Veterans Associate Group at Walmart
Currahee John went to his local WalMart in Alpharetta, GA and ran into Buck Melchi today.
This guy was set up outside our local WalMart in Alpharetta, GA, collecting money for the “Veterans Associate Group,” and wearing what looked like a fake VA ID card on top of an absolute travesty of a “uniform.” He was right friendly when I asked if I could take a picture of him (I thought the saluting was a nice touch!), but somewhat less so when I asked what the “Veterans Associate Group” did. He mumbled something about providing “social services for wounded veterans” and showed me what also appeared to be a fake State of Georgia Certificate of Incorporation (which I didn’t manage to get a shot of), before whipping out his cell phone to report me to his “boss” for asking questions.
Yeah, I tried the website address on the sign and it gives me a 404 “not found” error. John got a shot of Buck’s ID card and it just doesn’t look right to me, and I’m pretty sure that the VA doesn’t send people out to collect money with their government IDs. Maybe some of you VA employees can chime in about the ID’s appearance.
The Veterans Associates Group has an address, but the phone number goes to vmail;
Veterans Associates Group
620 Hillcrest NW Rd
Lilburn, GA 30047
(678) 694-1132
The address is a parking lot;
John also said that Buck told him he was in the Navy (notice the ball cap logo), yet he’s wearing an Army uniform, with the flag backwards. Someone should let the local cops know about him, because I don’t get the sense that he’s legit, maybe a call to the Walmart manager wouldn’t be totally out of line either. Good work, John.
Category: Phony Vet Charities
http://corp.sos.state.ga.us/corp/soskb/SearchResults.asp?FormName=CorpNameSearch&Words=All&SearchStr=Veterans+Associates+Group&SearchType=Search
http://corp.sos.state.ga.us/corp/soskb/Corp.asp?1682612
VETERANS ASSOCIATES OF AMERICA INCORPORATED is not the Veterans Associates Group
Looks like he’s also linked to Veterans Support Organization, which looks a little shady with a husband/wife team at the helm. More pics of Mr. Buck on their website with another ID card around his neck and the flag on the other shoulder.
We get these guys here at the Walmart down the road every once in a while down here in Pensacola. Faux uniform with a name tab that says “Veteran.” Got a lot of nerve in a place like this. Do I challenge them? Nope, but I don’t give either… obvious fakes.
Just sent a copy of the ID card photo to VA IG.
Nothing says Navy like a good starboard list when saluting.
You should read the original story in the OC about Montoya. He sounds like a dirtball, a sleeze of the first order. In fact, he sounds like the kind of fellopw who should have fit that department perfectly.
http://www.ocweekly.com/2013-07-25/news/scott-montoya-orange-county-sheriffs-department/full/
@8- think you clicked on the wrong post there
If nothing else if you let the manager of the Walmart Know he’s in the parking lot soliciting they can do something. Most establishments are strict on ANY solicitation on their property, legit or not. Something tells me that Ol’ Buck never bothered checking in with the store.
Would a good solid throat punch have been out of line? THEN call 9-1-1? (and leave)
@9. Yep, but I can’t unclick it.
Surprised WWP is not there.
Nothing screams legit like having your pocket flaps undone.
I reported that same guy to the WM mgr in Acworth, GA too; when he saw me eyeing his “uniform” and saw me go back inside the store, he packed up his stuff and left! I thought he was a straight up scammer from first glance, and was offended he was wearing that. If they are legit, why flee?
Hmm..
I’ve seen guys like that but always assumed it was a legal, if a bit shady, veterans group. But this sounds more scam-like.
It doesn’t take much to form a corporation, and even less to start a website.
I’m surprised we don’t see more things like this. I know from my WWII research that there were (iirc) over 100 veterans organizations formed after WWII. Only a handful lasted more than a few years.
That ID is a real VA ID. It matches mine exactly (except name and photo of course). Good call sending it to the VA IG, if the man is a legit employee of the VA, there is no damned way he should be wearing that ID outside of work to collect donations for any damned thing.
I have to wait until Monday to check his name on the global address list, hopefully before then the IG will have him pinned down. If he is a former employee that badge should have been turned in on his departure.
I could have sworn I saw these same leeches in Tampa, when I lived in Florida. I called them on their shit and they packed up and left.
Earlier this year I spent a few months TDY to Brunswick, Ga…these football bats were outside the walmart in Brunswick every few weekends for the five months I spent there. The “veteran” name tape clued me in that they were totally, completely legit. I thought they were local yokels scamming students…no idea they were this widespread.
Seems like today a guy can’t make an honest dollar, and everybody thats out trying to make a honest living is put down. Myself, I think this guy is honest as they come, He’s got my buck. $$$$$$$$$ “RIGHT IN HIS BIG FAT ASS”, “Go getem big boy”. Santa’s on your side. LoL!!!!!!!!
I have seen a setup like that at a Gander Mtn in Ohio. I asked who he was and who the group was. The guy showed me a stack of photocopied licenses and charters for the parent organization. He was taking “donations” and selling patches and pins. It appeared to me that this was some sort of franchise style business. Somebody is setting these people up with all the questionable credentials and giving them license to scam.
Will check the name against the VA address book tomorrow morning. I’ll get you his desk phone if you’d like it.
As others noted, that PIV card around his neck is legit, but it’s an older design – at least for DHS (and the DoD CAC), there are more security features in newer versions. Interesting that it’s dated mid-2013. However, PIV cards are often printed and issued at the local level, and perhaps his unit or agency is still using the older style.
