877-439-8120
 | Morgan 2011-06-06 21:04:25 Unknown |
They are a fake company! Do not send them money, I have filed a complaint with the Police department. If you know anything contact the Harrisburg police department.
| parkie 2011-06-06 21:04:25 Unknown |
this is MF Alliance and they handle government grants and one of their #s is disconnected and there is no answer at 877-439-8120. I am very nerves that i may have gotten scammed out of $458.00 that i sent to them in a MO on 9/25/07 and still havent received anything in return.
| lamet 2009-10-05 19:00:22 Unknown |
It could have been avoided with a quick internet search on GRANT SCAMS
Government Grant Scams
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.
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
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.
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
| Carol e Babcock 2009-10-05 16:46:17 Unknown |
i also sent in my 458.00 and received nothing but a busy signal and then a disconnect and called the bank and my money order was cashedso now I am out the money and my home and utilities. this was a big scam and any one that wants my help please postj
| cheryl myers 2009-03-24 20:23:17 Unknown |
please contact all people that need be.i was contacted by a us postal Inspector.Louis DiRienzo po box 60035 Harrisburg PA 17106-0035
| cheryl myers 2009-03-24 20:19:10 Unknown |
lets all work together we all need help im still looking for my paper work
| cheryl myers 3/24/09 2009-03-24 20:15:49 Unknown |
oct 2007 yes me too like many of you i sent 458 dollars, was approved for
a 75,000.00 grant had to send it prioty mail the check had to be a money
order.as time went by i tried calling many times like everyone else. i
cant find my paper work right now but i was contacted by Louis DiRienzo.
us postal Inspector po.box 60035.Harrisburg PA.17106-0035. At this time
i am looking for all of the paper work not having very much luck it was
so longago.how i found mfalliance was a goverment grant writer beware they
are probily using another name now.and for you that are or do work for these people what goes around comes back twice as hard and you may spend some time. good luck
a 75,000.00 grant had to send it prioty mail the check had to be a money
order.as time went by i tried calling many times like everyone else. i
cant find my paper work right now but i was contacted by Louis DiRienzo.
us postal Inspector po.box 60035.Harrisburg PA.17106-0035. At this time
i am looking for all of the paper work not having very much luck it was
so longago.how i found mfalliance was a goverment grant writer beware they
are probily using another name now.and for you that are or do work for these people what goes around comes back twice as hard and you may spend some time. good luck
| trina 2008-09-12 12:16:02 Unknown |
i applied with mf alliance about 1 year ago i sent them off 458.00 and the told me they will send me a survey in the mail by Nov 6 2007 that day came and went never did i get the survey so i called and called no one answered there phone line was busy busy busy . I don't understand how companies could take money from people knowning that times are hard and we need everything we have. i really don't want to think this is a cam but it looks to me it is.
| Celeste 2008-04-12 00:54:48 Unknown |
You got scammed like the rest of us. I am working with attorney general to get help.
| Elaine Jones 2008-03-14 15:39:47 Unknown |
It is M. F. Alliance who has a busy signal I am trying to contact. The busy signal has been on for the last hour. I would like to know the operators number to see if it is still a working number.
| kei 2007-12-14 19:46:47 Unknown |
have you recieved your money?
| kimberly lemane 2007-12-11 23:02:56 Unknown |
i was going to receive my letter by nov 14th well im still waiting
| DAVE 2007-11-29 08:53:35 Unknown |
IF ANYONE HAS ANY INFO IN REFENCE PLEASE LET ME KNOW I SENT OFF MONEY AS WELL IF I NEED TO CONTACT THE POLICE LET ME KNOW AND IT WILL BE DONE TOMORROW
| Doesn't look good 2007-11-27 14:24:50 Unknown |
IT'S A SCAM.
From www.complaintsboard.com:
"MF Alliance
Posted: 2007-11-16 by Lorraine Slee [send email]
grant fraud
"MF Alliance
6301 Grayson Rd
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
United States
Phone: 1-877-439-8120
"They contacted me informing me I was eligable for a home grant. They asked me for 458.00 dollars for processing fees. They recieved the money on Oct 3, 2007. I was to recieve more paper work by Nov 13, 2007. When that day came and went i csalled the toll free number to in which I got a full mailbox message. So after a few days I drove to Harrisburg to find that the address was a rented mailbox out of the UPS store in the Swatara Square shopping strip mall. I contacted the local police dept. and was informed by them that I was the second person to file a complaint on the company. Is there any way you can help me? I have all the paper work from the company, post office, and bank, and website."
