Consumer Grants USA, Ultimate Funding, Customer Care Plus, ripoff Saint Petersburg; Clearwater Florida

First of all, I was also one of the victims, of that scam, and I really don't appreciate people doing that to us. We work hard for our money and YOU GUYS KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING IS WRONG..
LIKE MANY OTHER SCAMS.

If you are able to respond to this, I want to know what you have to say about this..

BBB Reliability Report
Consumer Grants USA, Inc.
PO Box 41802
Saint Petersburg, FL 33743

General Information

Original Business Start Date: February 2003
Principal: Mr. Jim Lovern, President
Phone Number: (800) 551-7099
Fax Number: (727) 430-4801
Membership Status: No
Type-of-Business Classification: Grant and Loan Filing Services
Website Address: www.gvtgrantinfo.com

Nature of Business

This company provides to consumers a publication titled "Government Grant Information Guide" that contains information regarding how and where people can apply for government grants. The company does not provide or obtain the grants for consumers. Consumers must apply for the grants themselves.


Customer Experience

Based on BBB files, this company has an unsatisfactory record with the Bureau due to unanswered complaints, unresolved complaints, and a pattern of complaints concerning selling practices and refund issues. The company has resolved some complaints presented by the Bureau, however the Bureau did not receive a response to other complaints.

The Better Business Bureau has received a pattern of complaints stating that the consumers have received unsolicited telephone calls from the company guaranteeing a government grant ranging from $8,000.00 to $30,000.00 for a fee ranging from $199.00 to $249.00. According to the consumers, they have not received the government grants or refunds from the company.

The company has resolved some of the complaints by providing partial refunds or an explanation of the situation. The company has stated that it does not guarantee that consumers will receive a government grant, and that the company only provides to consumers a guide informing them on how they can apply for a government grant.

In order to expedite the handling of any complaints, the company requests that you first contact it at (800) 551-7099.


The company's size, volume of business, and number of transactions may have a bearing on the number of complaints received by the BBB. The complaints filed against a company may not be as important as the type of complaints, and how the company handled them. The BBB generally does not pass judgment on the validity of complaints filed.

The following data concerns complaints processed by the BBB since the firm's file was opened or over the last 36 months, whichever is less.

Closed Complaints

Number of complaints processed by the BBB in the last 36 months: 406
Number of complaints processed by the BBB in the last 12 months: 406

Complaints Concerning

Advertising Issues - (6)
Number in the last 12 months (6)
Outcome of all complaints -
Resolved (4)
Unresolved (1)
Although the customer disputed the company's response, based on BBB experience the company properly addressed all the issues of the complaint. (1)


Selling Practices - (295)
Number in the last 12 months (295)
Outcome of all complaints -
Resolved (202)
Unresolved (47)
Delayed Resolution (1)
Although the customer disputed the company's response, based on BBB experience the company properly addressed all the issues of the complaint. (11)
Company did not respond (34)


Delivery - (29)
Number in the last 12 months (29)
Outcome of all complaints -
Resolved (16)
Unresolved (7)
Although the customer disputed the company's response, based on BBB experience the company properly addressed all the issues of the complaint. (1)
Company did not respond (5)


Guarantee/Warranty Issues - (1)
Number in the last 12 months (1)
Outcome of all complaints -
Resolved (1)


Refund Issues - (48)
Number in the last 12 months (48)
Outcome of all complaints -
Resolved (33)
Unresolved (6)
Although the customer disputed the company's response, based on BBB experience the company properly addressed all the issues of the complaint. (2)
Company did not respond (7)


Customer Service - (4)
Number in the last 12 months (4)
Outcome of all complaints -
Resolved (4)


Credit and/or Billing Issues - (23)
Number in the last 12 months (23)
Outcome of all complaints -
Resolved (20)
Unresolved (2)
Company did not respond (1)


License Information

This company is in an industry that may require licensing, bonding, or registration in order to lawfully do business. The Bureau encourages you to check with the appropriate agency to be certain any requirements are currently being met.

Additional Information

Additional Doing-Business-As Names:
Ultimate Funding, Inc.

Ultimate Funding Plus, Inc.

Customer Care Plus, Inc.

