I did talk this financial consulting firm,  She told me their were a broker fee of 199.00. I told her I would call back. She told me that they would send me a package with all the instructions on what to do. know my question is this do I pay the 199.00 before I recieve this detailed package in the mail or do I wait until I receive the package, fill it out, and mail it back in with the 199.00 included.

I took the service, will let you know the next steps I'am waiting for my detail analysis to be send.
for now, they send me a fax, explaining me their consulting services.

CONSULTING FIRM

financial advisors

This is a consulting firm!

March 4, 2010
Benefit Spotlight: NEW Benefits on GovBenefits.gov!

 
New benefits are here! Below is a highlight of 4 benefits recently added to GovBenefits.gov. Read on and find out which benefits are right for you.
Are you struggling to afford your health care coverage?

The Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC) is administered by the Internal Revenue Service. HCTC is equal to 80 percent of the amount paid by an eligible individual for qualified health coverage as specified in Section 35 of the Internal Revenue Code.

EBSA COBRA Premium Assistance provides eligible applicants with a 65 percent reduction of their COBRA premiums for up to nine months. If eligible, individuals will pay only 35 percent of their COBRA premiums to the plan and the remaining 65 percent will be paid by the employer through a payroll tax credit.

Are you a small or disadvantaged business owner?

The Disadvantage Business Enterprise Bonding Assistance Program - American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (DBE BAP ARRA) allows small and disadvantaged businesses to apply for reimbursement for bonding premiums and fees incurred when competing for, or performing, transportation infrastructure projects funded by ARRA.

Are you the spouse or child of a deceased or disabled Public Safety Officer?

The Public Safety Officers? Benefits Program: Educational Assistance Benefits (PSOEA) provides financial assistance for higher education to spouses and eligible children of local police, fire and emergency public safety officers who have been killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty.

To determine your eligibility for any of the benefits featured above, select the benefit you are interested in and click the ?Determine Eligibility? button on the benefit description page. You can also complete the confidential questionnaire for a comprehensive list of all of the benefits you may be eligible to receive.

Stay tuned for more new benefits in the near future!

March 4, 2010
Benefit Spotlight: NEW Benefits

 
New benefits are here! Below is a highlight of 4 benefits recently added to GovBenefits.gov. Read on and find out which benefits are right for you.
Are you struggling to afford your health care coverage?

The Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC) is administered by the Internal Revenue Service. HCTC is equal to 80 percent of the amount paid by an eligible individual for qualified health coverage as specified in Section 35 of the Internal Revenue Code.

EBSA COBRA Premium Assistance provides eligible applicants with a 65 percent reduction of their COBRA premiums for up to nine months. If eligible, individuals will pay only 35 percent of their COBRA premiums to the plan and the remaining 65 percent will be paid by the employer through a payroll tax credit.

Are you a small or disadvantaged business owner?

The Disadvantage Business Enterprise Bonding Assistance Program - American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (DBE BAP ARRA) allows small and disadvantaged businesses to apply for reimbursement for bonding premiums and fees incurred when competing for, or performing, transportation infrastructure projects funded by ARRA.

Are you the spouse or child of a deceased or disabled Public Safety Officer?

The Public Safety Officers? Benefits Program: Educational Assistance Benefits (PSOEA) provides financial assistance for higher education to spouses and eligible children of local police, fire and emergency public safety officers who have been killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty.

To determine your eligibility for any of the benefits featured above, select the benefit you are interested in and click the ?Determine Eligibility? button on the benefit description page. You can also complete the confidential questionnaire for a comprehensive list of all of the benefits you may be eligible to receive.

Stay tuned for more new benefits in the near future!

March 4, 2010
Benefit Spotlight:

 
New benefits are here! Below is a highlight of 4 benefits recently added to GovBenefits.gov. Read on and find out which benefits are right for you.
Are you struggling to afford your health care coverage?

The Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC) is administered by the Internal Revenue Service. HCTC is equal to 80 percent of the amount paid by an eligible individual for qualified health coverage as specified in Section 35 of the Internal Revenue Code.

EBSA COBRA Premium Assistance provides eligible applicants with a 65 percent reduction of their COBRA premiums for up to nine months. If eligible, individuals will pay only 35 percent of their COBRA premiums to the plan and the remaining 65 percent will be paid by the employer through a payroll tax credit.

Are you a small or disadvantaged business owner?

The Disadvantage Business Enterprise Bonding Assistance Program - American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (DBE BAP ARRA) allows small and disadvantaged businesses to apply for reimbursement for bonding premiums and fees incurred when competing for, or performing, transportation infrastructure projects funded by ARRA.

Are you the spouse or child of a deceased or disabled Public Safety Officer?

The Public Safety Officers? Benefits Program: Educational Assistance Benefits (PSOEA) provides financial assistance for higher education to spouses and eligible children of local police, fire and emergency public safety officers who have been killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty.

To determine your eligibility for any of the benefits featured above, select the benefit you are interested in and click the ?Determine Eligibility? button on the benefit description page. You can also complete the confidential questionnaire for a comprehensive list of all of the benefits you may be eligible to receive.

Stay tuned for more new benefits in the near future!

YOUR SERVICES ARE NOT NEEDED - IT ALREADY FREE INFO AVAILABLE IN YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY AND www.grants.gov - THE ONLY LEGITIMATE GRANT WEBSITE!


Government Grant Scams
Although government grant scams have been around almost as long as the government itself, the majority of the sites being advertised today didn't exist before the November 2008 election.

The "free money" scam has been around almost as long as the human species.

It has more variations than a bulldog has wrinkles but you can count on one thing: the government (any government) does not simply give money away to individuals. Anyone who tells you differently has larceny in his heart.

If you give him your bank account number, he will soon have your funds in his pocket.

It does no good to list all of the names used by these bunko artists because a.) they change all the time and b.) every single free-money government-grant offer is a scam. Period.

In one e-book, The Truth Behind Government Grants Exposed, the author (whoever he or it might be) admits that grants are not easy to get. The e-book goes so far as to say, "Now, I know what you must be thinking, but don't be discouraged because understanding that you do not qualify for the majority of Federal and Private Grants is the first step to actually getting a grant."

