5 Easy Ways to Avoid Government Grant Scams

Do you want free money?  Of course, we all do.  For some individuals, that money is available in the form of government grants.  Although government grants are typically reserved for non-profit organization and business expansions, there are grants available to everyday Americans, just like yourself.  Unfortunately, they are limited, hard to find, and even more difficult to win.  But, as previously stated, we all want free money.  After all, who wouldn’t.  That leaves many of us susceptible to government grant scams.  So, how do you avoid becoming a victim?

1 – Do Not Pay Money

Many websites and infomercial products advertise they can help you get hundreds of thousands of dollars in government grant money.  These websites and infomercials do sound convincing.  Once again, the phrase “free money” attracts us.  As previously stated, there are government grants available for Americans.  These grants may allow you to expand a small business, go to college, get job training, rebuild a home hit by a natural disaster, and so forth.  Since they do exist, you should be able to find them on your own.  It will take a lot of hard work and research, but it is free of charge.

A good sign that you are faced with a government grant scam is when asked for payment.  There are real government websites online that let you search for grants, get additional information on these grants, and apply for them free of charge.  Don’t waste your money.  Often times, these paid websites and infomercial products are filled with inaccurate and outdated information.

2 – Turn to Reputable Grant Websites Online

As previously stated, paid government grant websites are a sign of a scam.  Yes, some legitimate websites do charge a small fee, but why take a chance?  Remember, a lot of information on government grants is available free of charge online or by speaking to local government officials.  Your best bet it is to go right to government websites.  On those websites, perform a search using the phrase “grants.”  If information is available, it will appear in your search.  Grants.gov is a legitimate website for government grants, especially those aimed at non-profit organizations.

3 – Check Website and Product Reviews

As mentioned above, some legitimate grant websites charge a small fee.  It is your decision as to whether or not you want to pay this fee.  However, before doing so, read reviews.  You can easily check website and product reviews online.  You can do so by visiting the online website for the Better Business Bureau, the popular consumer-reporting website Rip Off Report, or you can perform a standard internet search.  Search with the product or website name and add the phrase “scam.”

Product and website reviews are easy to find online and they give you a lot of insight.  Do not waste your money if multiple consumers say the website or government grant product in question is a scam.

4 – Ask Questions

One of the reasons why you are advised against buying a government grant product from an infomercial is because of lack of assistance.  In these cases, you buy the product and are on your own.  You rarely get any support.  On the other hand, legitimate websites should provide you with this support.  Before paying any signup or membership fees, ask questions.  If someone is unavailable to answer your questions or cannot provide you with the right answers, you may be on your way to being a government grant scam victim.  Stop now.  

5 – Use Your Best Judgment

Just like receiving a student loan, mortgage, and automobile loan, you need to prove yourself.  You need to fill out an application, sell yourself, and do research.  Always use your best judgment.  It is possible to find government grants for individuals like yourself, but they are hard to find and even more difficult to get.  Do not count on this money and do not fall victim to get rich scams.  Legitimate government grants are designed to help Americans in moderation.  Grants that are available are rarely large in size.

PPPPP

Word Count 671