1. For the purposes of this section, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

1. (a) "Unaccredited representative" shall mean any person lacking the authority granted by the VA to representatives, agents, and attorneys to assist claimants in the preparation, presentation, and prosecution of claims for VA benefits under title 38 of the United States code and title 38 of the code of federal regulations.
2. (b) "Veterans' benefits matter" shall have the same meaning as defined by section three hundred forty-nine-f of the general business law.
3. (c) "Veterans' benefits matter frauds" shall mean any type of consumer fraud, scam, or deceptive business practice, including but not limited to those using mail, television, internet, telemarketing, recorded message telephone calls commonly known as robocalls, solicitations and marketing that target or adversely affect intended recipients including but not limited to any violation of chapter 59 of title 38 of the United States code or section three hundred forty-nine-f of the general business law.
4. (d) "Intended recipients" shall include veterans, service members, and the family members and caregivers of such individuals.
5. (e) "Entity" shall have the same meaning as defined by section three hundred forty-nine-f of the general business law.
6. (f) "Claimant" means any individual applying for, or submitting a claim for, any benefit under the laws administered by the U.S. secretary of veterans affairs.
7. (g) "VA" means the United States department of veterans affairs.

2. The commissioner shall establish an informational outreach program to raise awareness of veterans' benefits matter frauds. Such program shall disseminate to intended recipients:

1. (a) general information on veterans' benefits matter frauds, including descriptions of the most common types of fraud, scams and other deceptive business practices, and measures intended recipients can take to protect against such veterans' benefits matter frauds;
2. (b) information on how to report veterans' benefits matter frauds to the division of consumer protection, the attorney general and other appropriate federal, state, and local authorities;
3. (c) general information on seeking representation in a veterans' benefits matter, including how to verify VA accreditation and identify unaccredited representatives and best practices for seeking representation or assistance with a veterans' benefits matter;
4. (d) information on when an entity may lawfully seek reasonable compensation or fees in connection with a veterans' benefits matter;
5. (e) publicly available information about enforcement actions taken against unaccredited representatives and entities engaging in veterans' benefits matter frauds targeting or adversely affecting intended recipients; and
6. (f) information on the rights and remedies available to victims of veterans' benefits matter frauds targeting or adversely affecting intended recipients.

3. The program shall include the following elements:

1. (a) public service announcements;
2. (b) establishment of a toll-free telephone hotline and email address to receive complaints regarding veterans' benefits matter frauds targeting or adversely affecting intended recipients;

3. (c) maintaining a page on the department's website to serve as a resource for information regarding veterans' benefits matter frauds that target or adversely affect intended recipients, which shall include but not be limited to:

   1. (i) warnings about potential predatory practices including a warning about individuals who seek to act in violation of chapter 59 of title 38 of the United States code or section three hundred forty-nine-f of the general business law;
   2. (ii) a link to the online tool of the VA through which a claimant may report an individual acting in violation of chapter 59 of title 38 of the United States code or section three hundred forty-nine-f of the general business law;
   3. (iii) a link to the online tool of the VA through which a claimant may search for a recognized agent, attorney, or other entity recognized by the VA for the preparation, presentation, or prosecution of any claim under laws administered by the U.S. secretary of veterans affairs; and
   4. (iv) a link to a website or an online tool of the VA providing final decisions on discipline of agents, attorneys, and entities, described in subparagraph (iii) of this paragraph, by the U.S. secretary of veterans affairs for violations of chapter 59 of title 38 of the United States code; and
4. (d) providing seminars three times per year at locations throughout the state to advise intended recipients of the information under subdivision two of this section.