Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) Changed Its CRSC Phone Number After Diversion –

United States (ECWd) –

UPDATE 7-22-2023:  The Defense Finance and Accounting Service (“DFAS”) brought its website down yesterday after we notified them of the diversion of the CRSC help and assistance phone number to a high-pressure medical alert sales company. It was down for a couple of hours, long enough for them to change the listed phone number (it had been the same number since at least 2004).

We urge the DFAS to investigate how and why the original phone number was diverted, how long it had been that way, how many Veterans were subjected to the sales pitches, and how many Veterans signed up for the “free” medical alert device with the paid “monitoring” program.

WAND published a story on this yesterday (HERE).

***Original Article***

During a routine records check, I came across a serious breach of the Defense Finance and Accounting Service’s (“DFAS”) telephone assistance phone number for Combat Related Special Compensation (“CRSC”) payments.

I called the number listed on the DFAS website for CRSC assistance but was instead connected to a “Medical Alert Center” trying to sell or give away medical alert devices and participate in a “monitoring program” – and it appeared to be nothing more than a computer or recorded voice.

I called a second time because I couldn’t believe what just happened and was connected to the same sales company.

I tried calling a third time, but it rang and was immediately disconnected as if that company was now blocking my number.

I then called using my wife’s phone and was immediately connected to the medical alert sales company, which I recorded, and you can watch/listen to that video below.

Never did obtain the assistance sought.

This is a great disservice to military retirees and disabled Veterans, to be subjected to this sales company and its tactics when using the phone number listed on the DFAS website while seeking assistance.