I have been ripoff by a company by the name of Venture Capital Financial in New Jersey. I went on-line to a website (FederalFundingPrograms.org) to apply for a grant to start a small business. After paying a $20 fee to submit my application, I received a message on my answering machine about a week later.
When I returned the call, I spoke with a lady by the name of Kelly Boyle. After she asked me some questions like do I have any federal charges or have I ever applied for or ever received a federal grant, she placed me on hold for about 10 minutes. She returned to tell me that I have been approved for a grant for $100K.
She told me that I had to pay $439.00, and I had to send it within 3 days or my grant money would go to someone else. She also e-mail me a consent form that I had to fill out showing I would be my money back if I was not approved for a small business grant. She told me that the company does not accept credit cards, and I had to send my payment certified or registered mail through a money order along with my consent form.
She told me once I mailed my payment and my consent form I need to call their toll free number (866) 875-5366 or her direct number to her desk (908) 280-0415 to give her the tracking number so that they can complete the postal follow up on my behalf.
She told me I had to type up a 6 month itemized list that I needed to start my small business. She said I had 5 weeks to get this list to her. After I finished my list I gave her a call and she told me to send my itemized list certified or registered mail to the same address that I sent my payment. I also had to call her to give her the tracking number of my itemized list once I had sent it. She told me the next step would be the federal government contacting me so I could receive my check to start my business.
I received my form for the post office that my list was received by the company on February 22. So, I waited 5 weeks to check on the status of the grant because Kelly Boyle told me it would take 12 to 14 weeks for the process to take place. When I called the company on March 24 Kelly Boyle direct number to her desk was disconnected. So, I called the toll free number and it was disconnected also.
I have called the BBB, and they told me that Venture Capital Financial is an assisting company, and has not had a compliant in 36 months. The woman that I talked to at the BBB gave me a number to Consumer Affairs. Consumer Affairs gave me a number to New Jersey Consumer Affair in Newark. They took some information from me and told me that they would send me a complaint form. I really appreciate NJ Consumer Affairs help, but I did a lot of running back and forth trying to get this grant, and I really thought I was going to receive this money how Kelly Boyle puts things to me. So I do not just want to file a compliant on this company I want my small business grant. If not, I really need my $439.00 back.
Georgia
Hephzibah, Georgia
U.S.A.
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