Thanks to technology, our BBB system is connected throughout the US and Canada. So, when a scam or consumer rip-off starts brewing on one coast, we can alert consumers about the danger hoping to minimize the damage on the other coast.
An all BBB alert was issued mid-July about another grant scam
www.NeverPayItBack.com that is taking hold and costing consumers not only an up front fee, but monthly recurring fees of $39.95 a month.
Their ad states they are America’s Ultimate Money Source, but it appears as if America is just the money source for the unknown scammers!
The scam is what you already know. The company entices you to “act today” to claim “100% guaranteed” free $2,500 in “The Stimulus Funds” and hey, you’ll “never have to pay it back”! WOW!
All it took was one click and I was notified I was Pre-Approved to claim part of the two million dollars in federal funding that is coming to my local district - no questions asked – but how did they know my district or whether or not I’m even eligible?
Throughout the website, they simply state (over and over and over) “free money is there for the taking” and it must be legit because there’s Obama in a video talking about the stimulus package and hey, there’s the logos “as seen on CNN and ABC”!
Okay guys – let’s do it again, the government does NOT give grants to individuals for individual’s use; grants are to benefit the good of the public and are usually directed to non-profit organizations.
The feds’ website is
www.grants.gov (note – most government websites end in .gov) and if you have a minute, read the info on this link
http://www.grants.gov/aboutgrants/eligibility.jsp.
Now, if this website isn’t offensive enough (again, for fun, read terms/conditions of neverpayitback.com and see if you’re not offended), let me tell you about the phone calls consumers are receiving!
Your caller ID will read a 202 area code, DC, so it must be official! The caller states they are from the Federal Funds Administration (again, how official), and you can claim your grant funds through
www.federalfundsadministration.com for a simple upfront fee of $28.
Now we’re back to neverpayingitback – same site! The thing to note here is these phone calls violate Do Not Call regulations and those governing telemarketing as they “spoof” the number, hiding their real number through the miracle of technology to project the 202 area code.
THE BAD NEWS? FTC reports more than 600,000 people have bee duped out of $300 million in recession-related scams. THE GOOD NEWS?
According to a 7/23/09 release from the FTC, the Commission has yet again struck out against a grant scam company AND the telemarketing firm after testifying on 7/14/09 before the U.S. Senate about the FTC’s efforts to protect consumers who are “vulnerable to these financial distress scams during tough economic times.”
Your tip for the day? While the song may go, “That ain’t workin, that’s the way you do it, money for nothing . . .”, there is no such thing in today’s world as free money!
- Don’t give out your bank account info to anyone you don’t know (telemarketers + unsolicited call may = scam)
- Don’t pay any money for a “free” government grant – hey, if you’re paying for it, it isn’t free – BIG warning sign
- Phone numbers can deceive thanks to technology
- Check the internet or the blue pages for government agencies’ names to avoid sound-alikes and look-alikes
- Take control by registering at www.donotcall.gov and file a complaint with FTC www.ftc.gov and BBB www.bbb.org if you are victimized by a scam! Don’t be silent!
Well, that’s more info than you wanted, but info YOUR BBB thought you might need. We’ll talk soon! Angie