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/03/grant_scam_ads.html
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/scam_alerts/grant.html
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/03/ftc_stimulus_scam.html

FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION WEBSITE      
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt134.shtm

?Free Government Grants?: Don?t Take Them For Grant-ed
?Because you pay your income taxes on time, you have been awarded a free $12,500 government grant! To get your grant, simply give us your checking account information, and we will direct-deposit the grant into your bank account!?
Sometimes, it?s an ad that claims you will qualify to receive a ?free grant? to pay for education costs, home repairs, home business expenses, or unpaid bills. Other times, it?s a phone call supposedly from a ?government? agency or some other organization with an official sounding name. In either case, the claim is the same: your application for a grant is guaranteed to be accepted, and you?ll never have to pay the money back.
But the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation?s consumer protection agency, says that ?money for nothing? grant offers usually are scams, whether you see them in your local paper or a national magazine, or hear about them on the phone.
Some scam artists advertise ?free grants? in the classifieds, inviting readers to call a toll-free number for more information. Others are more bold: they call you out of the blue. They lie about where they?re calling from, or they claim legitimacy using an official-sounding name like the ?Federal Grants Administration.? They may ask you some basic questions to determine if you ?qualify? to receive a grant. FTC attorneys say calls and come-ons for free money invariably are rip offs.
Grant scammers generally follow a script: they congratulate you on your eligibility, then ask for your checking account information so they can ?deposit your grant directly into your account,? or cover a one-time ?processing fee.? The caller may even reassure you that you can get a refund if you?re not satisfied. In fact, you?ll never see the grant they promise; they will disappear with your money.
The FTC says following a few basic rules can keep consumers from losing money to these ?government grant? scams:
    Don?t give out your bank account information to anyone you don?t know. Scammers pressure people to divulge their bank account information so that they can steal the money in the account. Always keep your bank account information confidential. Don?t share it unless you are familiar with the company and know why the information is necessary.
    Don?t pay any money for a ?free? government grant. If you have to pay money to claim a ?free? government grant, it isn?t really free. A real government agency won?t ask you to pay a processing fee for a grant that you have already been awarded ? or to pay for a list of grant-making institutions. The names of agencies and foundations that award grants are available for free at any public library or on the Internet. The only official access point for all federal grant-making agencies is www.grants.gov.
    Look-alikes aren?t the real thing. Just because the caller says he?s from the ?Federal Grants Administration? doesn?t mean that he is. There is no such government agency. Take a moment to check the blue pages in your telephone directory to bear out your hunch ? or not.
    Phone numbers can deceive. Some con artists use Internet technology to disguise their area code in caller ID systems. Although it may look like they?re calling from Washington, DC, they could be calling from anywhere in the world.
    Take control of the calls you receive. If you want to reduce the number of telemarketing calls you receive, place your telephone number on the National Do Not Call Registry. To register online, visit www.donotcall.gov. To register by phone, call 1-888-382-1222 (TTY: 1-866-290-4236) from the phone number you wish to register.
    File a complaint with the FTC. If you think you may have been a victim of a government grant scam, file a complaint with the FTC online at www.ftc.gov, or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The FTC enters Internet, telemarketing, identity theft, and other fraud-related complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure online database available to hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.
The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues, visit ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The FTC enters consumer complaints into the Consumer Sentinel Network, a secure online database and investigative tool used by hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.
September 2006


Feds: Scammers Falsely "Guaranteed" Government Grants
Court halts operators' deceptive pitches for grant writing book and services


By James Limbach
ConsumerAffairs.com
July 24, 2009

A federal judge has stopped an operation from falsely claiming that it could help consumers secure a "$25,000 Grant" -- guaranteed -- from the U.S. government.
The case is part of a Federal Trade Commission crackdown on scammers trying to capitalize on the economic downturn by targeting people facing financial hardship.
In the complaint the FTC, jointly with the attorneys general of Kansas, Minnesota, and North Carolina, charged that Grant Writers Institute, LLC and its related entities (together, GWI) falsely told consumers that they were eligible for grants as part of the recently announced economic stimulus package .
According to the complaint, the false and deceptive claims by GWI violate federal law, state consumer protection laws, and the FTC's Telemarketing Sales Rule. The complaint seeks a court order permanently stopping the defendants' illegal conduct and forcing them to return money to consumers injured by the scheme.
"Stamping out grant fraud and other types of schemes that take advantage of consumers in dire financial shape continues to be one of the Federal Trade Commission's highest priorities," said David Vladeck, Director of the Bureau of Consumer Protection. "There is no such thing as a guaranteed grant. But to consumers in financial trouble, the chance for extra income -- guaranteed or otherwise -- can unfortunately be a huge draw."
The FTC says since at least 2007, GWI has mass mailed postcards to consumers across the country falsely claiming that the consumers "are Guaranteed a $25,000 Grant from the U.S. Government." Consumers who call the number are pitched a $59 book titled "Professional Grant Writer 'The Definitive Guide to Grant Writing Success.'"
The company's telemarketers falsely claim that the book will explain how to get government grants  -- including the "guaranteed" $25,000 grant. GWI and its North Carolina-based telemarketers, also named as defendants in the complaint, then call consumers who have bought the book, trying to get them to pay hundreds of dollars or more for grant research, writing, or coaching services, falsely claiming a 70 percent success rate in securing grant funding.
In reality, few, if any consumers ever receive any grant money.
The Commission contends that in addition to falsely claiming consumers were "guaranteed" to receive grants, GWI used the current government stimulus package to make its pitch. For example, when consumers called the number on the mass-mailed postcard, they heard a recording that said, "If you've been reading the papers you know that recently our government released $700 billion into the private sector. What you probably don't know is that there is another $300 billion that must be given away this year to people just like you."
The recording continues, "And if you're one of the lucky few who knows how to find and apply for these grants, you will receive a check for $25,000 or more, and we guarantee it . . . If you don't get a check for $25,000 or more, you pay nothing."
The following were named as defendants:
? Affiliate Strategies, Inc.;
? Landmark Publishing Group, LLC (d/b/a G.F. Institute and Grant Funding Institute);
? Grant Writers Institute, LLC;
? Answer Customers, LLC;
? Apex Holdings International, LLC;
? Brett Blackman, individually and as an officer, manager, and/or member of Affiliate Strategies, Inc., Landmark Publishing Group, LLC, Grant Writers Institute, LLC, Answer Customers, LLC, and Apex Holdings International, LLC;
? Jordan Sevy, individually and as a manager of Landmark Publishing Group, LLC;
? James Rulison, individually and as president of Answer Customers, LLC, all located in Kansas.
The complaint also names the following North Carolina entities as defendants:
? Real Estate Buyers Financial Network LLC (d/b/a Grant Writers Research Network);
? Martin Nossov, individually and as a manager and member of Real Estate Buyers Financial Network LLC; and
? Alicia Nossov, individually and as a manager and member of Real Estate Buyers Financial Network LLC.



