You can also check with the state bar of the lawyer’s home state.
• Check the email of anyone claiming to be from the DOJ, DON or Camp Lejeune Claims Unit (CLCU). The official email for the CLCU, a part of the DON, is CLClaims@us.navy.mil. If you receive an email claiming to be from the CLCU and it does not come from that address, don’t trust it.
• If someone contacts you unsolicited and claims to be from the government, do not share information with them. Get their name and supposed position and then call the CLCU at (757) 241-6020 to verify their identity.
• Communicate with government officials through your attorney. The DOJ and the Navy won’t contact you directly about your claim if you have a lawyer. Your attorney is also more familiar with the legitimate people and organizations involved in the complex Camp Lejeune claims process. 

People can also spot scams by educating themselves on the legitimate details of a Camp Lejeune claim. Scammers may rely on a person’s lack of knowledge about the PACT Act and Camp Lejeune claim details. Report any scam attempts you receive to your attorney and to the CLCU right away. To help avoid falling prey to these attempts, learn more about what the Act actually says.

In August 2022, President Biden signed the Honoring Our PACT Act into law. It included the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022, which created a way for people affected by the toxic water at Camp Lejeune to file claims for compensation. The deadline to file a claim passed on August 9, 2024. No new claims can be filed now.

The first step of the process was to file an administrative claim with the Department of the Navy (DON). Claimants would then follow the DON process. This could result in an elective option settlement offer from the DON for quick resolution.

Read more about the department’s announcement of an elective option for settlement in this blog post from Joe Rice.

If the DON does deny an administrative claim or takes longer than 6 months to resolve a filed administrative claim, the person who filed the administrative claim may then file a lawsuit.

Motley Rice is proud to represent veterans and their families in litigations in which U.S. service men and women and contractors were harmed by alleged preventable hazards. We have litigated matters involving:

• 3M earplugs and hearing loss
• EFP roadside bombs manufactured by terrorists
• Exposure to toxic materials, including asbestos, fire fighting foam, PFAS
• Exposure to toxins released from burn pits at military facilities
• Veterans harmed in military related helicopter and plane crashes

Our law firm has experience litigating cases and negotiating settlements as needed for those hurt or injured by toxic water at Camp Lejeune.