Okay, true confession.  How sad is it when we at BBB get excited when we see a new scam?  That’s like emergency room humor!  Sorry to all of you in advance that we were a bit “juiced” about this interesting twist on an old scam.

You know the drill. Money for nothing, our government’s giving it away – just apply! You get a nice letter from “Linda Spaulding,” or another opportunistic “grant broker,” who acquired $10,000 JUST FOR YOU! 

Linda’s letter says you look like someone who could use some financial aid; now who can’t these days? You’re free to use the free money to cover tuition, start a business or pay your bills. Linda sends your first check (BBB reports claim a range from $975.50 to $4,975) with the promise of more, much more, to come.

You don’t have to repay the grant; all Linda asks is a finder’s fee or commission for her trouble. She provides instructions to return her commission by purchasing a GREENDOT® Reloadable/MoneyPak. “Commissions” have varied from 4% to 10%.

Linda provides honest-to-goodness instructions for obtaining the GREENDOT® MoneyPak. The max “load” on a GREENDOT card is $500, so Linda’s commission ironically never exceeds that amount. The instructions become more explicit and more conversational. You are directed to go to a Kinko’s to fax her the activation code.  Linda’s customer service is tip-top, so she even includes directions to help you find a Kinko’s in the yellow pages and tells you where you can find the activation code on the GREENDOT card. 

In no time, Linda drains the card. It’s not until days later you find out her first check bounces (it’s either counterfeit or drawn on a closed account). What about the second check? Well, our victims are still waiting.

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