>> RELATED: How to spot and avoid Facebook scams
According to a BBB Scam Tracker report, a Springfield woman lost $2,000 in a Facebook grant scam. The scammer, posing as the woman’s pastor’s wife, told her she was eligible for a $150,000 grant but would have to pay $2,000 up front via gift cards.
When the woman reached out to her pastor’s wife, she didn’t know anything about the grant.
>> RELATED: Dangerous scams: 10 schemes that hustled the most money from victims
Here are the BBB’s tips to protect yourself from this scam:
- Don't assume an offer in a message from a Facebook friend is legit. Call or talk to them in person to verify if they contacted you.
- Be wary of unsolicited messages as government agencies do not communicate through social media avenues like Facebook.
- Don't pay for a "free" grant. It's not free if you have to pay to claim it. Also, do not send money via wire or prepaid gift cards.
- Educate yourself on the terms of a grant. To receive a grant, you must first apply for it and go through an extensive process. You can visit www.grants.gov for a list of nearly all grants available to the public.
- If you or someone you know has been a victim of a grant scam, report it to the BBB Scam Tracker.
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