I recieved a phone call this morning, 1-12-06, from a company called Advantage America. I was told that I had been approved for a Government Grant of $12,500. I was to verify some information and then would be transfered for a conference call to receive my Grant ID number at the end.
When I was asked to provide my bank account information, that's when I became suspicious. I informed him at that time that I was not comfortable providing that information and felt that it was not a legitimate company and that is was a scam. He kept insisting that they needed this information to verify that I was the correct person to recieve the grant. He even provided information to my questions:
Chris Baker
Emp ID# CB7051
1900 Howell Grants Rd.
Ste. 4-7
Winter Park, FL 32792
866-503-7345
While I had him on the phone I did a search of the company name on the web and found this site. That's when I told him that I was not interested and hung up.
During the course of the conversation I did provide him with the name of my bank and he did verify the routing number and kept insisting that he would need my account number. That's when I told him no and hung up. I called my bank to asked if someone has the name and routing number, could they access my account. I was told no, that they would need the account number. This made feel better.
Lesson learned: If they call on the phone asking you to provide your bank account number, this tells me it is a scam and a ripoff.
Never ever give out any personal information on the phone if you are being asked for it.
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