Government Grant Scams

9/30/2009

Lexington, KY - Money is still tight for many people, so the offer of thousands of dollars in FREE MONEY from the government sounds like a lifesaver. Your Better Business Bureau is getting a lot of calls and emails these days from people asking about phone calls and mailings that seem to offer "free" government grant money.

One that has landed in some mailboxes in Kentucky lately looks official…it states it's from U.S. Grant Programs….$5,000 to $50,000 dollars in free government money that you can use for healthcare, travel, start a business….sounds great.

But wait….the BBB in Florida has an "F" rating of American Benefits Services, who sent the card, due to unanswered and unresolved complaints.

Here's another one with a different twist. It states you've been approved for a grant of over $50-thousand to use for whatever you like….and it will be sent to you after you pay state and federal taxes….using a check they have conveniently enclosed for you to cash to use for that purpose.

What's wrong with these offers? The government does not contact people at random telling them they're going to receive grant money.

The one website with free information about actual government grants is www.grants.gov. Keep in mind though that such grants are for very specific purposes, and not to use for whatever you want. They are typically not for individuals like you and me.

The government would not charge you a fee, and they would not send a check on a private company's account for you to use to pay for taxes. If you have to pay money to get a grant, don't fall for it!

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Be a "Don’t Fall for It!" informant! If you have something to share you believe may be a fraudulent offer or scam, please let the BBB know! Call us at (859) 259-1008 or toll-free, 1-800-866-6668, or email us at info@lexbbb.com.