I first received a call from 210-215-6445. Then was directed to call the 206-395-3503 with the claim number. I too was picked to receive a government grant. The persons I was to contact was Philip John. He said he was from Washington DC. I looked up the number and came back as a landline from Seattle, Washington 98101. Far cry from Washington DC. Just out of curiosity did this person direct you to get a Green Dot Money Pak? When I asked for a check to be sent to my home instead of giving them my bank account info. I was told that they would send me a certified check. I would receive it in the mail in 2 days. Not sure if those can be fake. Some sites say checks may look real but are not. So I am not sure if this is a scam or not. My guess is that if they ask for money so I can receive money something is not right. Oh that is right they are not asking for money they just want me to put $250.00 on a Green Dot Money Pak card. NOT SO SURE THIS IS REAL!
Got a call from an Unavailable number.. Caller said there an estimate of 1500 candiate were selected and I am one of them.. claming that I am going to recieve $6,700 if I call Robinson Cooper and give him my grant number than he goes to say I need purchase a greendotcard at a walgreen or other carrier for $4.95 and then deposit $200 for id certification... than I will recieve $6,700 + the reimbursement of $200.. the thing that suck is that at this point I already gave my banking information out..smfh.. needed the momey... hopefully that don't come back to haunt me.. but after reading all of these post.. just confirm the obvious... SCAM..
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