Grant Funding Search review: Fraud 334

I also bought the CD. But after they said they would call I got worried. Canceled my debit. Called and complained untill I got a refund from the manager for the 69.95 after seven days( [protected]. """Watch out theirs another member ship""". '''''''''''''''''Additionally, you will have full access to their proprietary wealth building software during your trial. After your 21 (twenty-one) day trial, you will be billed twenty-nine dollars and ninety-five cents for continued access to the Ideal Wealth Builder Club. If you have any questions pertaining to the Ideal Wealth Builder Club or if for any reason you would like to discontinue your service, contact them directly by calling [protected] ext 1''''''''''''''''.

ssgoldfinger

This site is a crock as all of you have said. The same thing has just happened to me also. I was charged the $1.99 to get the cd and was then contacted by a rep and asked if I would like to join another program and I said no to cancel my account and they also charged me $69.95 without my permission. I was also charged an overdraft fee from my bank because I didn't know this was being charged to me. This company is the biggest scam I've ever heard of!

Nice job, your finally found the crack in the armor.

TO ANYONE WHO'S BEEN SCAMMED BY GRANT SEARCH FUNDING OR AFFILIATED COMPANIES:

AFTER RESEARCH, BELOW ARE SOME OF THE LINKS INVOLVED IN THIS SCAM, WHICH I AM FORWARDING TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, FTC & OTHER AGENCIES:

The web address GRANT SEARCH FUNDING is providing to the banks is:
www.grantfundingsearch.net

This site contains links to related to companies involved in the grant scams:

http://www.grant-funding.org, PLEASE NOTE: AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS WEBPAGE, THE COMPANY HAS A LINK WHICH READS:

Please Donate To Help Keep Grant-Funding.org Running 100% FREE! We Appreciate Your Willingness To Donate! As of right now have reached our donation Quota, We Do not need any more Donations at The Moment. Thank You Stacy Herkert

Haven’t we donated enough already? They’re trying to convince us people are rushing to donate money to this upstanding organization!

The web pages listed below clearly have the word “TRIAL SOFTWARE” throughout the page and information at the bottom about the trial membership and subsequent monthly charges:
https://grantsearch.securemediabox.com/?file=index_v2.html&affiliateid=ROIGFS1&sub_affiliateid=CD53853
https://mysearchforgrants.secureauthority1.com

The web pages below are almost identical as the above, but WITHOUT ANY MENTION OF TRIAL MEMBERSHIPS, MONTHLY CHARGES and no information at the bottom of the page:
https://mysearchforgrants.secureauthority1.com/?affiliateid=2577&cid=1031&sub_affiliateid=CD53853

https://mysearchforgrants.secureauthority1.com/index_v2.html

Below is totally different web page, same or affiliated company, with membership information at the bottom:

https://grantsearch.securemediabox.com

Below is an affiliated company offering free government grants WITHOUT MEMBERSHIP INFORAMATION:

https://ssl.encryptedprocessing.com/~ylzguxyl/index.php?refer=s7&pubid=&subid=&storeId=385?subid=CD53853

Below is another affiliated site, totally different look:

http://www.grantsforall.us/?hop=gribol

Feel free to use this information in any complaint correspondence you forward to agencies.

THAT IS WHAT HAPPENED TO ME...CRIME IS REWARDED PEOPLE. WE MIGHT AS WELL ALL GET INTO IT AND START ROBBING EVERYTHING AND EVERYONE. IN THIS NEW WORLD IT IS THE NEW CULTURE> LOOK AT THE BANKS AND THE BAILOUTS. I HAVE HAD ENOUGH AND I AM NOT GONNA TAKE ANYMORE...

