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Office of Consumer Affairs
 Consumer Factsheet
 

Government Grant Scams
 

  
  Have you received telephone calls or emails from individuals claiming to be with the United States government offering you grant money? Or perhaps you visited a website promising “free” government grant money to pay for education, home business expenses, or bills. Beware if you respond you could become a victim of a government grant scam!

Government grant scammers will tell you that your application is guaranteed to be accepted, and you will never have to pay the money back. You are told that you must provide the name of your bank and your bank account numbers in order to withdraw money to cover a one-time processing fee, plus the funds can be deposited directly in your bank account. Not only will you not see any grant money, but if you provide your bank account number, you will lose your “processing fee.”

Helpful Tips for Avoiding Government Grant Scams:

• You must apply in writing for legitimate government grants and there are no fees. For more information on available federal government grants visit www.grants.gov .

• The government will NEVER telephone, email, or send solicitation letters.

• Government grants are not issued simply because you pay taxes on time or to pay personal financial debts.

• Beware of look-a-like names. Just because the name of the agency includes “Federal” does not mean it is legitimate.

• Check out companies offering government grants before giving out bank account information by calling the County of Summit Office of Consumer Affairs.
 		  
 


Need Information?    Need to File a Complaint?
 
Summit County Office of Consumer Affairs
175 South Main Street, Suite 209
Akron, OH 44308
Website: www.co.summit.oh.us/conaffairs.htm
Email: consumeraffairs@summitoh.net
Phone: (330) 643-2879