Government Grant Scams

Government Grants • Government Giving Away Money? Don't Count On It • Easy Money Scams On The Rise As Times Get Tough • Massachusetts Charges "Government Grant" Scammers • Government Grant Scam Steams On • Grant Scams Defraud Thousands • Grant Scam Still Active --- Complaints • Assorted Grants Complaints • Grantsourcedirect.org • Grantsmoney.com

The "free money" scam has been around almost as long as the human species. It has more variations than a bulldog has wrinkles but you can count on one thing: the government (any government) does not simply give money away to individuals. Anyone who tells you differently has larceny in his heart. If you give him your bank account number, he will soon have your funds in his pocket.

Below is a tiny sample of the hundreds and hundreds of complaints we receive about the many versions of this scam. It does no good to list all of the names used by these bunko artists because a.) they change all the time and b.) every single free-money government-grant offer is a scam. Period.

richard of lagos, Nigeria January 2, 2010

I was often spammed with offers for U S Govt grants, so I clicked to find out more eventually. I was redirected to a website grantsforyounow which did not offer much insight until I was asked to register and login at the cost of 1.99. I felt that was money I did not mind risking just to know more about what the website was about, so I registered and they got hold of my credit card information.

The next thing I knew, I received confirmation of the 1.99 from Lisa F., but then there followed another amount of 94.89 instantly which was not part of the agreement. I complained and requested that Lisa F. return the money as I have now been able to see that the product was for U S citizens of which am not. The woman insisted that I must try it for 88 days after which I was to file for a refund which they will pay within 3 to 5 days, they wrote.

I kept trying to apply for my refund but their server always auto-responded counting down the supposed days left before I could apply. So, finally the day came and I was allowed to download a refund request form which I was to fill and submit by fax or e-mail. I e-mailed it, but till today I never got my money back nor did I receive further response from Lisa F. or her workers.

I never got my refund of 94.89 which Lisa F. promised to pay when I apply after 88 days trial of her grants offer. I knew as soon as I was able to see what her website was about that it was not for me since I am not an American. And I told her so, that there was no need to wait 88 days till I get my refund as I would never be able to get the benefit of the product.

Denise of St. Clair Shores, MI December 29, 2009

Women on the phone offered govenment grant money for school, house, bussiness, etc., She took email but already knew my address! At the end of the conversation asked for a credit card for 2.90 to activate all the paper work and account. They have called incessantly over the past several days, sometimes 5 times in one day even after I said I was not interested.

Lynn of Garden City, KS December 1, 2009

I received a form in the mail touting grants for such things as new siding, new replacement windows, schooling etc. As my husband an I are on a fixed income and yes we need our siding replaced and windows, I mailed the card. I was charged a handling fee of 3.95 (no problem) and would have 10 days in which to look over the CD. Not.

On 11/24/09 they hit my bank account for 39.94 - no problem. But they hit it again on 11/25/09, causing an overdraft on my bank account. It wasn't until the 27th of November that they credited my account for the second 39.95, however I'm still stuck with the 35.00 overdraft fee which in short is a good share of my grocery money for the week.

What really hurts also is that we are in the process of taking out bankruptcy because of 80,000 in medical bills due to the fact that I had the gall to have a heart attack and as 4 month shy of my plan 65 insurance. I have not been able to find a job, even a part time one so now I stuck again because I though I could possible get some help.

Between my husband's social security and mine we make too much for help from SSI, but not enough to make all the bills that come due and heaven help us if we have to have something repaired...car, appliance etc. I am stuck with a 35.00 overdraft fee which I would like replaced as it should have never occurred had they only charge account the 1 time.

Legrand of Statesville, NC November 30, 2009

Grant Funding Express. Was connected by phone about financing I was trying to locate for a vocational school I was interested it for employment.(presently unemployed) Was told I would receive a free CD + 6.95 shipping, and free access to their website for 7 days (39.95)a month after, unless i canceled. Tried to cancel but all phone #,s either no longer in service or a answering service. (no calls returned). Had my bank stop all charges on my debit and issue a new card. HOPE THIS TAKES CARE OF IT??

esther of brooklyn, NY November 23, 2009

I do not remember the ladies name I spoke to bu I was guaranteed a grant for 40,000.00. I was told that they would write the grant for me and I was guaranteed to receive theis money. I was told that it would cost me 1,150.00 for them to write this grant. The also guaranteed me that if no grant was found I would receive my money back. This took place in June 2009. I have not heard from anyone. I called them on two occasions. The first call I was told to "watch the mail the check was coming".