Don't feel stupid, people! If you're wondering how you could have missed the "Terms and Conditions" statement, here's the explanation. I also signed up for a free CD, only 1.98 for s/h. I never received the CD, but my account was deducted 1.98, plus I had the $69.95 charge, plus other charges for $39.95 and $27.95. I had never heard of the companies that deducted the other amounts. I contacted my bank, had to cancel my card & order a new one. Months later I had another $69.95 charge on my card. I called the bank who told me Grant Funding Search provided them with documentation proving I signed up for a trial offer which I needed to cancel within 7 days, otherwise Grant Funding would charge my account $69.95 per month until I did cancel. The bank gave me the web address, I pulled it up and the site had all the information on the order form page about the trial offer, the $69.95 charge per month, etc. However, I was certain this WAS NOT the website I had placed my order. After a little research, I found this company has SEVERAL different sites with different wording. The site they provided to my bank is one they use as proof you signed up for this offer. The site I placed my order from DOES NOT have a box for you to check which states that by ordering the CD you agree to the terms and conditions. I called my bank again to explain this, but once the company has provided them the information, the bank cannot refile the claim. So basically, this company is providing banks with FRAUDULENT information. The bank then states you must contact the company directly for a refund.

When you call the company, they will not refund your money, stating you agreed to the terms and conditions. Having it in very small print at the bottom of the page does not constitute an agreement, especially since there is nothing on the page about a trial offer, membership, etc. It specifically says you're paying shipping and handling for free software. When you argue this point, they insist you signed an agreement and end the call. It's no wonder everyone is confused. I wonder how many different, separate sites these people have in operation. I also understand they have several "shell" companies that operate using the same method, but have different charges (i.e., $39.95, $29.95), using different company names. I found links upon links upon links!

Someone has to do something about this! When you consider how much money and time they have stolen from consumers, the time and costs involved for the bank investigations and cancellation of credit/debit cards, it has to be an incredible loss to everyone except them. Please report this company to the Nevada State Attorney General's Office, BBB, your Federal and State representatives, etc. Type one letter, copy it and send it off to each of them by email. I'm sure someone has filed a complaint to the NV AG by now.

The Mafia is probably kicking themselves for not thinking of this idea first! Please let me know if you hear any status updates on these criminals.

I had the same thing happen. Call [protected] (The Grant Express). They gave me a confirmation number today and said they will refund my 69.95. They kept saying I agreed and were not going to at first but I told them I would take furter action if my account was not credited back. She put me on hold to speak to her supervisor, at least that is what she said, and when she came back she gave me an authorization code for my refund. We will see what happens.

MY NAME IS NAOMI, THAY GOT MY MONEY TO AND THE CD DOSE NOT WORK ! YOU NEED TO KEEP THOSE PEOPLE FROM TAKING OTHER PEOPLES MONEY I WANT MY MONEY BACK ... NOW!

HOW ON EARTH ARE THESE PEOPLE STILL NOT SHUT DOWN< OUR SYSTEM IS FALLING APART. CRIMINALS ARE REWARDED, THANX FOR THE CHANGE OBAMA...THESE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN REPORTED TO THE FBI, BBB and everyone else hundreds of times and still allowed to operate...

Add me to the list! When I signed up, signed on the website and it kept looping me back to home page so I sent an email to tech support. No response. Just happened to check my acct, and yup $70 was taken. Called them to cancel and first woman stated it was on the website in small print! I read the print before ordering CD! Told her I only received it two days ago. In short, she stated the 7-day trial starts WHEN U PLACE ORDER!?!?! you're kidding right? really? Tried to go back to website...no longer there...placed 2nd call...and told her site wasn't there...2nd rep stated she will refund money in 3-5 business days. Phone# [protected]

Stay tuned..

I have also been taken in by this scam. My account was also charged $69.95. I did receive my cd for the $1.98, but now when I try to log onto the website, I have no login. I called my bank and they will investigate, and when I try to find a phone number to call to get this cancelled, there is none to be found. I WANT MY MONEY BACK!

//Lynn

My name is Patrick Randolph i'm a Private Detective in New Jersey and I am conducting an investigations on Grant Funding Search and I as well ordered the cd and it came, after review of the cd I found the information to be bogus and un-informative to the contrary means of getting a grant. If you wish to inform me greater in dept please contact my office of FTA INVESTIGATIONS, LLC at [protected] or e-mail me at legalpat911@ftainvestigationsllc.org, my website is http://www.ftainvestigationsllc.com. My company is listed with the BBB and the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce please feel free to check. I work with a great deal of attorneys that will help in the fight of getting Grant Funding Search removed from the internet. Please feel free to contact my office at any time.

