Victim Location 29644
Type of a scam COVID-19
Offered and approved me for 50,000 grant but need to pay a fee first…figured it was a scam…gonna play this out not to mess with them…only thing I regret was gave up birthdate and address
Victim Location 46016
Total money lost $200
Type of a scam Government Grant
They called and said I qualified for a federal grant for 9000 dollars. All I had to do was go to Walmart and pay 200 money gram. And then they would put money on a card for me. And I needed to call a lady named Kate White at 202-503-90127 Ext 441. And she was going to walk me thru everything at Walmart for the transaction. And then I was given a code number #BT1420 and once I gave them that I would receive my 9000
Victim Location 28168
Total money lost $300
Type of a scam Government Grant
The scamers called from a 2026435925 told me to called this no# 3152940140 told me i had grant 9000 it would only take 200 to rellease it i did that then got another no# 3474940235 which is federal reserve bank sayin they cant transfer to nc cause my state dept. They had to have 300 more to transfer to account im mad i want this cold heart people stop! Please that was all money i had
Victim Location 29045
Type of a scam Government Grant
A friend sent me the information to get a grant. When I spoke tp Marie Williams she approved it within an hour for 50.000.00. I wasn’t to say anything about the money until I received it at my door. She wanted 500.00 in order to receive the money. unable to put the information in I received from her.
Victim Location 63116
Type of a scam Government Grant
They had sent me a text saying that if I paid $1,000, I would be able to get $150,000 and so on depending on how much I paid. They "checked" my name in their system and let me know that I won a chance to get this money. At that point I ended the call. The whole thing felt off. Since I have stopped texting them back they keep sending me texts asking, "Are you there?".
Victim Location 43224
Type of a scam Government Grant
I received FB messenger message from a friend of mine with her picture on it. Inviting to share the information of a Federal Government Grant. They gave me the phone #(270) 693-4722 to contact through What’s app, since I didn’t have that he said I could text Michael. He replied to my text and Identified Himself as Dr. Michael Robinson from the disbursement department of the federal government grant.
So the only thing they got was my email and Our name and home address.
The email address that contacted me with the information requested
Michael Robinson
[email protected], Full name :_______________
Address :_______________
Male/Female :_______________
Age :_________________________
Married/Single :_______________
Next Of Kin :_______________
Next Of Kin Address :_______________
Phone Number :_______________
E-mail :_________________________
Hearing or Deaf :_______________
Occupation :_______________
Monthly Income :_______________
Do you Own a house or Rent Apartment :_____________
Do you want cash or check?
You need to fill out the information now so we can
proceed
When I came home, the email was here, and I became suspicious when I went to tell supposedly my friend that I would call her, and she said no need to call. So when I called and there was no answer on her phone, I then went to the web and did a scam search and found this was a scam on your website. I sent ***, a text that we were on our way home and I would fill out the paperwork. Replied to me just for 15-20 minutes you spend on it, and I replied I’ll call and then the person replied no need of calling, I replied OK but I thought that was odd, so I called her phone anyway and she didn’t answer, and the person replied have you gotten home now and then I tried it again still no answer so I went to search on scams and sent them this message "ok I just checked about a scam like this. and I connected the link, And texted them that I’ll check it out before I go any further. Then the person replied where have you gotten all this information from Don’t be afraid of going out any length on this okay? It real and legitimated. I’m calling to verify this was on line. Truly scam are much using this format to collect money from people but this one am telling you is real Are you there? I dropped the conversation there. I have taken pictures of this conversation.
Victim Location 46204
Type of a scam Government Grant
They answer the phone as the the Treasury Department. They contacted me to let me know I can get a $9,000 Federal Grant. All I had to do was pay a $200.00 fee and I could receive my grant money. I knew it was a scam and contacted my Better Business Bureau, which verified it was a scam.
