Thursday, July 5, 2012

Confusing Website

James G. Fausone
Veteran Disability Attorney

GIBill.com looked like an official government website intended to provide information to veterans about their GI Bill benefits.  But looks can be deceiving.

The website was actually owned by QuinStreet Inc., an internet marketing and media company.  The Attorneys General of several states sued QuinStreet alleging violation of consumer protection laws.  They contended that the website purposely and deceptively gave the appearance that it was owned or operated by the U.S. government.

The GI Bill is an extensive educational assistance program provided to veterans.  The bill gives the veterans the flexibility to pursue education how they see fit – at public, private non-profit, or private for-profit schools.

However, GIBill.com deceived veterans into thinking they were making an informed decision about their education choices.  In reality, the veterans were being deceived and receiving information exclusively about for-profit institutions that were clients of QuinStreet.

QuinStreet has settled the suit by agreeing to pay $2.5 million and, more importantly, turning over its GIBill.com website to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs to prevent further fraud by QuinStreet.

The post-9/11 GI Bill was authorized by Congress in 2008.  Through the program, the VA has disbursed nearly $20 billion in payments to 759,000 people and their educational institutions.

Providing education to our veterans via the GI Bill is just a small token of appreciation for the sacrifice and service of these brave men and women.  Hopefully this action by these attorneys general will send a message to others like QuinStreet that such deceptive practices will not be tolerated.

To learn more or read the VA press release, please visit:  http://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=2345

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