Federal Grant Processing Center rip-off! Las Vegas Nevada

I was called by a "haitian-sounding" gentleman, who said his name was Mel Cooper with an ID number of 0492. I was informed that I had been approved for a Federal Grant for $8,000 and all I needed to do was to confirm some information. The information asked for was name, address, phone number. Then he said I would be connected to another person whom I would need to give a confimation number to. I confirmed his information.

Then he asked for my bank name. I asked why he needed my bank name for them to send me a check. His answer was he didn't know, it was just part of the rules. I humored him with "a" bank name and address, but told him under no circumstances was I going to give him my account number over the phone. He then gave me the routing number of the bank. He then talked about the grant some more and finally said, now I just need the "numbers after the numbers he had confirmed that appear on my checkbook". I told him, excuse me, but I already told you that I was not giving you my account number. Why are you asking for it now? I was not exactly "low in tone" as he had assured me that I would not have to give him this information.

After several attempts by him to get me to give me the number by saying that this was legitimate and safe, etc. He said he would send me information in the mail. I asked him why I wasn't going to talk to the person with the confirmation number and he told me that I could only talk to them after I gave him my account number. He never did say I was going to have to pay anything, but I was not about to give him my number over the phone.

Paul
Tucson, Arizona
U.S.A.