Victim Location 30075
Type of a scam Government Grant
A person posing as Frank Bobbitt said that Adam Howard would qualify people for federal grants. Both are on Facebook. I was instructed to "add Adam Howard as a friend." The "add friend" function was no working. Then I was instructed to message Adam Howard. I immediately received a response. He "checke the system" and informed me that I qualified to be an applicant. He asked if I would like to apply. After that I blocked him and Frank Bobbitt from Facebook
Victim Location 78245
Type of a scam Government Grant
Called by a person stating that he was calling from government grant confirmed some of by information provide me with a active # CH705 and to call (415)691-4411 spoke with Daisy ext 105 told me to go to Walmart to get by money ,yolfyto call her when I arrived , I had to pay for the service fee to Walmart $200 would be refunded back to me with the $9300. I asked her is there a you had to pay she stated no. But I can’t to the money If I don’t pay Walmart $200 fee,
Victim Location 62361
Type of a scam Government Grant
This person doesn’t speak good English but they have called me everyday for over two weeks now I have reported, I have told them I’m not interested and to quit calling my number but they are still calling me
Victim Location 29102
Type of a scam Government Grant
They have called multiple times claiming my phone number has been selected to receive a federal grant that I never have to pay back. They keep calling multiple times everyday.
Victim Location 47802
Type of a scam Government Grant
I got a message through Messenger and it looked like it was my sister in law sending the message saying I qualified for a grant for $400,000.00 He said I needed to fill a form out he has a picture of me my full name and address. I stopped after that and contacted the ScamPulse.com and my sister
Victim Location 46168
Type of a scam Government Grant
After getting the call I had to call 315-220-0069 and speak with someone to make arrangements I was receiving $9,000 government grant and I needed to pay them $233.00 which would be refund with grant. They said I had 3 choices on how to get the money. Either give them a credit or debt card number to add it. Or give them my bank info for direct deposit. Or I could pick it up via western union and get it with my picture ID.
They had selected a certain number of people and it was people who had no criminal record, been paying taxes.
Victim Location 43204
Type of a scam Government Grant
I applied for some grants to start my own business. Ales called to say I got a Federal Grant. She said the Federal government picks some people and I’d been approved for $9000 grant and call them back and give them the reference number KL707 to release the money. Kathleen at x.147. pay $250 on a gift card from Walmart, Rite Aid or Dollar General. They also said Western Union. She said I needed to call them back at 206-880-3244 to get the information to pick the money up. They said it would take 20 minutes to release the money. She had a foreign accent, maybe Arabian. She said don’t let anybody get the information because they will use it to take the money. She asked if I was married, if I had kids, how long I’d lived here, and whether I was employed. She said the money was not to be used for anything illegal, but could be used for bills. I’m on SSI, I can’t afford to be scammed.
Victim Location 80514
Type of a scam Government Grant
They won’t stop calling got 49 calls in one day told them to take me off calling list refused to asked to talk to a manager said they are busy went with the deal got another number to call called them said to go to a bank and call back very rude extremely rude she hung up on me so I called back 49 times
Victim Location 32926
Type of a scam Government Grant
They want you to go to Wal-Mart to buy a play card for 250.00 dollars and then they will sent 9700.00 I said that sounds fishy and she hung up
Victim Location 32073
Type of a scam Government Grant
Consumer was contacted via Facebook by a lady he thought was his friend, as they used her name.
He was told by her she got $50,000 from a federal grant and he should try for one, also.
They asked him to pay $2,500 up front. They also told consumer his friend was paying $1,500. Consumer contacted his friend- she knew nothing about it , as she is in hospital.
The name used by the gentleman with Federal Grant is John Thomson. He would not give out any phone numbers, does all business through Facebook. Told him to report this to Facebook, also.
