After NPR investigation, new bill aims to stop 'claim sharks' targeting disabled vets

Investigations After NPR investigation, new bill aims to stop 'claim sharks' targeting disabled vets May 4, 20265:00 AM ET By  Caley Fox Shannon ,  Chris Arnold ,  Quil Lawrence AFP via Getty Images and Getty Images/Collage by Emily Bogle/NPR A new bipartisan bill in Congress aims to curb what lawmakers say are predatory collection practices by so-called "claim sharks" — companies that charge disabled veterans large sums for help claiming benefits with the Department of Veterans Affairs. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Chris Pappas, D-N.H., Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., and two of their Republican colleagues, would prevent companies from using auto-dialers to call federal agencies. Pappas said the legislation was prompted by a 2025 NPR investigation of Trajector Medical that revealed how the Florida company used auto-dialer software to access a VA benefits hotline meant for veterans. The company would dial into the system to monitor benefit payments for thousands of its clients, often without their knowledge, and then automatically send the veteran a bill if their payments increased. Sponsor Message Investigations This company charges disabled vets millions, even after VA said it's likely illegal "It's crazy what these guys are trying to get away with," Pappas told NPR. "To use a robo-dialer to make multiple calls to government lines and then just send veterans a bill whenever their eligibility has changed, it's just outrageous." Trajector and claims companies like it already operate in a legal gray area. Federal law prohibits charging veterans for assistance filing initial disability claims — a service provided for free by the VA and accredited nonprofits. But civil penalties were removed from the law two decades ago, leaving federal regulators with fewer effective remedies to enforce the law or sanction bad actors. Rep. Chris Pappas, D-N.H., and three Republican colleagues have co-sponsored a bill that would block companies from using auto-dialers to harvest...