Federal Grant

Federal Grant Scam: How It Works

As our mandate is to educate our readers about the latest financial fraud cases, we have a new one this week – the Federal grant. A fake $9,000 government grant is offered via a phone call by scammers impersonating the federal authorities. Free money from the government is always lovely to have but watch out for this scam. It even involves using a Steam card (like in this example), if you know what that is.

Alternatively, scammers could make you believe that you received a Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), which is a grant dedicated to undergraduate students with exceptional financial needs. But the main scam targets the everyday citizen.


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Let's take a look.

Imagine this: you get a call from someone claiming to be from the government and informing you that, because of the COVID-19 economic situation and some new specific laws and regulations, you are eligible to receive $9,000. That's a grant, which is money that you don't have to return. A stimulus check.

The only conditions for you to fully qualify are that you don't have a criminal record, didn't go bankrupt the last six months, and have been a loyal citizen for the government. Furthermore, you can use the money for a useful purpose to start a business or an education stage. Besides, to receive the grant, a full conversation needs to be established.

But how does the Government Grant Scam work? Watch the video below to see it exposed:

Federal Grant: How To Avoid

If you want to protect yourself from scams like these, you never have to reveal your personal data to anyone you don't know. You can't win money for grants you didn't apply for, anyway. Call his bluff or hang up the phone.

If you want to play with someone who calls to say you won money, ask him/her to send you a valid check, just like the real grants come. Don't give your actual address, maybe only your work's address. Free money from the government doesn't happen that easily.

In a different variation of the fraud, beware of many SBA loan scams or debt relief scams (check out the Freedom Debt Relief) going around.

Federal Grant Scam: How To Report

Warn your family and friends about the Federal Grant Scam by sharing it on social media using the buttons provided. You can also officially report the scammers to the Federal Trade Commission using the link below:

Report To The FTC Here

How To Prevent Identity Theft and More

If you want to be the first to find out the most notorious scams every week, feel free to subscribe to the Scam Detector newsletter here. You'll receive periodic emails – we promise not to spam. Last but not least, use the Comments section below to expose other scammers.

Feedback Received:

We wrote this article as a response to the plethora of email messages we received via our email and Facebook page, asking us about the integrity of the federal grant. Here are the most significant comments and experiences from our readers (grammar included – the spelling is as they did it). Did you receive anything similar?

Paula Adams:

“I was sent a number from a friend on my Facebook mentioning free government grants for a 2% clearance fee. MY wife died two months ago, and I was desperate for finances. I said I wanted 10,000 dollars, and they said I would need to buy Walmart gift cards to pay the 200 dollar fee. To sweeten the pot, they said they would add 2000 dollars to the payout. They did not respond and did not deliver that night. The following day they told me I needed to pay an additional 550 dollars to get the grant. Once again, desperation caused me to be foolish. They said I would get the cash at my home at noon. They did not show up and still never have. When I finally got in contact, they said I needed to pay another 300 dollars, and they would deliver. The guy kept telling me the reason I did not have my grant was that I had trust issues. He kept trying to get me to say I cancel without a refund. They already withdrew the money from the gift cards. So they have 750 of my money. I could not afford to give someone 750 dollars. The number that I texted back and forth with is 715-997-1769 said his name is David I also have an email and to Cash app id's I want this prick arrested. He still keeps pestering me for the Custom Fee of 300 dollars more.”

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant

Michele C:

“I received a call stating that I was randomly chosen because of my good standing as a citizen. I was being given a grant fo $11k. Now I received a grant for college. I had to apply tor it, and the check came to me, and I did not pay for anything, ill also say this, I could barely understand her with her heavy middle Eastern accent. When I called her out on her B.S., she said to me, “screw you.” The # was: 202.618.2551 from Damascus, MD, for an “ARRA” grant. My unique number was #MS717. What tipped me off was, she needed payment for 250$ to pay for something being careful of what she said what the amount was for.”

Barb Z:

“I got a call from Brenda from New York 2128659827. She told me I was getting a grant from the U.S. Government because I was a good citizen. I didn't have a criminal record and have not filed for bankruptcy in the last six months. I needed to call 2532895076 to release the grant of$14,589. I called spoke to a man named Anthony Wilson Badge# AW118. He started asking me my age if I owned my home if I lived alone. When I questioned why this was needed, he told me to shut up and called me a bitch and hung up on me. This federal grant is definitely a SCAM!!!”

