7-31-2025 5:17am

Be Aware of Scams Around RECA Program Extension

Chris Edwards Editor

The New Mexico Department of Justice, along with the Tularosa Basin Downwinders Consortium (TBDC), are warning those affected by radiation exposure in New Mexico of a scam related to Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) claims. In the wake of the recent expansion and extension of RECA claims, organizations and attorneys are soliciting people to file claims with them for a fee, despite the fact that New Mexico will have a legitimate claim submission process and guidance forthcoming. The community should be aware that the U.S. Department of Justice has not yet opened the claims process to New Mexicans who qualify.

View RECA Scam Prevention Flier

“We are grateful to our Congressional Delegation who tirelessly advocated for the expansion of these critical compensation efforts,” said Attorney General Raúl Torrez. “New Mexicans who have been affected by these exposures deserve compensation – and they deserve to get that compensation free from bad actors attempting to take advantage of them. We encourage New Mexicans to file claims through legitimate entities to ensure they receive the maximum compensation they are entitled to through RECA, and also to file any reports of suspected fraudulent activity with our office.”

“The people of New Mexico have waited 80 years for acknowledgement of the harm they suffered as a result of being overexposed to radiation from the Trinity bomb.” said TBDC co-founder Tina Cordova. “We hope everyone will be patient a little longer as details of the claim process are developed. Please don’t allow someone to take part of your claim out of fear or some sense of urgency. We will do all we can to assist with the claims process once the guidelines are released.”

RECA is an administrative program housed by the U.S. Department of Justice allowing partial restitution to individuals who developed serious illnesses after presumed exposure to radiation released during the atmospheric nuclear tests or after employment in the uranium industry. On July 3, 2025, Congress reauthorized and extended the program through Dec. 31, 2028. This reauthorization also expands the criteria for eligibility under RECA.

New Mexicans should be aware that claim filings in New Mexico are not yet availableand anyone claiming the ability to file a claim on your behalf is likely fraudulent. New Mexicans are advised to be patient as the U.S. government is working on establishing these processes and be aware that:

Organizations/attorneys are soliciting people to file claims with them, coercing people to believe these services are necessary and often guaranteeing results. Do not fall for these tactics.
If an entity files a RECA claim on your behalf, they will charge a fee. The fee is capped at 2% by law, however, if an entity files a claim for you and it is rejected, they can then increase the fee to 10%.
There will be official Radiation Exposure Screening and Education Program (RESEP) clinics in New Mexico that will appropriately assist people with these claims.
- The TBDC is working with the New Mexico congressional delegation, state legislators, the governor and other local elected officials to set up training for volunteers who would like to assist members of their community with the claims process. The claim process is often straightforward and will not require the assistance of an attorney or organization.

To avoid being scammed, New Mexicans are encouraged to follow these tips:

Do NOT turn over your records to anyone you are unsure about.
Visit www.TrinityDownwinders.com for trustworthy updates regarding the application process.
Report suspected scams to the NMDOJ via its online submission portal, NMDOJ.gov/submit-a-complaint, or by phone at 505-490-4060.

The expansion of this critical program was made possible by the advocacy of U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján and Martin Heinrich along with New Mexico Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández, Melanie Stansbury and Gabe Vasquez. This expansion includes eligibility criteria expansion such as additional cancers covered, additional financial compensation, additional geographical coverage and more.

For more information on the RECA expansion, visit TrinityDownwinders.com. To submit a complaint regarding potentially fraudulent activity, visit NMDOJ.gov/submit-a-complaint.