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.
Scott of Ramona CA (03/17/09) Ordered CD for list of free grants for 3.95. They made unauthorized charges of 49.50 and 74.95. I caught them when I received my statement. Still hadn't received the CD. It arrived a month later. I emailed them with a cancellation as no one would answer the phone. I finally got a hold of someone to confirm because a Wells Fargo Representative told me another number.
I'm out 125.00 and have to change my debit card number to prevent more charges.
Nelson of Lake Charles, LA March 16, 2009
Nelson of Lake Charles LA (03/16/09) what happen. first they saided or you so and so.i repeat yes.these peopple called 3 tims so far.These people are from another country like Japan.They said that i had a free grant coming to me,if i provided them with my bank account and s.s. number.i told time why you cannot send me a certfied check. no they stated that this is not the policy that they have to go through.beware do not give out any information .but of corase they new my s.s. number already,And my old checking account in which i had to close it for a another reason.I do not know how they get all this information,but they have it.
Perry, of Rock Hill, SC March 16, 2009
Perry, of Rock Hill SC (03/16/09) in feb. 2009, i went on line an ordered a cd for grants, which cost me 1.95, i waited for a week or more and i hadn't received the cd, so i called and was told that i signed up for something on the enternet, i told that person that i ask for the cd, and don't take anything but the 1.95, a few days passed and the cd came, on that same day i told that clerk that the only money to come out of my account was the 1.95 and nothing else, at that time she didn't say to me well, you have been signed up for something that will cost you 99.00 if you don't cancel after a trial period, that 99.00 dollars will be charged to your account, this money was taken out of my account without my consent, also i've been charged by the bank a fee of 28.00, for each transaction that comes in, because this 99.00 dollars taken from my account overdrew my account, which is 80.49, i have called these people and told them, that i want my money back, plus the 80.49 for the fees charged to me. this is wire fraud, i never consented to this, i want my 99.00 + 80.49, which equals 179.49, this is my worker's compensation money, i'm on a fixed income, and this is wire fraud,a federal offense, they are taking people's money for their own benefit. i'm on a fixed income i don't need this, and i told them when i called, after i didn't receive the cd after a week had passed, because i ordered only a cd, nothing else, they lied in the ad on the computer.
Perry, of Rock Hill, SC March 16, 2009
Perry, of Rock Hill SC (03/16/09) in feb. 2009, i went on line an ordered a cd for grants, which cost me 1.95, i waited for a week or more and i hadn't received the cd, so i called and was told that i signed up for something on the enternet, i told that person that i ask for the cd, and don't take anything but the 1.95, a few days passed and the cd came, on that same day i told that clerk that the only money to come out of my account was the 1.95 and nothing else,
at that time she didn't say to me well, you have been signed up for something that will cost you 99.00 if you don't cancel after a trial period, 99.00 dollars will be charged to your account, this money was taken out of my account without my consent,
also i've been charged by the bank a fee of 28.00, for each transaction that comes in, because this 99.00 dollars taken from my account overdrew my account, which is 80.49, i have called these people and told them, that i want my money back, plus the 80.49 for the fees charged to me. i never consented to this, i want my 99.00 + 80.49, which equals 179.49,
this is my worker's compensation money, i'm on a fixed income, and this is wire fraud, a federal offense, they are taking people's money for their own benefit. i told them when i called, after i didn't receive the cd after a week had passed, because i ordered only a cd, nothing else, they lied in the ad on the computer.
Stephen of Charlotte, MI March 16, 2009
Stephen of Charlotte MI (03/16/09) Applied on line for Goverment grant information. Sight name WWW My Grant site. Did not receive any free CD as advertised, then charged 39.95 - unauthorized subscription.
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