What You Need To Know About Government Grant Scams

What You Need to Know About Government Grant Scams

Whether you are surfing the internet or watching television late at night, you are likely to come across an advertisement offering you access to free money. That advertisement sounds appealing. After all, who wouldn’t want free money? Luckily, most of us know that free money is not something that comes along often. However, these advertisements spin their products or services by stating this money comes from free government grants. Yes, government grants do exist, but many of these advertised products and services are scams.

What do you need to know about government grant scams to prevent yourself from becoming a victim.

They do exist. As previously stated, most people know right away an infomercial advertising free money is a scam. Nevertheless, when the phrase “government grants,” is tossed in, many of us do a double take. Who in their right mind would run a scam that involves the government? This causes us to rethink our original thought of a scam. Yes, it seems risky to run a scam that involves the United States government, but you may be surprised how many individuals do it. Government grant scams do exist.

Government grant scams come in a number of different formats. Their varying formats are what makes them tricky. There are frauds that will find and seek you out, there are infomercial products that do nothing more than sell inaccurate and outdated information, those who will try to steal your bank account information, and so forth.

Scammers may actually call your house. As previously stated, some frauds will find and seek out their victims. They may have detailed information about yourself, such as where you work, your home address, or the name of your bank. This information is usually illegal or immorally obtained; however, some Americans get a false sense of security since the scammer actually knows about them. For legitimate grants, you must find them, do the research, and apply. You will not be approached by phone or email.

Scammers will ask for your checking account information. This is most common when someone calls or emails you explaining that you qualify for a government grant. Out of the “kindness of their heart,” they want to help you apply for that grant. However, it really isn’t kindness that is pushing them, it is your money. They will ask for a small processing fee, which can be hundreds of dollars or more! Then, they will ask for your checking account information. Some victims have had just the processing fee taken from their accounts, while others have had an additional hundreds or thousands of dollars stolen. Never give your checking account information to anyone, especially by phone or email.

Government grant scams are occasionally advertised on popular websites. This is a fact about the internet that many novice internet users do not know. It costs money to run a website. To offset the costs, website owners use moneymaking programs, like Google AdSense. These put ads on a website. The website owner does not choose their ads. They automatically appear. Unfortunately, that means that a legitimate website with good and accurate information may actually list a scam program. For that reason, be careful what and where you click online.

The best way to avoid falling victim to a government grant scam is to use your best judgment. Government grants are easiest to find for state and local governments and non-profit organizations. Head to government websites, those ending in .gov, and search for information on grants. Contact local government officials to ask about individual and personal grants. These two approaches do work, are easy, and won’t cost you a dime.