ECGRA Grant Facebook & Phone Scam
It has been reported that several Facebook pages may have been hacked and through those accounts, a predator posing as an ECGRA representative using the name Charles Grissom or Charles Grisham, purports to have personally received ECGRA grant money. The predator encourages grant seekers to call a number to receive funds. When the grant seeker calls the number, the predator offers thousands of ECGRA grant dollars in exchange for a “clearance fee.” Using intimidation tactics, the predator creates a sense of urgency and attempts to retain personal, social media, and banking information from the grant seeker. The predator gives a personal phone number as a contact number. The reported incidents occurred outside of Pennsylvania.
The public should be aware that ECGRA invests in Erie County, Pennsylvania, nonprofit organizations and municipalities only and does not grant monies to private citizens. Grants are determined by the ECGRA board of directors according to a predetermined grant schedule and based on online applications completed by prospective grantees. No ECGRA representative will ever contact members of the public by telephone to request money or any other form of payment. ECGRA has reported the incidents to the Erie Office of the Attorney General Bureau of Consumer Protection and local and state law officials.
If you are contacted either via Facebook or phone regarding receiving an ECGRA grant in exchange for a fee, follow these tips:
- Resist the pressure to act quickly. Without exception, ECGRA grants are determined by the ECGRA board of directors according to a predetermined grant schedule based on applications completed at https://ecgra.egrantusa.com/ by 501c3 organizations headquartered in Erie County, Pennsylvania.
- Do not give out personal, social media, or banking information over the phone. Read the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Rights & Responsibilities for Consumers of All Ages here: https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/uploadedFiles/MainSite/Content/Press/brochuresPublications/bcp_book.pdf.
- Report the contact to the Office of the Attorney General Bureau of Consumer Protection at (814) 871-4371 or consumers@attorneygeneral.gov.
- If you feel threatened, contact your local police department.
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An impact investor, ECGRA’s mission is to elevate Erie County by galvanizing nonprofits and small business toward economic and community development. Since February 2008, ECGRA has invested more than $32 million in Erie County. Learn more at ECGRA.org or call 814-897-2690.
ECGRA MEDIA CONTACT:
AMANDA P. BURLINGHAM
ECGRA PR & Brand Manager
aburlingham1@neo.rr.com :: 814-504-3037