Victim Location 75217
Type of a scam Government Grant
This person with a thick, foreign accent claimed to work for US Federal Grant agency, and told me I can get a free Grant
Victim Location 34266
Total money lost $200
Type of a scam Government Grant
This was the 3rd time this # called, so I answered. They knew my name(maybe from my Vmail message). He said he was with the federal government and that I was selected to receive a $9,200 grant under the ARRA (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act). Also, that I was selected because I didn’t file bankruptcy, paid my bills and my taxes, and haven’t received any assistance through the tough economic times. Sounded to be maybe from India(accent). He gave me my Grant ID and a phone # to call as if he only verifies who are with the Grant to be awarded. So you call this next person and give them the Grant ID and your name, and they instruct you on where to go. Take your drivers license or state issued ID and go to Kroger, Wal-Mart, 7-Eleven, Walgreens…. and a couple other choices and call this# to speak with the senior representative when you get in the parking lot before you go in. Then he instructs you to go in where they have the gift cards, find the Google Play $10-$500 card.and load the money onto it($200..originally 199). There was no fee to load the card. This was for some transaction fee which you would be refunded IMMEDIATELY upon receiving the Grant funds, which increases the amount to be received to $9,400. So I did as instructed while on the phone with this "gov’t agent" of the ARRA. He then instructs you to scratch the back of the card to reveal the acces code and read it to him. Then he wants to know do you have a debit card or bank account for the grant funds to be transferred to. Reason being, Western Union and Money gram wouldn’t handle this amount. He asks me to hold while he gets the transfer process initiated. After a few minutes, he comes back with this issue, "because it’s a Grant, non-taxable funds, my banking institution won’t release the funds without seeing where the taxes are paid which then he says to me, "you’re just 1 step away from receiving the funds. All I need do is go in and load another $498 onto that card and call him back. This amount will also be awarded at the same time of receiving the funds. He says, "write this total down in your paper, that’s $9,898 when you get that $498 tax paid. THIS IS WHERE I QUIT!
Victim Location 47834
Type of a scam Government Grant
They said I qualified for a grant of $9350.00. They wanted me to go to Walmart and buy a Stem Card $250.00 that would be refunded with the money I received.
Victim Location 46204
Type of a scam Government Grant
They called and said I qualified for a $9700.00 Federal Government Grant. But I had to pay $300.00. I did let that far as to how to get them the money. I told them I shouldn’t have to pay to get a federal grant and I ended the call then.
Victim Location 68510
Type of a scam Government Grant
I keep getting calls from all around Nebraska stating now is the chance to have my federal student loan forgiven. I have told them repeatedly that I do not have a loan. Quite honestly, I am a veteran and actually have two degrees. Not once when I went to school did I have to pay. The VA paid the whole thing so I have no student loan debt. Anyway, I select 1 or 5 to be connected to an operator and immediately tell them that I would be so much better if they would stop calling me. Twice I was asked how long have I had this number. I tell them I am not obligated to tell them and it doesn’t matter. I do not have a federal student loan. At least this last time it was an American speaking individual but she still got nasty with me. She said the calls will continue as my number is connected with someone that has a student loan. I tell her again I do not have a student loan and it does not matter how long I have had this number. I made the verbal request to remove my number and stop calling and she again stated that the calls would continue and I hung up on her. Keep in mind, the numbers were coming from out of state now they all begin w/402.
Victim Location 47949
Type of a scam Government Grant
Mr. Albert Richmond 360-226-0871 Extension 117 Said I qualified for federal grant for $9,000 I could get today. If I purchased a Esteem Card for $200.00 I then contacted the ScamPulse.com.
Victim Location 70555
Total money lost $750
Type of a scam Government Grant
I got a call from Victoria Ryan at the Federal Grant saying I as chosen for a free grant worth $10,600 and all i had to send was $1, 250 to Evan Rodgers (ID # 1990) who I talked to. He told me to buy 7 $100.00 iTunes gift cards and 1 $50.00 iTunes gift cards. Said I was going to get my money back. Then he congratulated me and told me to call my bank. I did not receive any money and have not been able to reach them again.
Victim Location 98092
Type of a scam Government Grant
See fed grant on web page
Victim Location 02898
Type of a scam Government Grant
727-683-6108 called my sell from Clearwater fla said I was awarded 9000$ federal grant and had me call 206-451-5353 speak to Eric Morrison ext 107 from Bainbridge Island Washington. He told me to go to western union call him back and pay 200$ so they could wire me 9000$ plus my 200$ back to me at that time
Victim Location 29341
Type of a scam Government Grant
Caller stated to call 202-630-9574 that I had won $9,000.00 Federal Grant. I need to buy an I Tunes card and put$ 250.00 onit.