Read more: http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/07 ... l#ixzz0NENGCoRV

Government Grant Scams
Although government grant scams have been around almost as long as the government itself, the majority of the sites being advertised today didn't exist before the November 2008 election.

The "free money" scam has been around almost as long as the human species.

It has more variations than a bulldog has wrinkles but you can count on one thing: the government (any government) does not simply give money away to individuals. Anyone who tells you differently has larceny in his heart.

If you give him your bank account number, he will soon have your funds in his pocket.

It does no good to list all of the names used by these bunko artists because a.) they change all the time and b.) every single free-money government-grant offer is a scam. Period.

In one e-book, The Truth Behind Government Grants Exposed, the author (whoever he or it might be) admits that grants are not easy to get. The e-book goes so far as to say, "Now, I know what you must be thinking, but don't be discouraged because understanding that you do not qualify for the majority of Federal and Private Grants is the first step to actually getting a grant."

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/03/grant_scam_ads.html
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/scam_alerts/grant.html
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/03/ftc_stimulus_scam.html

FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION WEBSITE      
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt134.shtm

?Free Government Grants?: Don?t Take Them For Grant-ed
?Because you pay your income taxes on time, you have been awarded a free $12,500 government grant! To get your grant, simply give us your checking account information, and we will direct-deposit the grant into your bank account!?
Sometimes, it?s an ad that claims you will qualify to receive a ?free grant? to pay for education costs, home repairs, home business expenses, or unpaid bills. Other times, it?s a phone call supposedly from a ?government? agency or some other organization with an official sounding name. In either case, the claim is the same: your application for a grant is guaranteed to be accepted, and you?ll never have to pay the money back.
But the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation?s consumer protection agency, says that ?money for nothing? grant offers usually are scams, whether you see them in your local paper or a national magazine, or hear about them on the phone.
Some scam artists advertise ?free grants? in the classifieds, inviting readers to call a toll-free number for more information. Others are more bold: they call you out of the blue. They lie about where they?re calling from, or they claim legitimacy using an official-sounding name like the ?Federal Grants Administration.? They may ask you some basic questions to determine if you ?qualify? to receive a grant. FTC attorneys say calls and come-ons for free money invariably are rip offs.
Grant scammers generally follow a script: they congratulate you on your eligibility, then ask for your checking account information so they can ?deposit your grant directly into your account,? or cover a one-time ?processing fee.? The caller may even reassure you that you can get a refund if you?re not satisfied. In fact, you?ll never see the grant they promise; they will disappear with your money.
The FTC says following a few basic rules can keep consumers from losing money to these ?government grant? scams:
    Don?t give out your bank account information to anyone you don?t know. Scammers pressure people to divulge their bank account information so that they can steal the money in the account. Always keep your bank account information confidential. Don?t share it unless you are familiar with the company and know why the information is necessary.
    Don?t pay any money for a ?free? government grant. If you have to pay money to claim a ?free? government grant, it isn?t really free. A real government agency won?t ask you to pay a processing fee for a grant that you have already been awarded ? or to pay for a list of grant-making institutions. The names of agencies and foundations that award grants are available for free at any public library or on the Internet. The only official access point for all federal grant-making agencies is www.grants.gov.
    Look-alikes aren?t the real thing. Just because the caller says he?s from the ?Federal Grants Administration? doesn?t mean that he is. There is no such government agency. Take a moment to check the blue pages in your telephone directory to bear out your hunch ? or not.
    Phone numbers can deceive. Some con artists use Internet technology to disguise their area code in caller ID systems. Although it may look like they?re calling from Washington, DC, they could be calling from anywhere in the world.
    Take control of the calls you receive. If you want to reduce the number of telemarketing calls you receive, place your telephone number on the National Do Not Call Registry. To register online, visit www.donotcall.gov. To register by phone, call 1-888-382-1222 (TTY: 1-866-290-4236) from the phone number you wish to register.
    File a complaint with the FTC. If you think you may have been a victim of a government grant scam, file a complaint with the FTC online at www.ftc.gov, or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The FTC enters Internet, telemarketing, identity theft, and other fraud-related complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure online database available to hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.
The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues, visit ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The FTC enters consumer complaints into the Consumer Sentinel Network, a secure online database and investigative tool used by hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.
September 2006


Feds: Scammers Falsely "Guaranteed" Government Grants
Court halts operators' deceptive pitches for grant writing book and services