Peter:

“This person said if I want free grant money. I had to pay $500, and within 24 hours, a box will be at my door. Coming from FedEx, it was $40.000,00 all in cash. This person said to go to western union or get an Amazon gift card and put the money on and that the $500 on it, is that cash is counterfeit. Still, he said winning money I was about to go for I did give him my name, not my bank account I know a person just done it they pay that person there $500 and 24 hours a box was at there door it was cash.”

I wanted to know is that a scam because the person got now $40.000,00. I just put it in there bank account wow who can't use $40.000. Also, he supposes to work for the Federal Government Agency. So is that a scam the person told me no its no scam it is legal the one that got the box with cash in it myself I wanted to go for it, but I didn't go through with it.”

Christina P:

“I received a call today from 202-768-2119, which came up on my phone as a Washington D.C. number. I was randomly selected to receive a $9000 grant. They even stated that I did not apply but was randomly selected because no criminal background, haven't filed for bankruptcy in the last six months, etc. They stated they were from the Grant & Treasury Department. This was a grant given to me by the U.S. Government, not a school grant, etc. They gave me a code to receive my grant. Also asked me if there was a Wal-Mart, Walgreens, Western Union blah blah that I wanted it sent to in order to receive cash in hand. Mind you, they also had my info, except my actual address. They even knew what city I live in. I was instructed to call 206-629-6019, give them my code, and follow further instructions to receive my money. After speaking with the next person, I almost fell for this until they said I needed a deposit of $250, and I would receive it right back (receiving a total of $9250). I explained to them that I did not have that right now, and the lady put me on hold. She came back and said she could put my file on hold until further notice (but there was no rush), or could I find a way to get the money. I was told I could call her back (her name was Janet ext 1167) when I get to the parking lot, and they would stay on the line with me blah blah. You know the rest. These people need to be stopped.”

Jameela:

“I Just received a call from 1 306 687 6676 saying I have been granted a $7000 Loyalty Grant from the U.S. Government. I was told to call 202 602 2691 and speak to the Financial Management. I was given an I.D. # of 7169765.”

Helen Royka:

“I received a call from 789-023-4567 ext 101 from a man saying his name was Stephen Johnson and he was with the federal government. Did I ask what division? He said the Federal Government, so I said what division as there are so many. He couldn't answer and just gave me his ext number. He said that I was eligible to receive a 9,000 grant that is under the National Recovery Act or AARA put in place by Barack Obama in 2009. He then gave me a 315-221-3673 number along with a code to give them to be able to gain access to said money. I called but minded you, I already knew it was a scam, so I decided to play with them. The man asked me to go to a dollar general, family dollar, rite-aid, or Walgreens and purchase a card for 250.00, and once I did that, he would release my funds. I laughed and said I am unemployed and don't have that, and he asked how long before I would have it. I told him again I am unemployed, and he hung up on me. I tried calling back the 789 number that called me first, and it was out of service, so I called the 315number back and told the man I would be reporting him for scam and fraud. He said you could do what u wish and proceeded to tell me I was crazy. I said if u work for federal government u cant talk to people like that, so I asked for his name, branch of government he worked for, and his superior officer's name and number. He said I don't have to give you that information and said I was insane and then hung up on me. I thoroughly enjoyed myself giving them as much grief as I could. Best laugh I have had in a long time.”

Martin:

“Just got a call saying I got government grant for 9200$. All I needed was to get a 100$ steam card call this number 202-643-7280 give dem ref code for the money to deposit in my account which I made a mistake by giving them a Netspend account info which I just canceled by checking on the internet to see if this was a scam. Federal grant my a*&”

Julie S.:

“WOW!!  I got a call from a Virginia number 804-974-0925. Woman with a heavy accent said I was chosen because I had no bankruptcies, no criminal records, etc., to receive $9k from a federal grant. Gave me an I.D. # and phone number to call. I wanted to know how long before I was going to call the 202-922-6299 number she gave me. I called right away and got a heavy accent guy who gave id #1102, John Carter. Using Google voice recognition, he repeated the limited info I gave the first caller. He instructed me to go to a Walmart and call him from the parking lot, and he will stay on the phone while I make a transaction, including a $200 registration card I must use to activate, and I will receive $9,200 via money gram. I was told not to say anything to anyone about it, and would you believe I got a call back from the 202# a couple of hours later, encouraging me to go to Walmart. Said the money was from American Recovery Reinvestment under Health and Human Services. This is the stimulus act during Bush and Obama administrations that sent $300-$600 in tax rebates, etc. and sometimes checks. What a scam!!!”


