We just got a call from this number. They called from a different number, but gave this number as their call back number. We asked them to call us back in a few minutes so we could verify if they are a real company. They then gave us an employee ID number so we could be connected to the person we spoke with after we verified their information. We called back but gave them a false employee number, and purposely lied to see who they would connect us with and sure enough they came back and said it was "Max Smith" the same person who called. We then told them we lied about the employee number to see what they would do/say, and they hung up. They also said we registered for a grant years ago but they called us on a pre-paid cell phone number that was purchased earlier this year.
Got a called from US Grant Dept with an address of US Dept of Health and Human Services in 200 Independence Avenue, Washington, DC.SCAMMM !!!! How can a DC has an area code of (323) which is in California.
They are giving you 5K to use it anyway you wanted it and requesting for you bank account number so it will be deposited to your account in 4 hours
Good Luck !!!
I would suggest play along with it so it use up their minutes but DO NOT give out your bank account number.
THIS IS A SCAM. This is a version of the advance-fee-for-something scam where something is a grant, loan, scammed-money refund, lottery winnings, interest rate reduction, tax reduction, gift card, refund, doggie, cruise, vacation, free gas, etc., and the advance-fee is for tax, shipping, registration, insurance, secure handling, processing, etc. They may send you a fake check, may want your credit/debit card or bank account number, or tell you to wire cash via Western Union, Moneygram, etc. They can put recurrent difficult-to-cancel monthly charges or a 1-time charge on your card or bank account, and sell account info to other criminals and you'll have to replace accounts altogether. Wired-cash is irretrievable - once it's picked up at the other end, it's untraceable and gone. If they want you to call them up for instructions, they may tell you not to discuss the wire with Western Union desk clerks but the real reason is WU clerks are familiar with these scams and will warn you not to wire the money. Report to US Postal Service Inspectors https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/forms/MailFraudComplaint.aspx , the Federal Communications Commission http://esupport.fcc.gov/complaints.htm , the Federal Trade Commission https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/ and your state AG, as appropriate.
We just got a call from this number. They called from a different number, but gave this number as their call back number. We asked them to call us back in a few minutes so we could verify if they are a real company. They then gave us an employee ID number so we could be connected to the person we spoke with after we verified their information. We called back but gave them a false employee number, and purposely lied to see who they would connect us with and sure enough they came back and said it was "Max Smith" the same person who called. We then told them we lied about the employee number to see what they would do/say, and they hung up. They also said we registered for a grant years ago but they called us on a pre-paid cell phone number that was purchased earlier this year.