OKLAHOMA CITY - Scammers are trying to entice people with a bogus offer of free cash to help pay for school, pay bills and make repairs.
It’s a good thing Susan Benson knew better.
“He went on and on about how the grant was mine [and] I could claim it,” she said.
This scam is nothing new.
Someone claiming to be from a government agency targets you through email, on social media or over the phone.
Our camera was rolling as Susan got the scammer on the phone.
The man instructed her to go to a MoneyGram transfer center.
He told us he was with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which does award grants, but the rest of his story made no sense.
The In Your Corner bottom line:
- There is an application process.
- These grants are typically reserved for civic and non-profit organizations and not for people and their personal use.
“I'm just afraid there are other people out there that will fall for it,” Susan said.
You can't qualify for a grant if never submit an application, and Susan never filled one out.
Applying for a grant is free and, if you do receive one, you'll never have to pay taxes or put down a deposit to collect.
