Protecting Yourself From Scams
Posted on March 19, 2008 - Filed Under Finance
Sadly there are many government grant scams all over the United States. Literally thousands of people have tried to apply for one of these so-called government grants and then find out the whole thing was a scam. The American government does sponsor grant programs and gives grants to qualified and deserving citizens but not every so called government affiliated agency is in fact connected to the government. Some of these groups just want to get hold of your personal information and use it to their advantage and your detriment. The following facts should help you to steer well clear of such fraudulent organizations. Your first line of defense in protecting yourself from “shady” business people is to go to a government sponsored website. The website should usually end in the extension .gov. This is not always the case, but more often than not, if it’s a .gov website, it is legitimate.
If an organization contacts you about a grant opportunity, it is probably a scam. The United States government does sponsor many legitimate grant programs but you normally have to contact them first, to express your interest and ask about the application procedures. Financial grants are governed by congress, and available to citizens who put in an application for one. It does not just contact people at random! If somebody contacts you and claims to be a government representative, do not give out personal information or answer probing questions. Try to find a way of contacting them for verification. If they are reluctant to give out contact details, they are scammers and should be avoided or reported. If you are suspicious of anyone calling you on the phone, hang up immediately. Reputable companies do not try to give you money over the phone. Never give out or confirm your social security or telephone numbers.
It is probably a scam if they claim they will give you ‘free money’. Any agency offering a free grant without conditions is most likely fraudulent. The government is very responsible and does not throw around its taxpayers’ money. Agencies asking for your bank account details or credit card number should be mistrusted. Identity theft is one of the many reasons they might have for wanting such information. A real government grant program will require the applicants to pass stringent qualification procedures. Getting a grant is not an easy process and can take months. Giving out personal details to someone you don’t know and might be a scammer is one way of letting your bank account be emptied or your identity stolen. It is always better to err on the side of caution.
Nothing in life is free and anyone phoning you to offer free money is, in fact, just out for what they can get.
If you have doubts about a particular agency, contact your local government department. This is the best way to ensure you are not being scammed. Government offices will have all relevant numbers listed in public directories and will be able to tell you or not whether the agency in contact with you is genuine or scammers. Bottom line is this: Noone will contact you to give you money. Never give your personal details on the phone or through the mail. Know who you are dealing with. Guard your personal data aggressively.
David Pierce is owner of Easy Grant Money A website aimed at educating people about grants and the grant process.
Tags: cash, check, difficult, government, grants, money, scams
Related Posts
- Make Money Online For Free
- Avoiding Working From Home Scams
- Moving Company Scams - Movers Scam
- How To Find Legitimate Work At Home Jobs Quickly And Easily
- Is A Work At Home Job Profitable?
Comments
Leave a Reply