Hi yes they just solicted me over the phone about an hour ago, and I fell for it because my family is in a state of desperation. I figured at worst I would be out 2 bucks, but to find out they're going to screw me for more than that is unacceptable. seeing as I can't get through to cancel tonight, on Monday morning I'm going to call them to have them stop any automatic payment from them and probably cancel and reorder my card on Tuesday. If anyone could give me any advice before I have to deal with all this crap if theres a better way to deal with it, please contact me at MegaX50@msn.com, or on AIM at Megax50

I was doing research on grant funding for a small buisness i might start with no intentions of spending money i dont have. i am out of work as well as my wife is out of work.a guy from the company listed below called me and i told him i would call back if i am interested.then the next day the same man called and my wife answered the phone i wasn't home .he talked her into paying $1.98 and now a week later we have $69.95 withdrawn from our account .we do not have $69.95 to throw away like that with the economy the way it is today. then when i call them back about it they tell me that its a $69.95 charge per month. watch out for these government grant companies they will rob you blind . most of them i talked to cant speak good english and talk so fast you cant catch all they are saying .but i can gaurantee you my wife and i never heard anything about a 7 day free trial or a $69.95 monthly charge for this.i am pissed and i will fight and find away to get my money back. this is the company i talked too so fellow americans beware of these government loan rip off artists, con artists, this is a big fraud on hard working americans and shoud be stopped. COMPANY NAME - GRANT FUNDING SEARCH ADDRESS - 2850 HORIZON RIDGE PARKWAY SUITE 200 HENDERSON, NV 89052 PHONE - [protected] EMAIL -support@grantfundingsearch.com I HOPE EVERYBODY READS THIS AND HELPS TO SHUT THESE PEOPL DOWN BY NOT CALLING THEM PUT THEM OUT OF WORK .

WOW, i am sooooo glad that i asked the lady what the company was called and typed it into google! i just squeaked by on this one! close call! i told her what was doing and she seemed to understand when i said, "ok, no, i'm not doing this!" she quickly ended the call. how dare they prey on college students and people in desperate need of money?! wow. thank you all for these comments!

Good Luck Mr Liberty but if you do not have proof about canceling in time then your bank with take the money and give them back to them.

I don't know where this company got my credit card information, but they keep charing my credit card. I called the company to ask them to refund the money they charged my credit card. Basically, they said NO in no uncertain terms. I agreed to their terms - which I didn't. My bank is going after them with my blessings!

That is an auto response..its all you get call them relentlessly and clog the phones.

I just got an email from grant funding search about requesting a copy of the terms of agreement. and here is what I got back. (autoresponder of course!)

'Thank you for choosing Grant Funding Search for your grant assistance and
we apologize for the inconvenience that you may have experienced from our service.

We would like to help you with your problem. Kindly contact us at our Customer
Service Toll Free Number [protected]).

For your convenience our office hours is from 7:00AM - 5:00PM Mondays to
Fridays, Pacific Standard Time.'

Respectfully Yours,

Grant Funding Search

Alden it is INCREDIBLE that these guys are still operation.
That is why we have to take matters in our own hands.
The world is falling apart, no one cares about the little guy, scammers are rewarded and bailed out. I gave them more than enough time, I took every route available and even my bank would not back me (They had an email record and my language was not good enough for them to back me. I asked for a refund but I did not use the word CANCEL in the email so they took the 69 out so, I just took all my money out of and probably won't be caring about paying back that LOC either ( FUK U WAMU/CHASE). This is war people, we have been targeted by the banksters and scammers and its time to get it back.

I went and looked at several of these sites, and this one was actually endorsed by some guy that 'reviewed' grant info sites. shill anyone? That's how I got tagged. So not only did I get the 69.95 deducted from my account but I have also received 'memberships' to 2 different 'clubs' hands off of AS WELL. I don't want an instant downline thank you very little. and am in the process of hassling with getting ANOTHER $60 deducted from TWO different companies 30 bucks each. So check your statements, I couldn't contact the company until after the transaction went through b/c the info # to call showed on my account only AFTER posting the debit. I'm gonna get 'em. this is total bull.

Instead of tiering the interweb, maybe there should be more of a regulating agency of some sort to flush out these ###. I would love if someone posted the 'terms of agreement' that you hafta check, I couldn't find one anywhere. anyone help on that?

