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Trina 1049 784 Nucla	Easy Grant Scam 8/28/2008 11:40:14 AM
	I Fell For It! Trina L.C. Sonnenberg I've been scammed! Yep, me, who is always writing about how not to get scammed. I am the squeaky wheel that just got greased, and not in a good way. So, I am going to tell you what happened, and what to look out for, so that you don't fall for it too. I went looking for information about becoming a grant writer. I have been asked a few times, by people in our school district, if I'd be interested in taking a stab at writing a grant or two (or as many as possible if I turn out to be proficient at it), and thought I'd look into it. I am a writer, and I have a child in school, so why not. Besides, it's and opportunity to learn a new skill. I visited Google, to see what I could see. I found a web site for a company called Easy Grant Success. I read it over, and over... It appeared to me to be legitimate, and the offer was a good one. I pay shipping and get a CD tutorial on grant writing. The shipping charge was only $2.29, so what the heck, right? I figured that even if the product was a dud, I wouldn't be out that much. Less than a week later I received a CD in the mail, and an additional charge to my PayPal debit card for $39.95! I got a receipt for the $2.29 CD, but nothing to explain the $39.95. I went to my PayPal account and had a look. Sure enough, there was a charge that I did not authorize, and knew nothing about. Naturally, I went to the resolution center and filed a charge back. Today, less than a week later, I've gotten a charge on my debit card from a company I've never heard of, (Business Funding Success) for $7.95. I called PayPal and filed another dispute, canceled my debit card, requested a new one, and learned that Easy Grant Success is a known scam. Known to PayPal, but not to me. I'm slipping, I guess. After all, my oldest son refers to me as the, 'Research Queen'; I should've known better. My only excuse is that I've been very busy promoting my clients' legitimate business ventures, and have not spent much time looking over scams. Much to my dismay, I admit. I must also admit that I was in too big of a hurry and did not do my own due diligence before ordering the ultra-cheap CD. Which, by the way, I have not put into my machine to review; too afraid that it may be more junk, I guess. I did not practice what I preach; lesson learned. Learn from my mistake too. What really kills me is that if I had just Googled the company name BEFORE submitting my information to them, I would've seen SCAM right away. Like I said, they are a known scam, not just to PayPal, but to a lot of other people too. Many people have been ripped off by these guys. If I'd have only listened to my own advice, I'd not have to go through all the crap I'm having to go through now. Just go have a look at the Rip-Off Report. Really, this is not the only way this company has stolen money from people. They use the telephone too. On the lighter side of things... I will say that at least I pay attention to my credit card statements and my PayPal account. To PayPal's credit, at least they take quick action, and I was assured that I will get my money back. NEVER give any personal information to someone who calls you on the phone. NEVER agree to do a check by phone, even with your legitimate creditors. If you want to do a check by phone transaction, you can call them. NEVER give your information on a web form without knowing who you are giving it to. That means researching the company, if they are new to you. Hey, that's what search engines are for. ALWAYS read your statements, not just the payment due part. Keep an eye on your money accounts, or they may disappear on you. Copyright © 2008 The Trii-Zine Ezine www.ezines1.com About the Author: Trina L.C. Sonnenberg Publisher - The Trii-Zine Ezine - Your Trusted Source for Internet Business and Marketing Information. Serving online professionals since 2001. ISSN# 1555-2276 http://www.ezines1.com/triizine http://www.ads-on-q.com/intro Author of: My Journey A Lifetime of Verse http://stores.lulu.com/triizine Internet Marketing Mavens http://internetmarketing-mavens.com Keywords: scam, easy grant success
	Trina L.C. Sonnenberg Freelance Commercial Writer TLC Promotions & The Trii-Zine Ezine ISSN 1555-2276 http://www.tlcpromotions.net http://trii-zine.com http://FAA.tlcpromotions.net
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Peter 1470 7259 Lod	Re: Easy Grant Scam 8/28/2008 12:48:49 PM
	Hi Trina, Interesting story and thanks for sharing.it with us. I agree due diligence and checking your accounts are the name of the game. The only question I have is why Paypal allowed them to be merchants in theur system if they were known to be a scam. Why weren't you advised by them when you made your first query about the $39.95 debit to your account? Shalom, Peter
	Peter Fogel Babylon 7
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BCN NEWS W/ 127 45 Santa ...	Re: Easy Grant Scam 8/28/2008 10:40:52 PM
	Hi Trina: I am sorry that you had this experience. Our radio station's general manger, Joe Buccheri and American Media International developed a special program for those across the Internet interested in the grants process and it sold out. Many of the students we are now assisting have already received verification that their grants were approved and in very little time. While the course was only $100, which equates to a little over $5 a month, it had nothing to do with CD's, etc. All total we signed up 50 people, which earned the program $5,000. In December of this year, we will be donating those funds to pediatric cancer research. What is more exciting is that our parent company, AMI will be matching the funds raised. We get email after email asking us to purchase and buy into the grants CD industry and we decline. All you get is that CD and no help to assist you to move forward to succeed in securing the grant. That's a real shame. You may want to wait until January 2009, when we will be inviting others to join our Grants News program. To your success, Brian Middleton / Director BCN NEWS
	The world of advertising and marketing is one where ethics and fair play abound.
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Trina 1049 784 Nucla	Re: Easy Grant Scam 8/29/2008 7:40:21 AM
	The reason they got through PayPal is because I used my debit card, not a direct link from a PayPal button. PayPal did a search on the merchant name, while I was on the phone with them and found that they were listed as a scam. My first query was done through postal mail, but the second was over the phone. PayPal had just received my chargeback request form when I called them. I needed to send another form regarding the new charges, but this time they gave me a fax number, to speed things up. I don't have any problem with PayPal, or the way they're handling this at all. My first query could've been faxed to them, except that I was not looking for the fax number on the site, and sent it snail mail. My bad. Like I said, I will get my money back, and I am satified with PayPal's handling of it. My debit card has been canceled, and a new one is on its way. Trina
	Trina L.C. Sonnenberg Freelance Commercial Writer TLC Promotions & The Trii-Zine Ezine ISSN 1555-2276 http://www.tlcpromotions.net http://trii-zine.com http://FAA.tlcpromotions.net
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