EFI Enterprise

We urge caution. This company solicits consumers by direct mail and internet ads regarding private grants that may be available to them. This company purports to be a grant brokerage company, claiming they have exclusive connections with corporations and wealthy parties who give grants. They claim to specialize in locating grant money for individuals of average or below average income. These grants may be for education, debt relief, low income subsidy or any other type of “financial aid”. Responding victims apply for their grant and are sent printed information along with a check, typically for $4,975.00. They are then directed to a website for instructions. The website contains several photos of individuals purporting to be brokers. Respondents are instructed to click on the name of the broker who secured their grant, and send the commission using a specific variety of stored value credit card (Greendot Reloadable/MoneyPak. Respondents are promised a second, larger check after the stored value card number is e-mailed to the broker. Of course, the card is quickly liquidated and the original check is later returned as counterfeit, or account closed. We believe the broker name to be fictitious, or frequently changed to avoid detection by authorities.

Although a grant seems like a reasonable explanation for receiving a large sum of money, especially for college students, generally grants are not designed to provide a means for you to pay your bills or have extra spending money. Obtaining a grant is usually a complicated process requiring documentation and research, and they are primarily for education, research, and business purposes. Don't be fooled by official looking checks drawn from accounts at well known banks. Counterfeit checks are often drawn on an active and verifiable account, typically at Wells Fargo. Explanations may vary, but these companies have thought of everything. They will supply convincing printed information with a plausible explanation for why funds need to be sent back to the broker. (Conflict of interest, regulations, etc.) In this case, money is transferred back to the scammer via stored value credit card. Thus, avoiding the suspicion often generated by wire transfers. This method also facilitates further laundering of the stolen funds.