You get a call, or letter from the federal administration saying you are the victor of a gratis U.S. grant. All you have to do is reimburse a processing fee to obtain the money. How do you recognize if the grant offer is legal or a scam? In this condition, it’s astute to remember two adages:
1) If it appears too high-quality to be accurate, it perhaps is, and
2) there is no such thing as a free dine. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, FBI and other centralized Agencies, fake U.S. funding cons are on the increase across the country.
Here are 5 ways to spot a grant scam:
Ø Did you apply for funding? Legal grants do not prove up at your door as a revelation, you have to pertain to them. So, if you are offered a contribution you recognize nothing about, most probably it is a rip-off.
Ø Is a charge involved? Grant applications are free of charge as they are resourced at the central or county level with community funds. If you’re asked to present a fee to pertain for the grant or study more about it, there’s a good possibility it is con. Asking for a submission fee is the number-one way scammers craft their money.
Ø Is the funding for business or individual use? U.S. grants to a commerce or nonprofit are for the sole profit of the company. If the funding is for school, living or other individual expenses, that’s an instant red flag that it is not legit.
Ø What organization does the issuer present? Though it might sound inspiring, if they are from the centralized Grants government, there is no such workplace, so the offer is a rip-off.
Ø Were you inquired for either your own or your company’s ID or your financial credit info? When asked for this information, inquire the caller for the suggestion in writing. Chances are you will never perceive sound from them again.
Who offers lawful Grants?
There are a few central USA grant applications bbb for for-profit companies and many provincial economic development fiscal support programs. At the centralized level, the SBA has the adversity revival grants. Also, some agents, like National Institutes of Health and the protection Department, partake in the Small Business modernization Research plan which helps companies’ researching tech-innovations for probable commercialization in areas that are of notice to these agencies.
Questions to inquire about a legal Grant
When you are the providential beneficiary of a legal U.S. grant, ensure that you comprehend its purpose and necessities upfront.
What can the money be applied for? Most grants are for precise purposes that meet the task of the grantor. Ensure that the grantor’s task and your job are in sync. What part of the grant can be applied for “overhead”? Grants are provided to commence projects and actions. It takes managerial support to achieve this, so make sure that you comprehend what amount of grant can be applied for that
