Guide
Government grant scams: how to spot and avoid them
Updated · GrantsJunction editorial
Government grant scams promise "free government money" in exchange for a fee or personal information. Real federal agencies never charge a fee to apply for a grant, do not call or message people out of the blue to offer grants, and do not guarantee awards. If someone asks you to pay for a grant, to share bank details to "receive" one, or to pay a processing fee, it is a scam — report it to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Warning signs
- Unsolicited calls, texts or social-media messages saying you qualify for a government grant.
- Any fee to apply, process, release or "guarantee" a grant.
- Requests for your bank account, Social Security number or gift cards.
- Official-sounding agency names that do not exist, or websites that are not .gov while claiming to be the government.
- Promises of grants for personal expenses such as debts or bills — federal grants generally fund organizations and specific projects.
How to protect yourself
- Search for opportunities on official sources such as Grants.gov, or on independent tools that link back to them.
- Register only on SAM.gov and Grants.gov directly — both are free.
- Verify any contact by looking up the agency's official website yourself.
Useful links
Frequently asked questions
Is GrantsJunction a government website?
No. GrantsJunction is an independent research tool. It never charges fees for public grant information, never asks for bank details, and links every listing to its official source.
Where do I report a grant scam?
Report it to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. You can also report fraud involving federal grants to the relevant agency's Office of Inspector General.
General information, not legal or grant-writing advice. Rules can change — the official notice and the awarding agency govern.