Government Grant Information Services

Government Grant USA

Federal Government Grant Information Center

Federal Grant

Federal Government Grant Processing Center

Gov Grant Info Service

Government Grant Information Guide

Your Choice

Victims of Crime

National Grant Center

USA Government Grants

US Government Grant Guide

New Federal Government Grant Information

Free US Government Grants

America Helps America

Financial Management Service

Freedom Grants

Additional Addresses:
4121 N 7th St (previously), Clearwater, FL 33758

5058 66th St N , Saint Petersburg, FL 33709

PO Box 41094 , Saint Petersburg, FL 33743

1021 51st Ave N , Saint Petersburg, FL 33703

PO Box 261 Clarion St (not a valid address), Tampa, FL 40613

5111 66th St N Ste 401 , Saint Petersburg, FL 33709

5 Rad Rd (Not a valid address), Saint Petersburg, FL 723385

Additional Phone Numbers:888-544-2519
800-556-3633
866-576-5821
727-544-2519
877-546-4300

800-796-2499
888-884-7487
800-515-5014
800-595-2304
800-530-4282


Additional TOB Classifications:
Telemarketing Service(s)

Company Management

Additional company management personnel include:
Mr. Leo Corrigan - Vice President
Mr. Marcus Hooks - President
Ms. Melissa Whitman - Assistant Manager
Ms. Evelyn Hernandez - Manager

Government Action

FLORIDA: On November 9, 2004, the Florida Attorney General's Office filed a six count action against the company alleging violations of Florida's Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act (Case Number 04-3-1050, filed in the Circuit Court of the Sixth Judicial Circuit in and for Pinellas County, Florida). Some of the allegations against the company include:

-- Making representations that consumers were selected to receive a guaranteed government grant if they paid a processing fee, then failing to provide the grant;
-- Making false and misleading statements to consumers about the nature of the goods or services to be provided;
-- Failing to refund any payments to consumers after the company failed to deliver guaranteed government grants as promised;
-- Failing to disclose refund policies during the initial telephone solicitation;
-- Misrepresenting the company's affiliation with the government;
-- Failing to obtain a signed contract from the purchaser prior to processing electronic transfer of funds; and
-- Failing to obtain a telemarketing sales license with the State of Florida.

This matter is pending. For more information and details on the action, please contact the Florida Attorney General's Office at (850) 414-3990 or http://myfloridalegal.com.



OHIO: On October 14, 2004, the Ohio Attorney General's Office filed a ten count action against the company alleging violations of Ohio's Consumer Sales Practices Act, Telephone Solicitation Sales Act, and the Ohio Do Not Call Act (Case Number 04CVH10 10754, filed in the Court of Common Pleas, Franklin County, Ohio). Some of the allegations against the company include:

-- Misrepresenting consumers by telling them they have been selected to receive a guaranteed government grant conditional on paying a fee, but never providing the grant;
-- Misrepresenting the company's affiliation with the government;
-- Misrepresenting or failing to disclose cancellation or refund policies during telephone solicitations;
--Failing or refusing to provide requested cancellations or refunds to consumers; and
--Soliciting by telephone Ohio residents whose numbers were listed on the National Do Not Call Registry.

This matter is pending. For more information and details on the action, please contact the Ohio Attorney General's Office at (800) 282-0515 or www.ag.state.oh.us.


NORTH DAKOTA: On May 11, 2004, the North Dakota Attorney General's office filed a Cease and Desist Order against the company for engaging in deceptive acts or practices during telephone solicitations to North Dakota consumers (Order filed in Burleigh County, North Dakota). The Order states that the company misrepresented to consumers that they would receive government grants in the amount of $25,000 upon payment of a $239.00 processing fee. Furthermore, the company processed unauthorized bank payments from consumers and made telephone solicitations to consumers who have registered for North Dakota's Do Not Call list.

Additional File Information

According to information received by the Better Business Bureau, this company has used the business names, addresses, and telephone numbers listed in this report to identify itself. This information has been obtained from customer complaints and other Better Business Bureaus across the country.

I am sure you are just a peon for this Rip-off Company, more than likely screwing your way to the top.



Your company maybe different than the one originally reported, but what you are selling is a fraud to consumers as well. I could give a rats ass about your recorded conversations, I know and you know those are doctored and you selectively record the parts you want and leave out the parts of your phone script that are all lies. How do I know? I worked with your bosses in the past with other frauds they were perpetrating to consumers and left the company as others did because we knew it was a scam, just like the one you are doing now. Unlike you Tracy, some of us have integrity, you are scum and I could guess who you might be.