Read Moderator1876's other comments (click on the name, then click Comments), and see that each angry comment is in defense of one of the free trial scams. To Moderator1876: Sorry that we dare to voice our experiences and opinions and it upsets you so much. Maybe you want to go distribute your products somewhere else, where the masses have fewer rights.

I reported the to the ftc and bbb and the Bank Comish about my bank not backing my fraud claim.
THE GOV DOES NOTHING PEOPLE< they do not give a F*&K about us.
Either it's GO Postal with a 12 guage on these ###s or sue them, who is with me?

Class action would be great, but please ALSO go to the FTC and report them. The class action suit, if it makes it to court, could take years with little result and the best result might be an out of court settlement. The FTC will SHUT THEM DOWN.

CLASS ACTION! respond and we can set up an email list..

I had exactly the same problems!

class action class action...we need a lawyer people

I paid $1.98 through my credit card to Grantfundingsearch.com for info regarding grants. After more than 30 days I have yet to receive any information from them but it seems they have sold my credit card info to a company called CARREWARDS & REAWARDSCENTR located in Moorpark, California and these two have charged me $ 12.50 each. After complaining, they have cancelled my so-called "membership' but have refused to refund the amounts. I have written a letter to Moorpark Police Sattion, 610, Spring Rd., Moorpark, CA-93201. [protected]). Hope the police will not file my letter.

i was searching the web of free grants and this came up they called me about 8 times and i asked what web site it was that gave them my number and when i asked they told me grant search funding and when i went there it was fraud i had them on the phone and they asked for my checking account number.but after seeing all this i was like no think you i dont need it thanks.and the guy got all mad and hung up on me. thanks alot for posting it as fraud.

This is a total scam...I never received anything in the mail..No even the that CD they claim will help in processing. I don't how this company can get away with scam...I there is a "Class Action" I want to be a part of it...TRaso

There are six charges on my account for various amounts. My husband purchased a seimple CD for .99 cents and they keep charging us. We had our bank dispute the charges and hopefully we will get our money back from the bank. These people are cam artists and none of them hardly speak any english. It made us bounce in our bank 4 times and we have three mouths to feed. I hope someone does something about them if there is a lawsuit i would like to be part of it this is sad that in this day and age people can't make money themselves they have to take it from others.

Same thing happened to me. You need to act in 2 levels: contact the company again and insist until they cancel your subscription -if you insist long enough they will even refund the money, or some of it and then, go to your bank and denounce the fraud with them, fill out the forms they'll send you and in a month or so you will get your money back. Also, for security reasons, it would be a good idea to cancel the card that was used for the withdrawals and get a new card to avoid any new charges.
It is a bothersome process but at least you will get your money back. Good luck!

The FTC is publically ASKING for complaints regarding this scam. They will listen to you.

As far as proof, have you looked at your phone bill? My cell phone showed my call to them in January and each phone call after that. It shows both incoming and outgoing calls, including calls that left voicemails. When IWB claimed that I had never called in January and swore they had contacted ME by the phone number I never gave them, I told them bluntly I would be happy to get a copy of my cell phone bill and PROVE that they had not called me ever and that I had called them exactly when I said I did AND the bill shows how many minutes I spent on the phone with them, averaging about 1/2 an hour per call. They were dumbfounded that I knew I could prove that the phone calls did or did not take place, and obviously if I called them and talked to them for 1/2 an hour multiple times within a week, the FTC does not need a full transcript of the conversation to know that it wasn't a simply matter.

The FTC will be happy to get your complaint. They are going after these people with a vengeance and have publically told Yahoo and Google and Facebook, among others, to take action to keep these [censored] adds off their sites and ads. Check the report on these scams at ConsumerAffairs.com for full details.

Certainly a class action lawsuit would be a great idea, but the FTC will pursue and IS pursuing this without requiring us to pay a retainer.

WE NEED A CLASS ACTION NOW..WHO IS WITH ME! MY BANK DID NOT BACK MY CLAIM AS I HAD NO PROOF OF CANCELLATION. DO EVERYTHING VIA CERTIFIED MAIL OR YOU BANK WILL NOT PAY YOU BACK.