By James Limbach
ConsumerAffairs.com
July 24, 2009

A federal judge has stopped an operation from falsely claiming that it could help consumers secure a "$25,000 Grant" -- guaranteed -- from the U.S. government.
The case is part of a Federal Trade Commission crackdown on scammers trying to capitalize on the economic downturn by targeting people facing financial hardship.
In the complaint the FTC, jointly with the attorneys general of Kansas, Minnesota, and North Carolina, charged that Grant Writers Institute, LLC and its related entities (together, GWI) falsely told consumers that they were eligible for grants as part of the recently announced economic stimulus package .
According to the complaint, the false and deceptive claims by GWI violate federal law, state consumer protection laws, and the FTC's Telemarketing Sales Rule. The complaint seeks a court order permanently stopping the defendants' illegal conduct and forcing them to return money to consumers injured by the scheme.
"Stamping out grant fraud and other types of schemes that take advantage of consumers in dire financial shape continues to be one of the Federal Trade Commission's highest priorities," said David Vladeck, Director of the Bureau of Consumer Protection. "There is no such thing as a guaranteed grant. But to consumers in financial trouble, the chance for extra income -- guaranteed or otherwise -- can unfortunately be a huge draw."
The FTC says since at least 2007, GWI has mass mailed postcards to consumers across the country falsely claiming that the consumers "are Guaranteed a $25,000 Grant from the U.S. Government." Consumers who call the number are pitched a $59 book titled "Professional Grant Writer 'The Definitive Guide to Grant Writing Success.'"
The company's telemarketers falsely claim that the book will explain how to get government grants  -- including the "guaranteed" $25,000 grant. GWI and its North Carolina-based telemarketers, also named as defendants in the complaint, then call consumers who have bought the book, trying to get them to pay hundreds of dollars or more for grant research, writing, or coaching services, falsely claiming a 70 percent success rate in securing grant funding.
In reality, few, if any consumers ever receive any grant money.
The Commission contends that in addition to falsely claiming consumers were "guaranteed" to receive grants, GWI used the current government stimulus package to make its pitch. For example, when consumers called the number on the mass-mailed postcard, they heard a recording that said, "If you've been reading the papers you know that recently our government released $700 billion into the private sector. What you probably don't know is that there is another $300 billion that must be given away this year to people just like you."
The recording continues, "And if you're one of the lucky few who knows how to find and apply for these grants, you will receive a check for $25,000 or more, and we guarantee it . . . If you don't get a check for $25,000 or more, you pay nothing."
The following were named as defendants:
? Affiliate Strategies, Inc.;
? Landmark Publishing Group, LLC (d/b/a G.F. Institute and Grant Funding Institute);
? Grant Writers Institute, LLC;
? Answer Customers, LLC;
? Apex Holdings International, LLC;
? Brett Blackman, individually and as an officer, manager, and/or member of Affiliate Strategies, Inc., Landmark Publishing Group, LLC, Grant Writers Institute, LLC, Answer Customers, LLC, and Apex Holdings International, LLC;
? Jordan Sevy, individually and as a manager of Landmark Publishing Group, LLC;
? James Rulison, individually and as president of Answer Customers, LLC, all located in Kansas.
The complaint also names the following North Carolina entities as defendants:
? Real Estate Buyers Financial Network LLC (d/b/a Grant Writers Research Network);
? Martin Nossov, individually and as a manager and member of Real Estate Buyers Financial Network LLC; and
? Alicia Nossov, individually and as a manager and member of Real Estate Buyers Financial Network LLC.



Read more: http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/07 ... l#ixzz0NENGCoRV

CLASSIC SCAM RESPONSE  


Some scam artists advertise ?free grants? in the classifieds, inviting readers to call a toll-free number for more information. Others are more bold: they call you out of the blue. They lie about where they?re calling from, or they claim legitimacy using an official-sounding name like the ?Federal Grants Administration.?

"They may ask you some basic questions to determine if you ?qualify? to receive a grant"  SOUNDS LIKE THE SCAMMERS EXPANATION!

FTC attorneys say calls and come-ons for free money invariably are rip offs


Government Grant Scams
Although government grant scams have been around almost as long as the government itself, the majority of the sites being advertised today didn't exist before the November 2008 election.

The "free money" scam has been around almost as long as the human species.

It has more variations than a bulldog has wrinkles but you can count on one thing: the government (any government) does not simply give money away to individuals. Anyone who tells you differently has larceny in his heart.

If you give him your bank account number, he will soon have your funds in his pocket.

It does no good to list all of the names used by these bunko artists because a.) they change all the time and b.) every single free-money government-grant offer is a scam. Period.

In one e-book, The Truth Behind Government Grants Exposed, the author (whoever he or it might be) admits that grants are not easy to get. The e-book goes so far as to say, "Now, I know what you must be thinking, but don't be discouraged because understanding that you do not qualify for the majority of Federal and Private Grants is the first step to actually getting a grant."

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/03/grant_scam_ads.html
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/scam_alerts/grant.html
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/03/ftc_stimulus_scam.html

FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION WEBSITE      
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt134.shtm

?Free Government Grants?: Don?t Take Them For Grant-ed
?Because you pay your income taxes on time, you have been awarded a free $12,500 government grant! To get your grant, simply give us your checking account information, and we will direct-deposit the grant into your bank account!?
Sometimes, it?s an ad that claims you will qualify to receive a ?free grant? to pay for education costs, home repairs, home business expenses, or unpaid bills. Other times, it?s a phone call supposedly from a ?government? agency or some other organization with an official sounding name. In either case, the claim is the same: your application for a grant is guaranteed to be accepted, and you?ll never have to pay the money back.
But the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation?s consumer protection agency, says that ?money for nothing? grant offers usually are scams, whether you see them in your local paper or a national magazine, or hear about them on the phone.
Some scam artists advertise ?free grants? in the classifieds, inviting readers to call a toll-free number for more information. Others are more bold: they call you out of the blue. They lie about where they?re calling from, or they claim legitimacy using an official-sounding name like the ?Federal Grants Administration.? They may ask you some basic questions to determine if you ?qualify? to receive a grant. FTC attorneys say calls and come-ons for free money invariably are rip offs.
Grant scammers generally follow a script: they congratulate you on your eligibility, then ask for your checking account information so they can ?deposit your grant directly into your account,? or cover a one-time ?processing fee.? The caller may even reassure you that you can get a refund if you?re not satisfied. In fact, you?ll never see the grant they promise; they will disappear with your money.
The FTC says following a few basic rules can keep consumers from losing money to these ?government grant? scams:
    Don?t give out your bank account information to anyone you don?t know. Scammers pressure people to divulge their bank account information so that they can steal the money in the account. Always keep your bank account information confidential. Don?t share it unless you are familiar with the company and know why the information is necessary.
    Don?t pay any money for a ?free? government grant. If you have to pay money to claim a ?free? government grant, it isn?t really free. A real government agency won?t ask you to pay a processing fee for a grant that you have already been awarded ? or to pay for a list of grant-making institutions. The names of agencies and foundations that award grants are available for free at any public library or on the Internet. The only official access point for all federal grant-making agencies is www.grants.gov.
    Look-alikes aren?t the real thing. Just because the caller says he?s from the ?Federal Grants Administration? doesn?t mean that he is. There is no such government agency. Take a moment to check the blue pages in your telephone directory to bear out your hunch ? or not.
    Phone numbers can deceive. Some con artists use Internet technology to disguise their area code in caller ID systems. Although it may look like they?re calling from Washington, DC, they could be calling from anywhere in the world.
    Take control of the calls you receive. If you want to reduce the number of telemarketing calls you receive, place your telephone number on the National Do Not Call Registry. To register online, visit www.donotcall.gov. To register by phone, call 1-888-382-1222 (TTY: 1-866-290-4236) from the phone number you wish to register.
    File a complaint with the FTC. If you think you may have been a victim of a government grant scam, file a complaint with the FTC online at www.ftc.gov, or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The FTC enters Internet, telemarketing, identity theft, and other fraud-related complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure online database available to hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.
The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues, visit ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The FTC enters consumer complaints into the Consumer Sentinel Network, a secure online database and investigative tool used by hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.
September 2006