I know others that have worked for these dirt bags; they say they never got paid! They did not dare to not pay me. I do feel guilty being paid with money stolen from innocent consumers.

My name is Tracy and I am the manager of the complaint department here at Consumer Grants. First off all let me inform you that there is a company working out of La Vegas stealing our guide information and selling it to customers. They are also giving the customers our 1800 number and PO Box address. The reason we know this is true is because we have been receiving grant guides that are not ours the companies address who is stealing our information is 2851 El Camino avenue suite 200 Las Vegas NV 89102. The 1-800 number listed in their book is 1-800-595-2304. Another address I have is 9030 w Sahara avenue suite 692 Las Vegas NV 89117. The name of our customer service company is Customer Care plus we do customer service for over 30 independent sales rooms who simply sell our product. Customer Care Plus only deals with in coming calls. Our phone lines our not able to do out going calls. So it is impossible for us to contact customers. The only out going calls are done from independent companies. Consumer Grants offers a guide to government grants. We offer a 100% money back guarantee that if our program does not work for you and you get denied for a grant we issue a refund for the cost of the program. All our customers go through a recorded verification were the terms and conditions are stated to them. They are asked if they understand and there answer is recorded. The customer also provides us with their account information and told a debit date. The customer is asked if the authorize us to debit their account, their answer is recorded. If you believe you have been contacted by this other room, please contact me at 1-800-551-7099. Our company is trying to get to the bottom of this. We do not appreciate a company ripping off customers under our name or ripping them off period.



Tracy Carter

1-800551-7099

I was called by a rep from India calling himself as employed by Federal Govt of US. I asked him several probing questions and finally he blurted out that he is calling from India.( I knew that this is a fraud business and I wanted to see who is calling me ). That Indian told me that he needs my account number so that the grant money can be wired to the account . He said I will get the grant within 15 days . I asked him , how can he say I will get the grant of $ 25000 when I have not even applied for it . He could not answer.



That stupid Indian went on saying that $ 249 is one time tax which the federal govt. collects and the $25000 will be deposited in my account.



I wanted to keep talking with him and hence i gave my Banking information ( Of course all wrong ). I found out that they are conning hundreds of US nationals every day , especially the elderly people.



He gave the customer service as 1-800-551-7099



When I contacted that number, no one was picking up. I did not pursue further because in any case I gave the wrong banking information and these guys can't take a dime out . All guys reading this mail take care

I was called by a rep from India calling himself as employed by Federal Govt of US. I asked him several probing questions and finally he blurted out that he is calling from India.( I knew that this is a fraud business and I wanted to see who is calling me ). That Indian told me that he needs my account number so that the grant money can be wired to the account . He said I will get the grant within 15 days . I asked him , how can he say I will get the grant of $ 25000 when I have not even applied for it . He could not answer.



That stupid Indian went on saying that $ 249 is one time tax which the federal govt. collects and the $25000 will be deposited in my account.



I wanted to keep talking with him and hence i gave my Banking information ( Of course all wrong ). I found out that they are conning hundreds of US nationals every day , especially the elderly people.



He gave the customer service as 1-800-551-7099



When I contacted that number, no one was picking up. I did not pursue further because in any case I gave the wrong banking information and these guys can't take a dime out . All guys reading this mail take care

I was called by a rep from India calling himself as employed by Federal Govt of US. I asked him several probing questions and finally he blurted out that he is calling from India.( I knew that this is a fraud business and I wanted to see who is calling me ). That Indian told me that he needs my account number so that the grant money can be wired to the account . He said I will get the grant within 15 days . I asked him , how can he say I will get the grant of $ 25000 when I have not even applied for it . He could not answer.



That stupid Indian went on saying that $ 249 is one time tax which the federal govt. collects and the $25000 will be deposited in my account.



I wanted to keep talking with him and hence i gave my Banking information ( Of course all wrong ). I found out that they are conning hundreds of US nationals every day , especially the elderly people.



He gave the customer service as 1-800-551-7099



When I contacted that number, no one was picking up. I did not pursue further because in any case I gave the wrong banking information and these guys can't take a dime out . All guys reading this mail take care