Yes This rip of gave their addres were they are located they also stoled $69.95 out of my checking i purchased a cd $1.98 and never got it then they took money out of my account. their address they gave was 850 horizon ridge parkway Hemerson nevada 89052. Her name was sherlian Cruz?We need to get our money back? the government has to help us solve this problem these people are stealing and the government has not solve the problem.

Ok, these guys are still around, using different names now, all including the word "Grant" and the other company uses the word "Ideal" in their various titles.

At the bottom of it, we found out that Ideal Wealth Builders is a "marketing subsidiary company of the parent company that owns Grant Funding Search." Uh huh.

I don't know exactly how it happened to you guys, but to answer Moderator1876's snotty comments, I WAS NOT buying anything - I asked for a free CD with information, supposedly from the government, about how to apply for grants to fund my daughter's college. The CD was free but a shipping and handling charge of $1.98 was asked for. This I approved. I KNEW the CD might be worthless, but I figured it was worth wagering $2 for. My mistake.

Only AFTER I gave my credit card number to them did I get informed that I was "also" being "given" a "7-day free membership" to their website. I was not told that the CD (useless enough already, terribly done, grammar, spelling, like a chimp using Power Point) was no good without going on their website to get further information. And I was told that I would also be "given" a "free 30-day membership" to Ideal Wealth Builders Club. I immediately made it clear that I did NOT want ANY membership to ANYTHING. I was patted on the head while they filed my credit card number for safe-keeping.

Grant Funding Search was smart enough not to charge my credit card more than the $2 I authorized them to do. It was only when Ideal Wealth Builders hit my credit card that I knew there was a problem. At that point I contacted GFS AGAIN. They said they could not cancel a membership for IWB because they were not the same company and I was given a phone number to call IWB which was not in service.

When I did get a number for IWB that worked, well, I typed it all above. Eventually they did refund the charge from February. But that refund form they wanted me to fill out to get the January refund was a joke, especially since I had called in January to get rid of them in the first place. My bank told me they could not advise me to sign the joke form or not, but that they definitely WOULD pursue the charges and I did not HAVE to fill it out. So I didn't. I did email that refund form to my bank, who thought it was rather absurd, which I agree it is. I received and filled out a dispute form for my bank and sent them a copy of my transcripts of the calls to IWB and all the emails to and from concerning GFS and IWB. I got my other $29.95 refund from my bank promptly. I got back in touch with my contact at the bank last week and she said they are pursuing it and I have done everything they need me to do.

So, Moderator1876, since neither GFS or IWB ever showed me any Terms of Service, and since I dared them repeatedly to produce anything written or recorded that showed I had agreed to anything beyond the $2 and they cannot do so, explain to me exactly what I bought that I am now ### about and exactly why I should shut up and let these companies walk over me? Happily, I now have my money back, but that is not due to GFS or IWB's fabulous customer service skills. Having provided names and times and even some emails addresses to my bank, Consumer Affairs, and the FTC, I hope they nail those suckers to the wall. And if you are not an employee of GFS or IWB, Moderator1876, then may I say that your complaint against the complainers on this board, the vast majority of whom were not trying to sit on our ### and do nothing, it SUCKS. If you are choosing to defend any actions by GFS or IWB, you are certainly someone I don't want to listen to. And no, I don't believe you really got $12k through using GFS or IWB. That's an internet commercial in which you are the star. Let me guess, you got it through a stimulus check from Obama?

As for the rest of us who were sincerely trying to find ways to help ourselves through grants, Consumer Affairs advises that if ANYONE is asking for ANY money to help you get grants, find out where to apply for them, asks for an application fee, or asks for any money whatsoever, RUN AWAY. Report them to ConsumerAffairs.com. CA has a huge report on these scammers. Also, pissedconsumer.com you will find complaints and replies regarding The Grant Instructor. This is the same people using their brand new name but playing the same old game.

Instead, try:
grants.gov

For educational grants:
fastweb.com

The upshot of my case is that my bank stood behind me. Since IWB did give me 1 of the refunds, it was probably not necessary to change my credit card number, but I did so anyway. Neither GFS nor IWB has yet to show me any TOS or prove any of their alleged emails and phone calls in which lies the "proof" that I asked for any of their services.

