Grant Connect
Grant Connect's unexpected affiliate fees and memberships

These interesting folks seem to have a herd of happy customers who have "created" websites listing them as the answer to consumer's prayers on government grant sources. At the same time, Grant Connect has a lot of friends with whom they want to share the wealth. As reported here: (http://usacomplaints.com/reports/0/417/RipOff0417115.htm) by Joe Bachman of Rulo, Nebraska they have interesting bedfellows.

Looking for the smoking gun here? At http://sunbeltblog. Blogspot.com/01/another-gross-credit-scam.html we find screen shots of a plot to grant up to $6,900 in unsecured "credit" with a product called First Plus Platinum Credit. When you begin to suspect something is fishy with the deal and try to navigate away from their website, up pops Jenifer, the fake chat agent, offering to sweeten the deal with a lower fees and the higher limit of $7,500.

Jennifer really get around... Try to bail out of the offer from Grant Connect, and walla... Here comes Jenifer again with a new pitch for Grant Connect. These folks in Nevada are quite creative to say the least.

As a nonprofit whose charitable funds must be put to appropriate use, we try to do our homework. A number of "reviews" are sprinkled around the Internet.

At http://www.top3grantreviews.com / the website reports: "The third product we recommend as really helpful for you to get a government grant is Grant Connect." I went to their contact us page and posted the following, only to get a message back, "your comment pending moderation" or some such language. Perhaps that explains why there are NO COMMENTS posted on their website? Not to be deterred, I sent the following email which sums up my complaint against Grant Connection.

You may want to rethink or investigate your listing and recommendation for Grant Connect. As a nonprofit public benefit California corporation, we're constantly searching for legitimate tools to assist our all volunteer staff in funding our charitable work. (www.patriotwatch.com)

With respect to Grant Connect, your statement "100% Free - Shipping cost is: $1.99" is inaccurate at best. The initial order was for $2.78. This charge appeared on my bank statement:

02/17/09 check crd purchase 02/15 onlgra v 888-5736171 nv 446024xxxxxx8434 047940014968433? Mcc=7997 121042882da01 $2.78

Within days, Grant Connect appears to have enrolled me in other programs I was unaware of, to the tune of $78 and change.

The only working number on my bank statement was for this transaction:

03/02/09 chkcard888-642-0276 di888-6426 nvus $12.95

This "Pre-Paid" monthly legal subscription named Grant Connect as the source for their subscription. They agreed to cancel future billing but refused to refund the $12.95.

I called the customer service number for Grant Connect. After an hour on hold waiting to be transferred to a "Customer Service Representative" a gentleman named Patrick answered my call. While claiming no responsibility for their affiliate's charges, he was willing to cancel my membership, future billings and refer the matter to "Corporate" for follow-up. We'll wait to see if they refund the $39.95 charge to my back account.

We have not, nor will we use Grant Connect's application in view of the exploitation of my personal credit card for services I neither want or ordered. Such practices are sleazy business practices at best, might be ruled fraud by appropriate local, state or federal agencies. Granted, they likely have a team of lawyers that crafted their "we can do anything we want while being held harmless" Terms of Service Agreement and Privacy Statements.

Such tactics may suggest the service must rely on one-time charges, affiliate rebates or other ploys, rather that the intrinsic value of the product they offer itself. Suffice it to say, what a sad way to treat a public benefit nonprofit. Crimewatch will investigate this matter thoroughly and act accordingly as sponsors of www.patriotwatch.com.

Company: Grant Connect
Country: USA
State: Nevada
City: Reno
Address: PO Box 7180
Phone: 8885736171

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