May 27, 2008 Grant Instructor complaint by Yvzzz |
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Page 1 of 2 This website is referred by several legitimate-looking sites for finding government grants - don't try, they scam you out of $49.50 if you don't cancel quickly.
https://ssl.secureweburls.com/~grantrg/index.php?refer=rn40&pubid=&subid=
I got charged like many others $49.50/month of their service, without knowing I had signed up for it.
NOW I understand how they do it:
I called to complain and cancel, and got the person at the head of the company after talking to a call person for a while and getting useless standard replies. Of course, they won't give anyone their money back because they say you agreed to enter their service agreement...
What they do is to have TWO application form windows. The first one looks innocuous:
https://secure.filesanywhere.com/MediaLink.asp?v=%8Ake%86%8E%9C%A3%A9%A7
The second one is where they catch you, it loads when you hit "Submit Order" on the first page. Suddenly the same-looking page with name and address info comes up BLANK again, so the applicant, irritated, retypes the information without really noticing the bottom of the page (circled here in RED):
https://secure.filesanywhere.com/MediaLink.asp?v=%8Akd%8F%9Db%ABu%A7h
Now they have their excuse to charge you indefinitely until you cancel, which of course most of us will only see once it shows up on the credit card statement, usually well past the 7 days!
No matter what, I am definitely fighting this one! This is clever consumer deception that they should not get away with.
BY THE WAY: I got their address from a fake "scammer alert" website. They have setup the same information on several legitimate looking websites, for example:
http://www.grants-revealed.org/
http://gov-grants.us/
http://www.scammer-alert.com/govt-grants.html
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1. Written by Aja, on 13-08-2008 11:29
I received a call from a Maria yesterday. Throughout the conversation, there were multiple red flags. For instance, ridiculous background noises--like people laughing and playing around...definitely didn't sound like a professional atmosphere to me.
Secondly, Maria could not give me a direct number to call her back--she said she would have to call me again (still waiting). Then, the kicker, when she wanted to send me the "free" CD product, I asked her if she could e-mail me some information before hand--of course not. Then I asked if she could bill me by mail--of course not!!! They only take CCs to deduct the shipping&handling. Oh, but she said not to worry because Visa and MasterCard recognizes Grant Instructor as a reputable company, so they are safe. Yeah...right!
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2. Written by RaeAnne, on 12-08-2008 11:01
To those asking for advice on getting your money back...Use google to find tips on getting your money back. Put in "rip off report disputing bank charges" in the search box. Rip off report website has some info on how to do that.
As for Jens comment about all of us not reading the fine print....They are supposed to be providing a service. They don't provide a service they just take your money. They don't respond to your e-mails and the links to download forms don't work. Therefore it is a scam. You think its legit go ahead and try to use their so called "service". BTW go to grants.gov if you want to look for grants. No fee whatsoever because its a goverment site. As for getting a grant for bills, pay off mortgage whatever...good luck with that because thats not what the grants are there for and you probably won't qualify. They are for states, cities, non-profits and other organizations for research or funding. I have yet to see one that an indvidual can get unless you plan on doing research for their company/organization.
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3. Written by Kathy, on 11-08-2008 09:33
They keep calling me...for five days straight, about every half hour...after I have talked to three people and asked them to stop calling me. Any suggestions on getting them to stop calling?
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4. Written by Grant Instructor, on 24-07-2008 14:36
Their sure is, all you have to do is go ahead and email me at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
I will be happy to review your account and work everything out for you. Anyone who has questions or concerns please email me ill be happy to help.
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5. Written by Jayne, on 23-07-2008 08:10
Well, I just got scammed too. I am always careful and they got me. I am going to fight it too and report it to the FBI internet fraud. I suggest we all do the same.
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6. Written by Ann, on 16-07-2008 21:18
 they called me more than 9 times in one day 7-16-09. I finally answered and they asked for me by name but of course I said I wasn't here but I could take a message. They tried to sell me - someone, as far as they know, hasn't requested let alone qualified for this service. Just a heads up - their phone # came up as 201-621-5694. I don't know why my "no call" list I sign up for every year in Missouri didn't work on them. I'll be reporting them to the Attorney General.
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7. Written by Carl, on 07-07-2008 18:51
I just got a call from some non english speaking person about this grant I never tried for. How they got my info. who knows but I told this guy that I will research his company and he can call me tomorrow. I am glad I did. They wanted to give me a free cd and package but they couldnt tell me what grant and how much I applied for. Totally a scam. I am going to try and take this comapny down using my govt. resources. Dont do it especially if they want you to pay for shipping and handeling totally bull.
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8. Written by Dave, on 30-06-2008 12:23
They ripped me off also.
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9. Written by Jen, on 25-06-2008 17:35
So this Yvzzz guy thinks he has it all figured out, come on you have no idea. I went to this site and it was totally legit, all you need to do is read! Maybe it is in smaller print but come on do you sign a contract without knowing what the terms are?
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10. Written by janet, on 19-06-2008 16:06
I have been hit by this scam as well. When I called to cancel the customer service was very cooperative. I assume this is because so many of us have been duped by this scam. However, she wouldn't give me a credit for it. Anybody have any suggestions on getting the 49.50 back?
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