The next call I made was in September 2009 and I was told someone would get back to me. Needless to say no one called me back. In October 2009 I called again and this time I told them I wanted my money back and that they are a scam and I would call my lawyer. I was given an address to write to them- Wealth Power Systems Resolution Dept. 7965 South 700 East, Sandy, Utah 84070 to request my money back.

It is now Novenber 2009 and I have not heard from anyone. These people are a total fraud and they are preying on the public. They are using our President's name and his stimulas information to sucker us. They need to be investigated and made to return all the money they have taken from poor people. The idea of a grant is good. We need the money to do various things, home repairs and the like. But to just lie to people is in-human and ridiculous. I very much need my money back.

nargi of indianapolis, IN November 12, 2009

was told i would recieve 5000 if i paid 199 but the 199 would be refunded the next day when i recieved my 5000 check by a agent of the govt i was told to get cash for the 199 and take it to the nearest western union call the number they gave me and they would walk me thru the steps on how to send the money to verify my identiy

Audrey of Charlotte, NC November 11, 2009

I was called on October 9th and told that the US government had extra money from donations that they were giving out to US citizens. She said that she needed my bank account number but I said no. I asked why they did not just mail the checks and she said that they have lost the checks and had to put a stop payment on the check. She said they could only then have our debit card number to transfer the money from their bank to my bank. Today I got a call from Donald who said they tried to transfer the money but my account will only allow 20,000 maximum transfer to my account so now they have sent the money by western union. Before I can get my money from them I had to send 300 and then I can put a stop on the transfer. They just needed the transfer code to open my account. I said I do not have that kind of money and I can do 150. He said to call when I get to the western union and he will stay with me to fill out the form to send the money.

I did send 100 and gave him the transfer code. He then said to hold on so he can open the account. He had me on hold and never came back. I asked western union if I could get the money back but i was told that the money had been picked up. I kept calling and he did not answer his phone. I next called the phone number of the the first person who called me and no answer. I then got a call who said he was Kevin M and the problem is that this is a holiday so the banks are having a problem transfering the money. he said the transfer should be done in a few hours. I kept asking for a copy of the wire transfer for security and he said they do not do that, he said there were over 500 people getting this money and I am the only one complaining.

I then asked for my money back. He said he was putting a stop on the 25,000 transfer and will mail me a check for 100. I called the bank which was closed and next I got a call from the bank phone number. The person said he was at the bank that was open in California and the transfer should happen shortly. I said ok. He asked for the transfer to be sent to India and all of the people I talked to had and Indonesian accent.

Solange of Forest Hills, NY November 10, 2009

He called me at work to tell me I had been selected to receive 7,000 in government grants. He asked to confirm my address and gave me a grant approval number and a telephone to call (above) and confirm my grant. When I called, Gerry Collins answered and said that they would send me the grant via mail or to my back acct or to my credit card. They said that to conclude the process I had to send a money order of 99 dollars to them for charity to children in the third world countries. Observation: both men had indian accents. When I asked if it was a scam since I was not getting the 7,000 for free as they had been stating, they said it was not and that the only way I would get the grant money is if a went to a Western Union store and sent them 99. I proceeded to hang up.I tried calling again and there was an answering machine by a british female that said "the person you are trying to reach is not available". I sincerely hope something can be done to stop them from steeling from innocent people.

Pamela of Webster, NY November 7, 2009

This person called me and said for 2.95 they would send me a package and a free CD. Have not received anything. Got online and found they were scam artists. I wrote to the Attorney General and they sent me a complaint form for Federal Grant Scam. The only charge i have as of now is 2.95.

Larry of Mayo, FL October 24, 2009

Grants express has stolen over 400 from my bank acc. without my permission. I bought only a CD for one dollar. I am disabled and my daughter has just died. I am already under stress and I sure don't need this on top of everything else.

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