Feds: Scammers Falsely "Guaranteed" Government Grants
Court halts operators' deceptive pitches for grant writing book and services


By James Limbach
ConsumerAffairs.com
July 24, 2009

A federal judge has stopped an operation from falsely claiming that it could help consumers secure a "$25,000 Grant" -- guaranteed -- from the U.S. government.
The case is part of a Federal Trade Commission crackdown on scammers trying to capitalize on the economic downturn by targeting people facing financial hardship.
In the complaint the FTC, jointly with the attorneys general of Kansas, Minnesota, and North Carolina, charged that Grant Writers Institute, LLC and its related entities (together, GWI) falsely told consumers that they were eligible for grants as part of the recently announced economic stimulus package .
According to the complaint, the false and deceptive claims by GWI violate federal law, state consumer protection laws, and the FTC's Telemarketing Sales Rule. The complaint seeks a court order permanently stopping the defendants' illegal conduct and forcing them to return money to consumers injured by the scheme.
"Stamping out grant fraud and other types of schemes that take advantage of consumers in dire financial shape continues to be one of the Federal Trade Commission's highest priorities," said David Vladeck, Director of the Bureau of Consumer Protection. "There is no such thing as a guaranteed grant. But to consumers in financial trouble, the chance for extra income -- guaranteed or otherwise -- can unfortunately be a huge draw."
The FTC says since at least 2007, GWI has mass mailed postcards to consumers across the country falsely claiming that the consumers "are Guaranteed a $25,000 Grant from the U.S. Government." Consumers who call the number are pitched a $59 book titled "Professional Grant Writer 'The Definitive Guide to Grant Writing Success.'"
The company's telemarketers falsely claim that the book will explain how to get government grants  -- including the "guaranteed" $25,000 grant. GWI and its North Carolina-based telemarketers, also named as defendants in the complaint, then call consumers who have bought the book, trying to get them to pay hundreds of dollars or more for grant research, writing, or coaching services, falsely claiming a 70 percent success rate in securing grant funding.
In reality, few, if any consumers ever receive any grant money.
The Commission contends that in addition to falsely claiming consumers were "guaranteed" to receive grants, GWI used the current government stimulus package to make its pitch. For example, when consumers called the number on the mass-mailed postcard, they heard a recording that said, "If you've been reading the papers you know that recently our government released $700 billion into the private sector. What you probably don't know is that there is another $300 billion that must be given away this year to people just like you."
The recording continues, "And if you're one of the lucky few who knows how to find and apply for these grants, you will receive a check for $25,000 or more, and we guarantee it . . . If you don't get a check for $25,000 or more, you pay nothing."
The following were named as defendants:
? Affiliate Strategies, Inc.;
? Landmark Publishing Group, LLC (d/b/a G.F. Institute and Grant Funding Institute);
? Grant Writers Institute, LLC;
? Answer Customers, LLC;
? Apex Holdings International, LLC;
? Brett Blackman, individually and as an officer, manager, and/or member of Affiliate Strategies, Inc., Landmark Publishing Group, LLC, Grant Writers Institute, LLC, Answer Customers, LLC, and Apex Holdings International, LLC;
? Jordan Sevy, individually and as a manager of Landmark Publishing Group, LLC;
? James Rulison, individually and as president of Answer Customers, LLC, all located in Kansas.
The complaint also names the following North Carolina entities as defendants:
? Real Estate Buyers Financial Network LLC (d/b/a Grant Writers Research Network);
? Martin Nossov, individually and as a manager and member of Real Estate Buyers Financial Network LLC; and
? Alicia Nossov, individually and as a manager and member of Real Estate Buyers Financial Network LLC.



Read more: http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/07 ... l#ixzz0NENGCoRV

all those Guaranteed Grant websites ARE SCAMS -  

NEVER EVER PAY FOR A GRANT. THEY ARE FREE!  

The scam is to sign you up for a worthless membershp program that costs you MONEY - but it will not get a grant if you do not qualify for one


Government Grant Scams
Although government grant scams have been around almost as long as the government itself, the majority of the sites being advertised today didn't exist before the November 2008 election.

The "free money" scam has been around almost as long as the human species.

It has more variations than a bulldog has wrinkles but you can count on one thing: the government (any government) does not simply give money away to individuals. Anyone who tells you differently has larceny in his heart.

If you give him your bank account number, he will soon have your funds in his pocket.

It does no good to list all of the names used by these bunko artists because a.) they change all the time and b.) every single free-money government-grant offer is a scam. Period.

In one e-book, The Truth Behind Government Grants Exposed, the author (whoever he or it might be) admits that grants are not easy to get. The e-book goes so far as to say, "Now, I know what you must be thinking, but don't be discouraged because understanding that you do not qualify for the majority of Federal and Private Grants is the first step to actually getting a grant."

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/03/grant_scam_ads.html
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/scam_alerts/grant.html
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/03/ftc_stimulus_scam.html

FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION WEBSITE      
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt134.shtm