I am trying to start a small business and I came across "Grant funding search" site. They said for a small fee ($1.98) I would get a cd containing information on how to apply for government grants. I would have to cancel my membership in 7 days not to get charged $70.00. I cancelled with in the deadline and thought the matter was closed. Then a charge of $47 showed up on my account from a company I had never heard of, let alone had any dealings with. When I called them they said that when I signed up with "Grant funding search" I automatically signed up for there program. I was mad as heck! I asked them to cancel it and refund my money. They said they would. After reading all of these other complaint testimonials though, I think I will just cancell my card and take the loss. I didn't see a single person say that they got the money back. I did see several say they were charged again. I would complain to the proper authorities, but it looks like this company has been getting away with this for over a year. The authorities aren't interested in stopping it. To all of you who say I should have read the "fine print": There was no option at any time to read any terms and conditions before or after the point of giving my card #.

I was scammed too. And was told no refund, & yada yada yada. Same as everyone else. After reading all of the complaints on the internet on several different sites. I searched the Better Business Bureau, and sure enough Grant Funding Search gets an F rating. I expected that..However, I found the info and name of a "so-called" manager. So I called them back..again.. and asked for Mr.Ed Moore.I also let the woman know that there are Tort Cases existing on such selling methods, on misrepresentation of being Goverment facilitated, and what the internet postings sayfrom the people they have frauded, as well as the BBB. The lady asked me to hold, another lady by the name of Sandra Valdez came on the line. She said my refund has been approved, gave me a confirmation # for that, said it would be refunded in 3-5 bus.days. I wrote down the #, and assured her that if it wasn't refunded within 5 days I would be contacting her again, and then a tort case attorney. Amazing..when mentioning this information to her, I was was all of a sudden approved for a refund even tho 2 1/2 months has passed since I first ordered the cd. I think they know they are done for. I'd say to those of you who dont' know what to do..Call back, Ask for Sandra Valdez. Be Firm! Don't take no for an answer. Tell them not to tell you about terms and condition..Tell them to shut up and pay up or you will be on the "Tort Suit List" People vs Grant Funding Search . Make them listen. Hope this is helpful to someone. Good luck folks.
Sabrina Sullivan

I called them twice today but she was firmly denying my refund. I will call tomorrow asking for a supervisor. This is very incredible that nobody has stopped them. Like the other people we are trying to survive in y=this chalenging times and the less with desrve is some crooks stealing our money. any suggestion how can I get my 69.95 back?
Patricia

This is the phone # for The Grant Funding Search: [protected]
BBB Rating: F - http://www.vegasbbb.org/bbb_rated_acc_rpt.asp?bbbid=78650&tr=rated&lg=F&ex=11%2C15%2C18%2C19%2C22%2C26

I had the same experience. I ordered the CD for a flat shipping fee of $1.98 and five business days later, $69.95 was deducted from my checking account. I discovered this transaction the following day and called them immediately to seek a refund. I was informed that this charge was enforced after a seven day trial period upon order of the CD. I explained that I saw nothing regarding a recurring monthly charge, but even as so, I had yet to receive the CD and requested that the service be immediately canceled and the money refunded to my account. I was told that this was impossible as it was within their right to exact the charge stated on their website service agreement. I requested to speak to a supervisor, and was told that one would return my call.
I did receive a return call from a supervisor who reiterated the policy on refunds. I informed them that I was aware of their rating with the BBB, and based on the level customer service I was receiving, it wasn't a stretch to understand how they achieved it. I didn't threaten, cajole, or insult, but calmly explained that I had no interest in furthering my involvement in their service and respectfully requested that they refund my money, which the supervisor finally agreed to do, supplying a refund cancellation number and informing that the money would be refunded in 3-5 business days..
Well, here we are, 8 business days later. I called them back and was told that their must be some sort of "technical difficulty" in the billing department and to call again in 3 -5 business days if I didn't see the refund go through.
I don't like the direction that this is going. The saddest part is the fact that if someone is wiling to pay for a CD that will supposedly give them access to information that will assist them in funding their education, it can be assumed that they are not coming from a very lucrative position. To then begin charging a recurring fee of $69.95 is unconscionable. Fine print exists to shelter the crooked.