WASHINGTON, DC (June 16, 2025) |
Early this morning, the Defense Credit Union Council (DCUC) submitted a formal letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee ahead of its hearing on international scams targeting older Americans. The letter outlines the unique role defense credit unions play in preventing fraud, particularly within military and veteran communities, and offers specific recommendations to strengthen national efforts to combat financial exploitation.
In the letter addressed to Chairman Chuck Grassley and Ranking Member Dick Durbin, DCUC commended the Committee for its attention to the growing threat of international criminal networks that prey on older Americans—especially veterans, military retirees, and survivors receiving service-connected benefits.
“The threats this hearing will examine strike at the heart of the communities credit unions are built to defend,” says Jason Stverak, DCUC’s Chief Advocacy Officer. “Defense credit unions are uniquely positioned to detect and disrupt these scams, and we are eager to partner with Congress on scalable solutions that protect these most vulnerable veterans.”
DCUC’s letter highlights the advanced anti-fraud systems, financial education efforts, and member outreach programs credit unions operate nationwide. Credit unions are trusted financial anchors on military installations and VA campuses and are often staffed by veterans or military spouses who bring personal insight to fraud prevention efforts.
“Our members are on the front lines of financial fraud every day. We see the toll these scams take on older Americans—especially veterans who served with honor and now face a new kind of enemy online. It’s time to scale our defenses and work together on bipartisan solutions,” says Anthony Hernandez, DCUC President/CEO.