?Free Government Grants?: Don?t Take Them For Grant-ed
?Because you pay your income taxes on time, you have been awarded a free $12,500 government grant! To get your grant, simply give us your checking account information, and we will direct-deposit the grant into your bank account!?
Sometimes, it?s an ad that claims you will qualify to receive a ?free grant? to pay for education costs, home repairs, home business expenses, or unpaid bills. Other times, it?s a phone call supposedly from a ?government? agency or some other organization with an official sounding name. In either case, the claim is the same: your application for a grant is guaranteed to be accepted, and you?ll never have to pay the money back.
But the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation?s consumer protection agency, says that ?money for nothing? grant offers usually are scams, whether you see them in your local paper or a national magazine, or hear about them on the phone.
Some scam artists advertise ?free grants? in the classifieds, inviting readers to call a toll-free number for more information. Others are more bold: they call you out of the blue. They lie about where they?re calling from, or they claim legitimacy using an official-sounding name like the ?Federal Grants Administration.? They may ask you some basic questions to determine if you ?qualify? to receive a grant. FTC attorneys say calls and come-ons for free money invariably are rip offs.
Grant scammers generally follow a script: they congratulate you on your eligibility, then ask for your checking account information so they can ?deposit your grant directly into your account,? or cover a one-time ?processing fee.? The caller may even reassure you that you can get a refund if you?re not satisfied. In fact, you?ll never see the grant they promise; they will disappear with your money.
The FTC says following a few basic rules can keep consumers from losing money to these ?government grant? scams:
    Don?t give out your bank account information to anyone you don?t know. Scammers pressure people to divulge their bank account information so that they can steal the money in the account. Always keep your bank account information confidential. Don?t share it unless you are familiar with the company and know why the information is necessary.
    Don?t pay any money for a ?free? government grant. If you have to pay money to claim a ?free? government grant, it isn?t really free. A real government agency won?t ask you to pay a processing fee for a grant that you have already been awarded ? or to pay for a list of grant-making institutions. The names of agencies and foundations that award grants are available for free at any public library or on the Internet. The only official access point for all federal grant-making agencies is www.grants.gov.
    Look-alikes aren?t the real thing. Just because the caller says he?s from the ?Federal Grants Administration? doesn?t mean that he is. There is no such government agency. Take a moment to check the blue pages in your telephone directory to bear out your hunch ? or not.
    Phone numbers can deceive. Some con artists use Internet technology to disguise their area code in caller ID systems. Although it may look like they?re calling from Washington, DC, they could be calling from anywhere in the world.
    Take control of the calls you receive. If you want to reduce the number of telemarketing calls you receive, place your telephone number on the National Do Not Call Registry. To register online, visit www.donotcall.gov. To register by phone, call 1-888-382-1222 (TTY: 1-866-290-4236) from the phone number you wish to register.
    File a complaint with the FTC. If you think you may have been a victim of a government grant scam, file a complaint with the FTC online at www.ftc.gov, or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The FTC enters Internet, telemarketing, identity theft, and other fraud-related complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure online database available to hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.
The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues, visit ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The FTC enters consumer complaints into the Consumer Sentinel Network, a secure online database and investigative tool used by hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.
September 2006


Feds: Scammers Falsely "Guaranteed" Government Grants
Court halts operators' deceptive pitches for grant writing book and services


By James Limbach
ConsumerAffairs.com
July 24, 2009

A federal judge has stopped an operation from falsely claiming that it could help consumers secure a "$25,000 Grant" -- guaranteed -- from the U.S. government.
The case is part of a Federal Trade Commission crackdown on scammers trying to capitalize on the economic downturn by targeting people facing financial hardship.
In the complaint the FTC, jointly with the attorneys general of Kansas, Minnesota, and North Carolina, charged that Grant Writers Institute, LLC and its related entities (together, GWI) falsely told consumers that they were eligible for grants as part of the recently announced economic stimulus package .
According to the complaint, the false and deceptive claims by GWI violate federal law, state consumer protection laws, and the FTC's Telemarketing Sales Rule. The complaint seeks a court order permanently stopping the defendants' illegal conduct and forcing them to return money to consumers injured by the scheme.
"Stamping out grant fraud and other types of schemes that take advantage of consumers in dire financial shape continues to be one of the Federal Trade Commission's highest priorities," said David Vladeck, Director of the Bureau of Consumer Protection. "There is no such thing as a guaranteed grant. But to consumers in financial trouble, the chance for extra income -- guaranteed or otherwise -- can unfortunately be a huge draw."
The FTC says since at least 2007, GWI has mass mailed postcards to consumers across the country falsely claiming that the consumers "are Guaranteed a $25,000 Grant from the U.S. Government." Consumers who call the number are pitched a $59 book titled "Professional Grant Writer 'The Definitive Guide to Grant Writing Success.'"
The company's telemarketers falsely claim that the book will explain how to get government grants  -- including the "guaranteed" $25,000 grant. GWI and its North Carolina-based telemarketers, also named as defendants in the complaint, then call consumers who have bought the book, trying to get them to pay hundreds of dollars or more for grant research, writing, or coaching services, falsely claiming a 70 percent success rate in securing grant funding.
In reality, few, if any consumers ever receive any grant money.
The Commission contends that in addition to falsely claiming consumers were "guaranteed" to receive grants, GWI used the current government stimulus package to make its pitch. For example, when consumers called the number on the mass-mailed postcard, they heard a recording that said, "If you've been reading the papers you know that recently our government released $700 billion into the private sector. What you probably don't know is that there is another $300 billion that must be given away this year to people just like you."
The recording continues, "And if you're one of the lucky few who knows how to find and apply for these grants, you will receive a check for $25,000 or more, and we guarantee it . . . If you don't get a check for $25,000 or more, you pay nothing."
The following were named as defendants:
? Affiliate Strategies, Inc.;
? Landmark Publishing Group, LLC (d/b/a G.F. Institute and Grant Funding Institute);
? Grant Writers Institute, LLC;
? Answer Customers, LLC;
? Apex Holdings International, LLC;
? Brett Blackman, individually and as an officer, manager, and/or member of Affiliate Strategies, Inc., Landmark Publishing Group, LLC, Grant Writers Institute, LLC, Answer Customers, LLC, and Apex Holdings International, LLC;
? Jordan Sevy, individually and as a manager of Landmark Publishing Group, LLC;
? James Rulison, individually and as president of Answer Customers, LLC, all located in Kansas.
The complaint also names the following North Carolina entities as defendants:
? Real Estate Buyers Financial Network LLC (d/b/a Grant Writers Research Network);
? Martin Nossov, individually and as a manager and member of Real Estate Buyers Financial Network LLC; and
? Alicia Nossov, individually and as a manager and member of Real Estate Buyers Financial Network LLC.



Read more: http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/07 ... l#ixzz0NENGCoRV

If you call the company today it tells you there company is NO longer in buisness ,but yet they are still handling cases from current customers.My husband used this service almost a year ago & followed every step possible they gave him. guess what he got dropped from college THANK YOU, because the grant we was trying to get to pay his tuition never came , they wont give us a refund or anything.So as for the post earlier from the Mr.J.Andrews & Kathrine Bennett , YOUR COMPANY IS FAKE & LIES & FRAUD!! There ya go yeah I said it so sue me , heres the thing about slander people I have the right to my opinion & I seriously hope this letter makes you not want to live with yourself. My husband works hard everyday & its sick when people like this company take from people who do work for the money. I called the FTC  & reported this company , if you read this PLEASE call 1-877-382-4357 the FTC about this company & dont let this happen to other hard working families out there.

