Article found at:

http://spokane.bbb.org/article/bbb-weekly-tip ... ry-8-2010-15153


GOVGRANTS.com Making Random and RUDE Calls to People Pitching Fake Grants/Loans and Posing as Phony Debt Collectors, too

Caller ID Showing 408-587-2163

This BBB received a report from a Brazil, IN woman stating she got a call from the above number stating they wanted her routing # so they could give her a $5,000 grant. She said NO. They stated they were from WA State, but didn’t specify. The IN woman stated that when she said NO they were instantly rude and started cursing her out.

At www.bbb.org, this 408# takes you to a BBB report about fake collection calls misusing the name US Cash Advance, a legitimate and good-standing company. According to reports received by BBB, this number is connected to a variety of scams. In this particular case, the scammers using this # were attempting an advance loan scam.

In other cases regarding this number, the scammers accuse the victim of defaulting on a payday loan and claim they are being sued. The phony debt collector threatens that, if the victim doesn’t pay as much as $1,000 immediately via wire or by providing bank account or credit card numbers, he or she will be arrested. The scammers often have the victim’s Social Security, old bank account numbers or driver’s license numbers as well as home addresses, employer information and even the names of personal friends and professional references.

BBB is unable to locate the persons responsible for these calls.

BBB offers the following advice to consumers if they receive a suspicious telephone call about advance fee loan/grant offers:


• Do not provide or confirm any bank account, credit card or other personal information over the phone until you have confirmed the legitimacy of the call.
• File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission online if the caller is abusive, uses threats or otherwise violates federal telemarketing laws.
• File a complaint with BBB if you believe a loan agent is trying to scam you.