Beware of Grant ScamsThe economy has many people scrambling, trying to come up money to pay their bills. People are losing their jobs, losing their homes and losing their savings. What’s the solution? Free grant money, or so say many internet scam marketers. The basic scam is that you will get a call from someone representing themselves as a grant writer and telling you that you have been selected, that you are guaranteed to receive $100,000 in grant money from the federal government, just send me $900 (cost may vary) to fill out the application. Which department of the government is giving you the money – the Department of the Interior or the Department of Defense? Does the government have so much money laying around in their hallways that have $100,000 for every person who sends in an application. It is a generally accepted concept that “guaranteeing” grant money is an unethical practice. In addition, you have to register with the government in order to receive grant money for them. Do you have a DUNS number? Do you even know what a DUNS number is? If not, you are probably not going to receive federal government grant money. Here a few more things to remember when shopping for grants. Grant money is not designed to pay your bills, buy your house, pay your student loans, pay your credit card or bail you out of debt, regardless what some grant marketers seem to lead you to believe. Just because you do not have something does not mean that you should receive grant money to get it. Check out the grant offer before sending in any money through an independent agency such as the Better Business Bureau. Presented by the American Grant Writer’s Association. www.agwa.us
|