Victim Location 14626
Type of a scam Government Grant
They are calling saying that I have a grant available in the amount of $9,000. It can only be wired to me. First I pay $200 for registration, but that money is refunded and I will get $9,200 wired back to me.
If I ask questions or they know I’m not taking them serious they immediately hang up. They will call a few times a day.
Victim Location 53704
Type of a scam Government Grant
I received a call from a man with an accent saying he was with the US Federal Grant Dept with an ID #RC501 and said that I was randomly selected to receive a grant in the amount of $9000 because I pay my taxes on time and don’t have a criminal. I was told I could pick it up on Walmart, Walgreen’s or Western Union, but that I would need to call the transaction dept. at 646-504-8783. I was told to call immediately. I ended up hanging up.
Victim Location 59901
Type of a scam Government Grant
They tried to say that I was going to revieve a federal grant and kept trying to get me to go up to walmart to use gift cards or anywhere with moneygram or western union oruse a bank account. Somewhere to send the money but there would be a one time fee. They didnt even know my full name.
Victim Location 54479
Total money lost $800
Type of a scam Government Grant
I was contacted by Alvin Levy from the Federal Grants dept saying that I had qualified for a $8000 grant. He have me his ID number. I had to sent an activation fee in the amount of $300 through Google Pay. Then I was contacted by his superior that said I needed to pay !0% state tax in the amount of $700 but I ended up paying $500, again through Google Pay. Finally I spoke to John Smith who wanted $200 more. I realized that it must be a scam. I found the number for federal grants under resourcefinder.info.
Victim Location 50322
Type of a scam Government Grant
Mary called and asked if my first name correct, I said speaking.
She preceded to tell me that I was randomly selected among 1500 other citizens who were in good standing with the federal government and was eligible to receive a federal grant over $9,000.00. I was chosen because I had not filed bankruptcy within the last 6 months. I was given a "grant confirmation number" and was told to call her senior account back at different number to give him that number and to get the money. I asked how I was to get this money and she said through a store card that could take to a place like Walmart to cash. Just call this number back and we’ll send it out to you. I did write down the number, but did not give any other info. I hung up and got the call back number which was different than one she gave.
Next day, same sounding voice, "Mary" called with same message. I hung up right away. I got the call back number which was different than the two the day before.
Letting others know.
Victim Location 29690
Type of a scam Government Grant
Person stated that I was randomly picked for a government grant for $9000 and the 3 ways I can claim this money, one being by credit card or money gram
Victim Location 38106
Type of a scam Government Grant
On April 13, 2017 (3:30 PM) I recd a ph on call my cell phone from Sharon Miller who stated I could receive a Govt Grant for $9200 and I could use it anyway I wanted to. I was told to call 315-203-3887 to activate it. I could go to Walgreens, Family Dollar , etc to pick up the money. It did not make any sense to me so I called the ScamPulse.com instead.
While I was speaking to a ScamPulse.com representive I had several calls from the same party.
Victim Location 27292
Type of a scam Government Grant
They keep calling from different phone numbers saying I have been approved for a federal grant through my tax returns.in order to receive the grant I gave to go local Wal-Mart and pay 250.00 to get a verification card. I have received grants before and never had to do that. When I questioned if it could be taken out of the grant, they disconnected the call. Sounds fishy to me.
Victim Location 78611
Type of a scam Government Grant
Called to offer me a free federal grant that will be deposited into my bank account and would not need to be repaid back in the form of $9,000. I was selected because I have good credit and have been paying my bills on time. Man barely spoke English and was hard to understand.
Victim Location 60107
Type of a scam Government Grant
they call you telling you that you have been pick to receive federal grant. You have receive this because you have have paid your tax’s and etc..
