HR 8736, the GUARD Act, will reinstate criminal penalties for unaccredited claim representatives who charge unauthorized fees while assisting veterans with filing a claim for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability compensation benefits. As documented in a DAMA Subcommittee hearing earlier this year, veterans are being preyed upon by unregulated for-profit corporations. This is unacceptable. Restoring criminal penalties will help deter this type of predaceous behavior.