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selma hrynchuk
Selma HrynchukSelma is a fraud prevention specialist renowned for her expertise in private eye investigations and a remarkable partnership with law enforcement agencies. Beyond her investigative triumphs, her public speaking engagements and written works have empowered countless individuals to protect themselves and stay ahead of deceptive schemes. Selma's legacy shines as a tenacious agent of change, unyielding in her commitment to battling fraud and ensuring a safer world for all.

9 thoughts on “Federal Grant”

  1. I’m a network technician and a you have to do is click and open an email from an unknown person or group. Once that is cone if you have no kind of protection on your phone or PC you just gave them access to everything they need to be you. I used to work for a co. Pany that did government contract work. I was in the phone with the guy we were talking about scams. He said open my email after I gave him my work email address. Once I did that, he read back to me all the info my company had on file for me. He said see how easy it is to get someone’s info. Stay secure stay safe don’t open emails from companies of people you don’t know. Get a VPN or a Good virus protection, even the cbeel ones get updated so as long as you have something it helps.

  2. Jonette Wright

    I just received a phone call from a 757-349-5091 he told me that I was chosen to receive it’s free Federal grant money for 12,000 trying to get my banking information because he gave me the option to pick it up at Walmart or rite aid or Walgreens all these places so that’s the option I chose he gave me a some kind of ID verification of zm203 that’s what I was supposed to give to the person I was supposed to call at a 419-974-0206 I was supposed to give provide them with that number tell them I was calling about my free grant money they said that was the number I had to call right back after they hung up otherwise I wouldn’t get my grant money needless to say I didn’t call because I’ve been getting a lot of these phone calls lately some of them been for $9,000 some of them are ridiculous amount but I knew they were all scams because that just doesn’t happen like that so beware people there are so many scams going around especially on Facebook and Twitter pretty much all the social medias don’t be foolish and give out your information

  3. Crystal betancourt

    I had got a call from 419-974-0206 and a call from 646-397-8540 and they told me to buy 2 google gift cards for $100 and another for $150 and they told me i was getting 12,000 in 15 mins and i didnt get no money and i want them found and arrested cause im very poor and that money i was saving to get a new place to live for me and my kids and now i have no money not even to buy a meal for my kids today please the scammers names are frank and asalya one is from oho and the ther is from westchester ny.

    1. i had the dame one call me. they wrote 12 checks to me in about 15 minutes and one cleared and they withdrew the money directly after it cleared. I was then short on my rent and got evicted. lovely, I kept calling until they answered and the guy said im sorry but if you suck my…Ill get the loan for you. If i could find him he wouldnt have one left.

  4. Cris Williams is telling me he is head of federal grant program. He seem full of crap. Wants me to release info to grant me money. Please investigate this guy. Im not buyin into it

  5. I recently received a friend request on FB messenger from a woman who told me she had just received a FGCG grant of $50,000 that she didn’t have to pay back. She directed me to a man by the name of Ryder Roberts who is in charge of giving away these grants to individuals who need assistance. Although I gave him my name, birthdate and address, I realized I should do some research before I give out more personal information. I did not give any banking information, nor have they asked yet. I told them I was busy at the moment and will get back to them shortly with the answers to their next questions. still nothing about bank info or requesting money but they do ask for my driver’s license information and mother’s maiden name which I thought was strange.
    Does this sound familiar? As a scam, I mean… I think it is. Am I correct to assume this? I was told that the Federal Home Care and family support of free cash grants that all US Canada and Australia, Europe, United Kingdom tax paying citizens are entitled to it and I/we should all take advantage of it,……ect …

    1. i got one like that from a facebook friend who show mme a check from a government benifit grant check that she said she cashed with no problem she sent me to a site to aguy named agent joe roberts who asked for information from me ,nothing finance and i would get sent a check the next day fo12900 i asked was there a fee he said no then latter on he told me to go to a bitcoin atm and draw 380 dollars out of it ..i was like i dont have that kind of money ,,he then asked what do you have ,do you have 200 or 100 he would ask the admimnasrtion if that amount was ok for the delivery of the check the next day at 11am …

  6. A friend of mine on Facebook told me he received money from this lady Mrs. Frances DUNCAN via the AMERICAN HOPE RESOURCES and that, even if I am a Belgian citizen, I could also ask for a money help. This money is, according to him, not refundable, not taxable…He transfered the link to Frances DUNCAN to me. But I have to admit that I am not that confident.I have the impression that this could be, as we call it in Belgium, a HOAX.
    I guess it doesn’t matter what country you are from, you qualify for a grant lol

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