Also as noted, the PIV card should never be worn outside the office, for anything but official purposes. Looks like a clear case of using the office for personal enrichment to me.
@23 it is the same type PIV Card used by Dept of Veterans Affairs. I have one around my neck right now. I looked him up in Outlook and he is not listed, which does not mean much but I can typically look up anyone who works for the VA. Mine expires next year, and I imagine it will be upgraded then to a newer version, but as you stated they are issued locally.
Someone already reported his ass to the VAIG but I may take a walk upstairs to the VA Police with copies of the photos.
That name does NOT come up in the VA Outlook address book (available for anyone with a va.gov account). Only one Melchi (LTJG) in the entire book, and they’re from NY. Lots of Bucks, but no Melchi Buck, or Buck Melchi.
The card is identical to the ones currently issued. Unless he just got fired, it quite possibly is an VA card, but the smell test ain’t getting a passing grade from me.
VA requirements are a bit behind in the whole .gov scheme of things. While there are newer cards in the system, the difference between the ‘new’ and the ‘old’ is minimal.
Find his picture on the Veterans Support Organization. His name is listed as Melchi Buck and it looks like he has a VA ID card given to vets (has a stylized flag on it) around his neck. Also found something from Mississippi where he was a defendant in a civil case involving a religious charity. Working hard for God and Veterans!
If you go to their list of Chapters, you will notice Georgia is not listed among them. They did at one time have one, because there is a photo of this character and others at the Carl Vinson VA.
http://theveteranssupport.org/image-gallery/carl-vinson-va-hospital-receives-gift-cards-vso
Is he wearing a blue cord as a FUCKING BELT!!!???
wow and your web sight is asking for donations on the very page your slaming other people who you know nothing about. at the end of the day is buck legal or not.
Play in traffic times 3.
Charitable contributor beware! If you don’t want your dollar going into a dirtbag’s pocket, make sure of who you hand it to!
This guy probably works for APL and the known criminal, Phildo Monkress.
Very similar setup.
@29, Huge difference is that it is completely understood that any funds donated to this site will be used as the blog owner sees fit to support this site.
TAH isn’t a charity claiming tax-exempt status and saying they are assisting others.
Is Buck legal? Use some judgement. He’s wearing a “costume”, has a shady looking ID and appears to be soliciting funds without the knowledge or consent of the property owners.
The organization has no internet footprint other than it’s application for being a non-profit organization in Ga. No notices of activities, contributions or assisting anyone, just three people an an address.
Thanks for all the quick detective work! I did contact both the local police chief and Walmart corporate that same day. I haven’t heard from Walmart yet, but the police chief and I have been exchanging emails. Seems this guy was checked out on Saturday by her officers, the store manager had given him permission to set up, and the paperwork he had was enough to satisfy the legal requirements, though the Chief did state that it seemed shady. When I mentioned the other organization this character is associated with, the “Veterans Support Organization,” http://theveteranssupport.org , she forwarded all this information to her CID to see what they can dig up about them.
The Chief seemed particularly upset about the fact that this group of con artists raised $8.9 million in 2011 and gave out only $34,000 in charitable gifts. She seems like a good sort to have in that position, and I hope they can pin these weasels down.
Seems that this group of con artists supposedly left Georgia back in August, according to WSB-TV:
http://www.wsbtv.com/news/news/local/veterans-support-organization-leaves-georgia/nZSr7/
One of the charity watchdog sites points out problems with this organization as well:
http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=13135
And a Florida TV station posted this about their fraudulent ways in their state:
http://www.wtsp.com/investigators/article/287738/34/State-busts-veterans-charity-after-10-News-investigation
There is a short ton of other, similar stories about them online, found just by googling the name.
Being a McSoup Sandwich SV Medal Wearer® is one thing, what these outright criminals do is a whole ‘nother barrel of fish.
@26: the PIV card clearly states his affiliation as “EMPLOYEE.” Not “CONTRACTOR,” but EMPLOYEE. At one time, if not now, he was an employee.
Also, VA issues a different style card to its veteran clients: horizontal orientation, bright flag graphic, no security features. Even if he is not a current employee, he is still using the office for personal gain. AND is in possession of government property he’s no longer authorized to have. Hammer time for this POS.
@35 #26 was not implying he was a contractor. But he was in a photo displaying what is likely the VA Health Care id.
I checked on outlook and someone else did also, he is not an employee of the VA, not currently.
At times3… That individual is wearing a Federal Identification Card to solicit money for a “charity”. He is not listed in the employee listings for the VA and if he had been an employee the badge is not his to keep, and certainly not his to wear while doing what he was photographed doing.
So, in short GFY
@36: l was simply noting what the card did and did not say. Look closely at the tighter shot of that ID. It clearly identifies him as an EMPLOYEE. He may not be a current employee, but he was very recently (badge was issued in mid-2013). Also, as I noted, the PIV card is not issued to patients/clients, it is issued to employees, contractors and other affiliates.
The bottom line is that if Melchi is no longer a DVA employee, and has retained his employee badge, he is in unlawful possession of Federal property to which he is no longer entitled. Further, there is photographic evidence of his using said unlawfully possessed property for outside employment and/or personal enrichment. I suspect those closer to his Federal department are getting him some remediation in these areas.
While searching for Veterans Associate Group on google, came across your blog. This guy scammed me on ebay. I am going to take all possible actions against him to get my money back. I am hoping that ebay claims will help me out.
Wondering what can be done legally against scammers like this.
Have you reported it to the police?
Yes, reported it to ebay claims department and they asked me to report it to local police. Got my money back from ebay, I hope they take legal action against the scammer.