Victim Location 34996
Type of a scam Government Grant
I received a call from (202) 681-1328. They told me I had to pay $200 registration fee to the federal reserve bank of ny and then they will deposit $9,200 into my bank, debit or credit card. The lady’s name I spoke with was Sofia with a file number of gs571. I want to know if this is fake. Or if they are trying to scam me for $200.
Thank you,
Nicole Smith
Victim Location 83709
Type of a scam Government Grant
I got a call from a woman with a heavy accent telling me that I was selected to receive a federal grant money. At first the amount was in the tens of thousands, then she mentioned 1,800.00 it was hard to understand, so I’m not sure. Then she asked how I would like to receive the money and mentioned CVS, Debit card, Wal-Mart Card, Western Union, etc. Again, I’m not sure if I misunderstood that those were the options to receive the money. I was then told to verify my name, I made up one, my zipcode, I used a different one and my age and work status. I made up all info. Then I was told to call another number with an ID number. I called and the woman who answered with an accent told me to call back in five minutes because she had to verify my ID number. I didn’t call back.
Victim Location 76044
Type of a scam Government Grant
Consumer received a phone call telling him that he was eligible for a government grant. In order for him to receive the alleged $50,000, he would have to wire money (approximately $850) to an individual named David Benavides. There were two numbers for David Benavides: (484) 971-4350 and (409) 241-9361. The consumer knows it is a scam and started to question them. The scammer then began to threaten the consumer telling him that he was "messing with the federal government" and was "required to cooperate." The consumer is receiving multiple phone calls from the scammers now, but will not answer the phone anymore.
Victim Location 29306
Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes
Qualify for Federal Grant for 8500.00 I need to go to a Western Union or a Family Dollar Store and registered for $225.00. Cut conversation short. Name was Steve Harris 202-681-8664 ext. 120
Victim Location 43215
Type of a scam Government Grant
As told to OH BBB staff member K.J. about a Federal grant scam she received via email. They were requesting she send money to pay for a $5000 grant to be used for anything she stated. I asked what it was going to be used for and she wanted to pay off bills. She asked if she could use it for that purpose in the reply email, and was told yes. When she emailed them back, they asked her to send money ($200.00) to pay the fees and taxes. Then she told them she didn’t have any money could they deduct it from her funds? She said they told her to borrow the money because she would get it back when she got the loan and she told them she didn’t have anyone to ask. They never responded back she states. 2 days later she said she received a phone call similar to the same type of scam but this time asking her to buy a I Tunes card and put $130 on it. They cursed at me and I hung up on them and they keep calling me right back harassing me and I want them to stop calling. I was told to call you guys at the BBB and report it.
Victim Location 43215
Type of a scam Government Grant
As described to OH ScamPulse.com staff member K.J. over the phone. A man stated to the consumer that she was eligible to receive a Government grant of $9000 because she paid her bills on time. She ask the caller if she would have to pay anything, and was told no. Then he asked for her to go to Walmart and get a I tunes card with $130 to pay for the fees. She then asked why do I have to pay for the fees in advanced? He told her that it was a state law here. Then her husband got on the phone and said why do we have to pay for anything if you say it is free, and he then hanged up the phone. The husband had me listen to the phone call with the number he dialed of 202-560-9877 and it was a recording stating try your call again later. So he waited a minute and dialed again. He got the same recording. They stated to me they receive a call from that person at least 10 -15 x’s a day for the past 2 weeks. She said she just want the calls to stop since she knew it was a scam.
Victim Location 29349
Type of a scam Government Grant
Called on the phone to give me government grant. Government grant was for $9,000.00 but would have to pay $250.00 for taxes. Would received $9, 250.00 back. Ask how would I receive the money, I told them through money gram. Callers name was Shawn, did not speak good English.
Victim Location 32205
Type of a scam Government Grant
Received a call from 315-210-8632 telling me I had been awarded a government grant of $9,000 and in order for me to receive the grant I had to pay $200. When I told the caller that I knew this was a scam he cussed at me and hung up.
Victim Location 61704
Total money lost $900
Type of a scam Government Grant
A Federal Grant co