Complaint Rating:

Company information:
Grant Masters Online
California
United States

Based in the Philippines, with an office in Nevada, Grant Masters Online appears to be running a huge scam: They hook buyers with bogus offers in order to obtain ATM or credit card numbers then debit unsuspecting consumers for a “membership” that purportedly allows access to their grant writing information. (No information is sent about the service, either by e-mail or USPS.) Unfortunately, the scam doesn’t stop there: They automatically enroll the customer in additional “promotional offers” with companies they either own or with which they are affiliated, including but not limited to Powersale and BlazingKeyWords. Not only are consumers unaware of these offers, they are never given an opportunity to “Opt Out” of the service or contract(s).

May 28, 2009, I made an on-line purchase for a CD offering information about internet job opportunities with Google. My ATM card was debited $1.97 for this item, which I never received. A month later, on June 24, 2009, I noticed my bank statement had two unauthorized debits, each in the amount of $38.34, and two, 31 cent ATM/Special CHK/ATM international transfer fees. Charges were billed by Grant Masters. The following day there was an additional 58 cent ATM international transfer fee and an unauthorized debit made by Powersale in the amount of $72.21. To date I have not been able to contact Powersale since their phone number is not in service. On Saturday, July 11, I discovered yet another unauthorized debit pending in the amount of $72.21. This transaction was initiated by BlazingKeyWords. A user comment that I discovered online during the weekend led me to contact Google customer service on the morning of July 13. The representative said he would cancel this transaction and the charge was dropped.

These transactions appear to tie in with various Google offers and their link with Grant Masters. According to an Executive Officer at my bank, ALL CHARGES POINT TO GRANT MASTERS, including those billed by POWERSALE and BLAZINGKEYWORDS (BLAZINGWORDS). I have contacted Grant Masters regarding these charges, however, a refund has not been issued.

Contact Numbers:

Grant Masters 800-926-0273 support@grantmastersonline.com

Google Support Service 866-531-5311

Powersale 877-244-1121 - not a working number (may be able to contact through Grant Masters)

Blazing Key Words 877-248-9285

Write a letter to your State Attorney Generals office and the FTC (Federal Trade Commission):

Federal Trade Commission
Consumer Response Center
600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20580

RE: Grant Masters Online
Unauthorized Use of Debit/Credit Cards

File a complaint with the FBI Internet Crimes Division (www.ic3.gov)