How to avoid and recognize grant scams.

avoid and recognize grant scams.

Rate: (6 Ratings)

Grants can help many people, but you must be careful when opening yourself up to finding a grant. Their are many Scam Artists 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.

Flag Article

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Common sense.
This Article.
Phone access.

Step1

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 Better Business Burrow first.

Step2

Do not pay any grant application fee.
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.

Step3

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.

Step4

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.

Step5

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.