Quick answer: Report a fake government grant scam to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to Grants.gov’s fraud reporting page. The U.S. government never contacts individuals by phone, text, or social media to offer unsolicited grants. Legitimate federal grants require a formal application through Grants.gov and never charge a fee. If you paid, contact your bank immediately.
Government grant scams are among the most persistent consumer frauds. Scammers call, text, or message on social media claiming you’ve been selected for a government grant — often thousands of dollars — but must pay a small “processing fee,” “taxes,” or “insurance” to receive it. The money never arrives. The FTC receives tens of thousands of these complaints annually. Reporting stops these operations and can help others avoid the same trap.
How Grant Scams Work
The most common version: a caller claims to be from a government agency (the “Federal Grants Administration,” “U.S. Treasury,” or similar) and says you’ve been approved for a grant because you pay taxes or are a “good citizen.” To receive it, you must pay a small fee via gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency. Once paid, they demand additional fees for “taxes” or “insurance” — this continues until the victim stops paying. Social media versions use fake government-looking profiles. Text versions claim you need to click a link to “claim” your grant. All versions share one trait: a request for upfront payment, which a real government grant never requires.
Where to Report a Grant Scam
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Get Your Free Checklist →| Situation | Agency | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Fake government grant / fee fraud | FTC | ReportFraud.ftc.gov | 1-877-382-4357 |
| Fake Grants.gov impersonation | Grants.gov fraud team | grants.gov/grant-fraud |
| HHS grant impersonation | HHS OIG Fraud Hotline | 1-800-447-8477 | oig.hhs.gov |
| Online / wire fraud | FBI IC3 | IC3.gov |
| State consumer fraud | State Attorney General | Search “[your state] attorney general consumer complaint” |
| Social media scam account | The platform + FTC | Use “report” button on platform; file with FTC |
How to Report a Government Grant Scam Step by Step
- Do not pay anything. No legitimate government grant ever requires an upfront fee, processing charge, or tax payment. The moment a “grant” requires payment to receive it, it’s a scam — hang up or stop responding.
- Contact your bank if you paid. Call immediately to stop payment or initiate a wire recall. For gift cards, call the card issuer’s fraud line — some can freeze unused balances. The faster you call, the better the chance of recovery.
- Gather documentation. Save call logs, text messages, social media messages, any account or confirmation numbers the scammer provided, and any payment records (gift card numbers, wire receipts).
- Report to the FTC. File at ReportFraud.ftc.gov with the caller’s number or contact info, the agency they claimed to represent, the amount paid, and how you paid. The FTC is the primary agency pursuing grant scam operators.
- Report to Grants.gov. If the scammer impersonated Grants.gov or a specific federal grant program, report directly at grants.gov/learn-grants/grant-fraud. Grants.gov actively tracks and publicizes these scams.
- File with the FBI’s IC3. For wire fraud or significant losses, file at IC3.gov. IC3 coordinates with financial institutions on recovery and tracks patterns in advance-fee fraud.
- Report to your state AG. State attorneys general can pursue scammers targeting residents of their state and have obtained refunds for victims in some cases.
- Report social media accounts. If the scam came via Facebook, Instagram, or another platform, use the platform’s report button to flag the account. This helps get it removed before more victims are targeted.
The #1 Rule: Real Grants Never Charge Fees
No unsolicited calls: The U.S. government does not call, text, or message individuals on social media to offer surprise grants. Legitimate grants require you to apply.
No upfront fees: No legitimate government grant charges a processing fee, tax payment, or insurance fee to release funds. Any request for payment before receiving grant money is fraud.
Find real grants: All legitimate federal grant opportunities are listed at Grants.gov. Individual consumers rarely qualify for federal grants — most go to organizations, researchers, and governments.
Penalties for Grant Fraud
Wire fraud: Up to 20 years federal imprisonment per count (18 U.S.C. § 1343). Grant scams involving phone or internet constitute wire fraud.
Mail fraud: Up to 20 years if mail is used (18 U.S.C. § 1341).
FTC enforcement: Civil penalties and injunctions — the FTC has shut down multiple large-scale grant scam operations and obtained consumer refunds.
Frequently Asked Questions
For related guides see: How to Report a Fake Charity, How to Report an Online Scam, How to Report Identity Theft.
Independent resource — not affiliated with any U.S. government agency. Last reviewed: June 2026.
This guide is a supporting article in our pillar resource covering all scam types, every federal agency, and all 50 state contacts.
How to Report Any Scam: Complete U.S. Guide →Rules and complaint offices vary by state. Use our state lookup to find the correct reporting agency, phone number, and complaint portal.
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