Spot the warning signs.
Protect your next step.
Learn how fake grant offers work, check suspicious claims, and find the official places to report them.
Asked to pay before receiving a grant?
Stop. Do not send money or share account details with someone who contacted you first.
Check the offerCommon grant scams
Six patterns worth recognizing.
Scammers use different approaches to make fake grant offers seem real. Here are six common patterns, and a safer next step for each.
- 01An unexpected grant callSomeone calls, texts or emails to say you won a government grant you never applied for. Real grants require an application.Safer next stepEnd the conversation and contact the agency yourself, using its official website.
- 02A fee to release your moneyYou are told to pay a processing or release fee by gift card, wire transfer, crypto or a payment app before the grant arrives.Safer next stepDo not pay. Real government grants do not charge you a fee to receive them.
- 03Paid access to grant listingsA site or "funding coach" sells access to supposedly exclusive grant databases.Safer next stepFederal grant opportunities are listed free at Grants.gov.
- 04Viral single-parent grant promisesAn ad promises a fixed cash grant, like "$9,000 for single mothers", then sells a course. No federal grant like that exists.Safer next stepLook up the named program on its official website before you pay for anything.
- 05A friend's account sends a grant pitchA message from someone you know says they got free money and you should contact an "agent". The account is often hacked.Safer next stepCheck with your friend another way, like a phone call.
- 06Paid student loan relief applicationsA company charges to apply for loan forgiveness or repayment plans that are free through the U.S. Department of Education.Safer next stepStart at StudentAid.gov or with your official loan servicer.
Verify before you act
Pause. Check. Decide.
A few simple steps to check a grant offer before you share information or take action.
- 1Leave the messageDo not use its links, attachments or callback numbers.
- 2Find the official agencyType a known government address yourself. Federal agency sites end in .gov.
- 3Check the actual programLook for published eligibility rules and a real application process.
- 4Contact the agency directlyUse the phone number or contact form on its official website.
- 5Save the evidence and report itKeep messages, numbers and payment records, then report the scam.
Already sent money? Act quickly.
Contact the bank, card issuer, gift card company or payment app you used. Report the fraud and ask whether the payment can be stopped or reversed.
Keep receipts and messages. Getting money back is not guaranteed.
Where to report
Choose the right reporting resource.
These organizations handle different types of scams and fraud.
- FTC ReportFraudConsumer scams, impostors and deceptive business practices.ReportFraud.ftc.gov
- FBI IC3Internet-enabled fraud and financial crime.IC3.gov
- SSA Inspector GeneralSocial Security impersonation scams.oig.ssa.gov
- AARP Fraud Watch NetworkFree helpline for people facing a scam, of any age.AARP.org
These links open official external sites. GrantsHubUSA does not collect fraud reports.
Keep researching with confidence.
Our guides link to official sources, so you can check every program yourself.