I was called today about free grant money from federal treasury dept. I knew what the scam was because I searched the number so when Steven Wills called to verify promo code I let him give his speech about the $1400 & going to western union & by law he has to stay on phone with me till transaction is complete & then asked for $180 for transaction fee. I also told him that I spoke to the treasury dept & was told to record him asking me for money & that at this moment I had recorded our conversation & he hung up on me. Surprise surprise & when I tried to call back they were not accepting calls at that time.
I received a phone call apparently from the loyalty financial government grant. They said I was elligable to receive 8,400 in grant money from the government. From here he asked me for my bank account and gave me a confirmation number, and said to call the treasury department so that they would transfer the money into the account. I than contacted 206-452-3456 and I was told they pulled up my file and that I had to pay $250.00 as a transfer fee in order to receive the $8,400. I told them I did not have anything at the moment, they said they would save my file and for me to contact this number when I have the money. Is this a scam?
Yes, its a 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
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