Complaint Review: Advantage America Grants Department

Saturday 11/12/2005
Like everyone else filing a report, I too was contaced by a women who barely spoke english claiming to be calling from a government agency called Advantage America in their grants dept. She said I was pre approved to recieve up to $12,500 in free grant money.

Of course I asked a million questions and even said this sounds like a scam. She assured me that it was Legal and for real. She gave the 866 phone number to call if I had any more questions.

I am always skeptical but today when she called it was a busy Saturday morning and I was in the middle of dressing my 3 yr old, and she caught me of gaurd. She told me there was a processing fee whcih was a one time fee for the year of $49.95 which she needed my checking account and bank info for payment.

Another red flag went up and I began to question her even more. She once again said that this was a government agency and that they got my information from my 2003 tax return. She even went as far to say if I did not want the money she would donate it to the charity of my choice in my name.

So foolish me gave in and gave her my info. I was transfered to someone else who spoke better english and went thru a series of recorded questions and other information about a health plan and a long distance phone service.

I again began to ask questions. I did not agree to this but she told me I could cancel as soon as my packet came in the mail and it would not effect my grant. I said I did not want to continue with this but she said they already started to process my info and they already had my account number so I need to call the 866 number to canel and she hung up on me!

I did not have a good feeling about this so I instanly ran to the computer and did a google search and found this site. I called the 866 number but did not get anyone so I ran to the bank and closed out the account and transfered my money into a new checking account.

I am not sure what is going to happen next, but I am going to contact the company on Monday and demand that they loose my information and assure them that they will NOT GET MY MONEY!

Kelly
Bensalem, Pennsylvania
U.S.A.