Free Government Grant Scam

The free government grant scam plays on the fact that real grant programs do exist, but almost none are handed out over the phone, by unsolicited email, or through a random social media message. Scammers claim the victim has been 'selected' or 'qualifies' for a grant worth thousands of dollars or pounds that never has to be repaid, then ask for a small fee to release the funds, cover taxes, or pay for expedited processing. Once the fee is paid, the grant never materializes and the scammer either disappears or invents further fees to keep the victim paying.

These scams spread through robocalls, Facebook and Instagram ads, text messages, and cold calls that often spoof the caller ID of a real government department. Some versions target people who have publicly posted about financial hardship, home repairs, or starting a small business, tailoring the pitch to what the victim actually needs. Legitimate government grants are applied for through official agency websites, never require an upfront fee to receive money you have already been approved for, and are never awarded on the spot over the phone.