Ohioans alerted to scam involving phony government grants; AG's office gets over 100 reports
7/26/2014COLUMBUS — Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine is warning residents to beware of scam calls offering government grants.
DeWine says his office has taken over 100 reports of suspected grant scams, and more than 20 consumers reported losing $200 to $6,000 or more to the ploy.
The attorney general’s office says scam callers will tell residents they have won a federal grant and must first sent money to cover taxes and other costs. Those who pay are sometimes contacted again by scammers who urge the consumer to send more money for additional expenses.
DeWine says consumers should be leery if they have to pay to get grants they never sought. He says scam artists have given phony justifications to people that have included being current on their taxes and having good credit.