Scam warning
Free Government Grant
A call, text or Facebook message says you've been chosen for a free government grant of thousands of dollars. You just have to pay a small “processing fee” or share your bank details first.
Also called: Government grant scam, Free money scam, Stimulus scam
The one thing to remember
The government doesn't call people to give them free money, and never charges a fee for a grant.
How it happens
- Someone contacts you, sometimes through a friend's hacked Facebook account.
- They say you qualify for a grant because you pay taxes on time, or you're a senior.
- They ask for a fee, often in gift cards, or your bank account number to “deposit” the money.
Warning signs
- Free money you didn't apply for.
- A fee to get the grant.
- A friend on Facebook saying they got one too.
- An official-sounding agency name you've never heard of.
What to do
- Don't pay and don't share bank details.
- Real grants are listed free at grants.gov. For benefits you may qualify for, see USA.gov/benefits.
- If it came from a friend's account, call your friend. Their account was probably hacked.
Last checked: October 31, 2026