* There ain't no such thing as a free lunch (TANSTAFL)
* If it looks too good to be true, it probably is.
* You have not won big bucks from an unknown benefactor or a grant from the government <<<<<<<<<<
* The tooth fairy really does not exist
* Everything you read on the internet is not necessarily true.
* It is illegal to pay money for a loan, BEFORE getting the loan!
* "Free Trips" are loaded with mandatory & costly extras, and you usually must give them your card number after listening to a loooong spiel at a hotel.
* Microsoft did NOT call you to fix your computer.
* The moon is not made of green cheese.
* The IRS will snailmail you, rather than phone you, if there is a problem.
* Jackalope milk is not an aphrodisiac.
* If you "green dot" or Western Union money to a scammer, the money is gone.
Scam call about a "citizen grant" with the department of health and human services. Caller claimed that I had been chosen to receive a $9000 grant for paying my bills on time and not having a criminal record. He then asked me to give my bank information so they could deposit the money directly into the account. Once I realized it was a scam (about 10 seconds into the call), I asked for a phone number to call him back. The number he gave me was 239-677-4947. To anyone out there reading this, a 2 second Google search will confirm that this type of phone call is a scam. Never give out your bank information to someone who calls you. Always ask for a call-back number, then call your real bank using the information provided on your account statements.
I just got the same call, but mine was only for $6500. I guess I was not as good a citizen. I have no intention of calling the number he gave me to complete the deal, but it's good to know what the scam was.
thanks
I just got a phone call from the same guy saying I won 6700 and I need to pay a 200 refundable fee and pay at western union and I will receive my money in 20-30 minutes
* There ain't no such thing as a free lunch (TANSTAFL)
* If it looks too good to be true, it probably is.
* You have not won big bucks from an unknown benefactor or a grant from the government <<<<<<<<<<
* The tooth fairy really does not exist
* Everything you read on the internet is not necessarily true.
* It is illegal to pay money for a loan, BEFORE getting the loan!
* "Free Trips" are loaded with mandatory & costly extras, and you usually must give them your card number after listening to a loooong spiel at a hotel.
* Microsoft did NOT call you to fix your computer.
* The moon is not made of green cheese.
* The IRS will snailmail you, rather than phone you, if there is a problem.
* Jackalope milk is not an aphrodisiac.
* If you "green dot" or Western Union money to a scammer, the money is gone.
To report the fraud, go here:
http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/support/general-support/grant-fraud.html
Their number is listed , along with an email address, at the top of the page.
Also here:
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0113-government-grant-scams
Its ILLEGAL to ask for money to receive it.
Prize Offers: You Don’t Have to Pay to Play!
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/telemarketing/tel17.shtm
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/scam-alerts
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0076-telemarketing-scams