This is a BS company, I was in a vulerable position and actually accepted thier offer to help me.  Cause I in fact WAS in the process of buying a home.  They ended up charging 199.00 to my bank account a month early, I caught it the day that they did so and I DEMANDED my money back. I did recieve my money 1 week later.  I told them I was done with them and wanted nothing else to do with them.  THEN, 6 months down the road they ended up charging my bank account 29.95 because they had done work on my account with them and that a packet was in the mail and I would recieve it in 10-14 days. Surprise surprise, nothing ever came in the mail, and they kept my 29.95...

It has come to our attention that a few people are uncertain about our service.
In order to make sure that everyone knows what the service is, I have decided to explain it and make it very clear so that there are no uncertainties.
Contact:
Client applies online looking for various kinds of funding.  ie. Housing Purchase / Upgrades, Business Start-Up or Expansion, Education or Family Funding Needs.
Client is called back and offered the service.
Service:
We send client paperwork with series of questions in order to find out which types of funding client may be eligible for.
We then guide client to front door of agencies involved so that client may submit their personal information directly to each agency who offers the specified funding.
If client does not receive funding, client must return to us proof of denial in order to get a refund if need be.
Goal:
The goal is for the client to submit information to each specified agency in order to get as much funding or benefits as possible.
Final Contact:
If you should have any questions about this simple service, you should contact me directly at 877-863-6944.  

Please note that we see no need for any confusion since we do offer a service that can be beneficial to those who follow the guidelines and instructions.  We devote our time and energy to try to help those in need.  We would like to answer any questions you may have.

Sincerely,
Katherine Bennett
Customer Relations Manager

Report:
https://www.recol.ca/intro.aspx?lang=en
http://www.phonebusters.com   RCMP  1-888-495-8501
email:  info@phonebusters.com
CRTC by calling 1-877-249-2782
CRTC website at www.crtc.gc.ca
Email:   info@crtc.gc.ca

Better Business Bureau for Canada & US  http://www.bbb.org

United States  https://www.donotcall.gov/complaint/complaintcheck.aspx
Federal Trade Commission
http://www.ftc.gov     1-877-382-4357
https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov
Federal Communications Commission
http://www.fcc.gov/contacts.html 1-888-225-5322
http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/1088D-R.pdf
e-mail:  fccinfo@fcc.gov

You should be very careful about slandering a company The one.  I am a manager here at Alliance and we take these kinds of allegations very seriously.  Now if you cancelled then your order will be cancelled.  We are not here to make problems, but to help people in their search for funding.  We are simply a consulting company who helps clients research funding solutions for their needs.  If you have a problem with the company you can give us a call at customer service and we will help you with our best intentions and efforts.  If you wish to make derogatory comments about the company when you havent' even taken our services then I wish you'd give a call before doing so as it seems you don't understand the program.  Also, just for the future, you really have to be careful about who your are spouting slander and libel about, as these are illegal offences

I really think you have made a mistake by targeting our company.  I think you have the wrong company as we do not provide grants.  We simply do research for clients who are seeking financial assistance.  If in fact you are a client I would like you to leave your name and telephone number and we will get back to you to discuss this matter, as it is not fair that you have targeted our company with this negative message. Call me at 877-993-6944

WELL I SEE YOU ALL RESPONE TO THIS BUT WHEN PEOPLE  CALL  WE GET THE RUN AROUND. OH YEAH THIS MAKES THE FOUTH NUMBER TO allince benefits 1-877-993-6944. PLEASE,PLEASE DO NOT TRUST alliance benefits THEY ARE A SCAM I TALK TO THE GOV, AND THEY STATED YOU DO NOT PAY FOR GRANTS UNDER KNOW OBLIGATION. SO I ADMIT I WAS SCAM BY alliance benefits I PAID THEM 228.95 My LOST . SO I'M DOING EVERYTHING CAN TO HELP OTHERS. SO IF YOU WANT A GRANT GO TO USA.GOV, RECOVERY.GOV, E. GOV. GRANT.GOV. THESE ARE REAL WEB SITE THAT CAN HELP YOU FOR KNOW MONEY. SO IF YOU WANT TO TALK JOHN YOU CALL ME AT 1-800- GOD SEE AN KNOWS ALL.

It has come to our attention that a few people are uncertain about our service.
In order to make sure that everyone knows what the service is, I have decided to explain it and make it very clear so that there are no uncertainties.
Contact:
Client applies online looking for various kinds of funding.  ie. Housing Purchase / Upgrades, Business Start-Up or Expansion, Education or Family Funding Needs.
Client is called back and offered the service.
Service:
We send client paperwork with series of questions in order to find out which types of funding client may be eligible for.
We then guide client to front door of agencies involved so that client may submit their personal information directly to each agency who offers the specified funding.
If client does not receive funding, client must return to us proof of denial in order to get a refund if need be.
Goal:
The goal is for the client to submit information to each specified agency in order to get as much funding or benefits as possible.
Final Contact:
If you should have any questions about this simple service, you should contact me directly at 877-863-6944.  

Please note that we see no need for any confusion since we do offer a service that can be beneficial to those who follow the guidelines and instructions.  We devote our time and energy to try to help those in need.  We would like to answer any questions you may have.

Sincerely,
Katherine Bennett
Customer Relations Manager
For/ AllianceCaller ID: 877-863-6944

THE ONE , please call me at 877-993-6944.If you followed the terms and conditions for a refund, I have no problem giving you a refund.

Call and ask to speak to John Andrews (supervisor)

PLEASE CALL THIS NUMBER TO FILE A COMPLAINT ON ALLIANCE BENEFITS 1-877-382-4357. WE ALL HAVE BEEN SCAM. AND ALSO THEY THREE DIFFERENT NUMBERS 1-877-602-2121, 1-877-863-6944,1-877-609-8833.

It has come to our attention that a few people are uncertain about our service.
In order to make sure that everyone knows what the service is, I have decided to explain it and make it very clear so that there are no uncertainties.
Contact:
Client applies online looking for various kinds of funding.  ie. Housing Purchase / Upgrades, Business Start-Up or Expansion, Education or Family Funding Needs.
Client is called back and offered the service.
Service:
We send client paperwork with series of questions in order to find out which types of funding client may be eligible for.
We then guide client to front door of agencies involved so that client may submit their personal information directly to each agency who offers the specified funding.
If client does not receive funding, client must return to us proof of denial in order to get a refund if need be.
Goal:
The goal is for the client to submit information to each specified agency in order to get as much funding or benefits as possible.
Final Contact:
If you should have any questions about this simple service, you should contact me directly at 877-863-6944.  

