I recv'd a call the other day, a woman w/an indian accent saying my name was chosen in a database for a gov't grant. Lots of money, 30k/60k, for education, buying a home, starting a business. I was slightly interested and the more she talked, from what I could understand, it sounded better. They provided me with their phone #, a website, and even a physical address. I thought "they wouldn't tell me that if it were a scam".
I was wrong. I GAVE them the routing # from my check, yes, like a moron. Then came the automated agreement. I agreed until it said I would recv extra bonuses free trials, etc. I told the lady I didn't want all that. (she was taking me through the automated part, pressing buttons for me, I was answering?'s).
The woman became a little agitated, trying to talk me into all the extras and I said I don't want any of it! I don't want the grant! She put me through to her supervisor. I thought she'd speak better english, nope. I proceeded to tell her I didn't want the program. She wants to know why.
I told her I could change my mind and that's what I was doing. They had set up the bill for 9/2/05. See I couldn't just hang up at this point because I had already given them my routing #. Once we were talking over each other, I was yelling obscenities, she transferred me to HER supervisor, hoping he spoke better english, possibly an american, NOPE. He proceeded to calm me down and told me I could check the information online and call back 3 days prior to 9/2 to cancel if I wanted so I agreed and the call was over.
Today, I began checking out the website, and as always I typed in US Grants Interactive "scams" into the search window and this website came up. I saw all the entries saying it was a scam and called to 800 # for the grant company and told them I didn't want the program and to cancel my order. The 1st rep said their computers were down and I'd have to call tomorrow.
I asked her for a supervisor and she told me they were all in a meeting, "how convenient!", I told her. I demanded to speak to someone over her and she put me on hold and I was mysteriously disconnected. I called back and told the next rep I wanted to speak to a supervisor immediately and she put me on hold.
A woman picked up and I told her I wanted to cancel everything, I told her about this website (in general, I did not give the web address) and told her how I was aware it was a scam, she told me I had 3 days after the call was made to cancel my order, not 3 days prior to the charge to my checking account.
I was furious! I called my bank and had my checking account frozen immediately and told my bank rep what happened and they are investigating it, my account will be closed, and a new one reopened. I was sweating bullets! Please don't give your information out over the phone, ever, unless you know who you are dealing with. And if you do, contact your bank immediately! Usually cancelling a check costs money, but, scammers can still use your routing #, with zero's as the check #. It will go through that way. It is cheaper, (usually free) and just plain safer to close your account and reopen a new one.
Just remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!!
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