How to avoid and recognize grant scams.

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By Amy Laine
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avoid and recognize grant scams.

Grants can help many people, but you must be careful when opening yourself up to finding a grant. There are many Scam Artist out in the world that will prey on anyone. When looking for grants you must practice common sense and be proactive. Information on preventing yourself from getting scammed through grants are as follows:

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Common sense.
This Article.
Phone.
Computer with internet connection.

Step 1

Grant Information Is Free:
If you choose to pay for help with a grant make sure you are paying for them perform a service not give you free information. You can access free grant information at Grants.gov and Govbenefits.gov. If you choose to hire a service I strongly suggest checking with the several of the scam buster web sites first.
Step 2

Do not pay to submit a grant application.
If you are asked to pay for a application fee, it is a scam. Depending on the type of grant you are applying for it may be required for you to show you have financial resources to cover expenses that the grant does not cover.
Step 3

There is a application process for government grants and they are usually lengthy. If someone comes back and tells you within a day that you have been chosen for a grant, it is most likely a scam.
Step 4

The government will not hunt you down to give you a grant. I can not tell you how many calls I have had to tell me that I have been awarded a grant, if I just pay $50 for a process fee. CAN YOU SMELL A SCAM!! If you have not submitted an application for a government grant and someone claims you have been awarded one, it's a scam.
Step 5

If you feel that you have been a victim of a grant scam or have been contacted by someone claiming to be a Federal Employee wanting to give you money contact HHS Fraud Hot line at 1-800-447-8477.