Please note that we see no need for any confusion since we do offer a service that can be beneficial to those who follow the guidelines and instructions.  We devote our time and energy to try to help those in need.  We would like to answer any questions you may have.

Sincerely,
Katherine Bennett
Customer Relations Manager
For/ Alliance Reply

Well I ave been waiting 5 weeks to receive this package.  Everytime I call the person I spoke to on the phone is busy on the other line.  I called last Friday and asked where the Package was and I was told it would be there some time on friday.. It is now almost thursday and nothing.  I needed finacial assistance to start a landscaping business.  The season is going to be over by the time I receive everything.  I wasnt smart and paid first.  I should have waited.  So my advice to anyone in the future wait to pay.  Another point I want to make who gets a grant with out a SSN?  SCAM

I got a phone call exactly as described above by others.  Pay 199.00 with a bank draft set up in advance.  They will send paperwork which could get me a grant anywhere from 5,000 to 40,000 dollars.  It could be for buying a house or education funds, none of which would have to be paid back.  If I do not get funds, I can submit 3 letters of rejection and get all but 29.95 returned.  A phone call recording/contract was made with Katherine Bennett going over these details.  I googled their phone number and nothing was identified.  I would like to know if anyone can report to this websight that they have received funds and what amount.  What is necessary to receive funds?  Do you have to be completely destitute? Or simply unemployed?

I am very glad you answered these posts Katherine, I am also unsure about giving 200.00 to someone I do not know, and could not find, if I am due a refund for not receiving grant money.  Do you have clients who have received grants successfully?  And how long have you been in business of doing this?  How come no company id comes up when googled this phone number?

It has come to our attention that a few people are uncertain about our service.
In order to make sure that everyone knows what the service is, I have decided to explain it and make it very clear so that there are no uncertainties.
Contact:
Client applies online looking for various kinds of funding.  ie. Housing Purchase / Upgrades, Business Start-Up or Expansion, Education or Family Funding Needs.
Client is called back and offered the service.
Service:
We send client paperwork with series of questions in order to find out which types of funding client may be eligible for.
We then guide client to front door of agencies involved so that client may submit their personal information directly to each agency who offers the specified funding.
If client does not receive funding, client must return to us proof of denial in order to get a refund if need be.
Goal:
The goal is for the client to submit information to each specified agency in order to get as much funding or benefits as possible.
Final Contact:
If you should have any questions about this simple service, you should contact me directly at 877-863-6944.  

Please note that we see no need for any confusion since we do offer a service that can be beneficial to those who follow the guidelines and instructions.  We devote our time and energy to try to help those in need.  We would like to answer any questions you may have.

Sincerely,
Katherine Bennett
Customer Relations Manager
For/ Alliance

Its consulting firm who match people with available assistance, i have been told that the money doesn't come from them, they charge a broker fee.
I am a current customer, and I?m quite happy with the service so far! I also checked and called the bbb and I have been told they have no complaints so I feel very confident about taking this service.  I will let you know what happens next?

Suspicious1...I too got a call from this "Lady".  In fact it was less than 15 minutes ago.  Blew me away, as I have never applied for money online. Or to use her term "funds".  She said that the application stated that I was a Veteran (I'm not, but hubby is) and that I qualified for the amount I had asked for.  She claimed I asked for $175,000!  I didn't mean to do so, but I shouted "WHAT?!" into the phone, I was so shocked.  I told her I was not a Veteran and that I had not applied online or anywhere else for said amount of money.  She had the audacity to ask if perhaps my husband had done it without me knowing about it.  I told her we have been married for over 3 decades and never do such things without speaking with each other first, and that such decisions are always, without fail, mutual.  Then she went on to ask me somewhere around 15 questions ranging from "do you need to buy a home to are you looking for education benefits and everything in between.  Of course my answer was "no" each time.  It seemed as if she was going to keep on going until a "yes" came up, so I simply stopped her and told her that someone had pulled a fast one, and I didn't know if it was her or what, but that we needed nothing and she should not call me back.  I never let it get as far as them asking for money because I was still trying to figure out why anyone would have done this. I then called my husband and told him what had just transpired.  He told me to investigate and that's when I found 800Notes.com and your experience.  I'm so furious right now I could spit nails!  I agree with you in your last statement about having extra money to gamble with.  For us, we do have it, so we certainly aren't going to throw it away.  After all....I have grandbabies I'd rather spend it on....


I'm suspicious as all get out anyhow when someone calls wanting something or selling something, so I don't even use the word "yes" on the phone.  If they ask for me, I'll say "speaking", or if they say "is this so-and-so", I'll say "it is"....etc.  I do, however use the word "NO" alot!  I don't know how this person/company got my name, address, phone number etc, but I am NOT a happy person at the moment!

Ok..So I got this phone call from a lady stating she was Barbara Perot from The Alliance Group. She explained that this was a "consulting firm" that had recieved my name from Grants.com. I do remember filling out info for grants, but not from said company. She went on to say that I was being called back due to fund availability, and that I would need only send $199.00 to recieve my paperwork in 10-20 days. Then she told me to fill it all out and send it to all of the companies; also sending their company proof that I did so. She stated that I am guaranteed to get at least $5000.00 in grants to never pay back or I get my money back from them guaranteed. If for some reason I was denied, I need only send them 3 denial letters and I get my $199.00 back! -easy as pie right? However, before I dished out $200 bucks on the phone, I wanted to see it for myself...either a website or an e-mail that I could refer to for my own reference of this "Money Back Guarantee". I was told that they would not send any e-mails and that they "did not need" a website, because once you pay they send you all of the paperwork and guarantees that you will need in the mail. So basically here's what they are giving me: I blindly give up $200 over the phone to someone I have never met, who says they will get me in the door with US agencies who will give me grants. I am supposed to trust them, even though they refuse to send me an e-mail with this so called guarantee, and they do not have a website. There is virtually NO information with the BBB; which could be good or bad...at least there are no complaints as of yet, but if you search this site there are other numbers that have come up with the same company offering the same type of deal and no one has recieved grants. I don't think this sounds smart, but if anyone has recieved anything, please let us know. If I had an extra $200 to gamble with I wouldn't be looking for grants.