From www.complaintsboard.com:
"MF Alliance
Posted: 2007-11-16 by Lorraine Slee [send email]
grant fraud
"MF Alliance
6301 Grayson Rd
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
United States
Phone: 1-877-439-8120
"They contacted me informing me I was eligable for a home grant. They asked me for 458.00 dollars for processing fees. They recieved the money on Oct 3, 2007. I was to recieve more paper work by Nov 13, 2007. When that day came and went i csalled the toll free number to in which I got a full mailbox message. So after a few days I drove to Harrisburg to find that the address was a rented mailbox out of the UPS store in the Swatara Square shopping strip mall. I contacted the local police dept. and was informed by them that I was the second person to file a complaint on the company. Is there any way you can help me? I have all the paper work from the company, post office, and bank, and website."
| megan ohio 2007-11-27 12:28:05 Unknown |
I sent money 10/25/07 I am supposed to get paper work by 11/29/07 nothing yet!
| nikki 2007-11-26 20:41:01 Unknown |
I checked them out through the better business bearu and they said that they have been in business for three years and have had no compliants i also sent in some money and i havent heard anything back from them
| Kyle 2007-11-17 18:51:42 Unknown |
I signed up had three different people call me all of which I missed cause I was working, now I can't get ahold of anyone. THe lines are disconnected and the toll free numbers voicemail is full. I don't understand why they would want money from you if they are giving you money it sounds like BULLSH*T to me
| Morgan 2007-11-17 15:03:32 Unknown |
I agree with you. I suggest contacting the Harrisburg Police Department and have them look into this scam and get our money back!!! The dispatch number over there is 717-558-6900. If you call them let me know, I would call but I have to leave for the weekend. I'll call on Monday if you can't call today.
| spoonrich86@yahoo.com 2007-11-17 06:01:55 Unknown |
Man they got me too they said i was approved for 38,000 dollar grant for student loans and they told me my questionaire would be there in a couple of days and their phones are disconnected this is a SCAM since when have you known a legit business's phone to be disconnected. I now want to know what I have to do to take LEGALL ACTION IMMEDIATELY!!!!!!!!!!
| Morgan 2007-11-16 21:36:32 Unknown |
If you live close to Harrisburg it would sure be great to pay them a visit and see if they are just a bunch of crooks!
| Morgan 2007-11-16 16:08:26 Unknown |
I got a call also and was "approved" for 135k. Sent in the money and was suppose to get the questionnaire by 11/15/07. Nothing came yet and I can't contact them. I tried through email also. I'm a little nervouse now.
| Tpets 2007-11-16 02:06:23 Unknown |
i recieved a phone call from these people who say they got my number from the sba or grants.gov... they say i was approved for $39k and needed a cashiers check or money order for 458.00 and a contract that said nothing specific by the next day at 5pm... i since been routinely following up with them still not sure if this is a scam or not,., but now the 717 number they originally called me from is disconnected and the 877 numbers voice mail is full... im suppose to recieve a questionnaire by 11/22... has anyone else gotten this questionnaire? im thinking about driving out to harrisburg pa
| red 2007-11-12 18:24:04 Unknown |
HAve you got your paperwork yet?
| red 2007-11-12 18:23:11 Unknown |
My friend and i just sent off almost a 1,000.00 dollars for this grant. We recieved our paper work through our e-mail so now we hope to have our money by dec 12-17 also. So if anyone knows that this is a scam please leave a note on here thank you.
| dave 2007-11-11 18:51:24 Unknown |
I did apply thru them and have sent them off a 458.00 retainer fee i should have my money sometime between dec 12-17 i hope this isn't a scam
| blonde 2007-11-08 13:15:04 Unknown |
about grant
| blonde 2007-11-08 13:11:36 Unknown |
about a grany
| LS 2007-11-07 00:39:49 Unknown |
This is MF Alliance; they are a grant web site. Here is their email if your curious. http://mfalliance.com/ I just applied with them a few days ago. I can't remember though how I was sent to them. Either from the SBA or grant.gov or one of those..I think...I've been trying to track it down to see if they are legitimate. Hope this helps.
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