© 2024 WFSU Public Media
WFSU News · Tallahassee · Panama City · Thomasville
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Scammers Target Bay County Residents With Promise Of Govt. Grant Money

MGN Online

Bay County Sheriff’s deputies are warning residents about a scam involving a fictional grant, promising to shell out thousands of dollars in exchange for a few hundred.

Sheriff’s office spokeswoman Ruth Corley says her office has already received several complaints from people claiming to receive cards via UPS from a group calling themselves the National Media Group.

“The card has information on it, claiming that the recipient has just been awarded a government grant worth more than $20,000,” said Corley. “All the intended victim has to do is call a 1-800 number to receive that grant money, but it also instructs the recipient to send money to cover processing the grant money.”

And, Corley warns residents to stay away from these types of scams.

“So, the Bay County Sheriff’s office just wanted to advise people to simply throw the card away,” added Corley. “This is a scam. You never send money to anyone that is requesting a fee to award you grant money or lottery money or somebody just decided to give you money.”

If anyone thinks they’re a victim of this scam, they should contact the Sheriff’s office.

For more news updates, follow Sascha Cordner on Twitter: @SaschaCordner.

Sascha Cordner has more than ten years of public radio experience. It includes working at NPR member station WUFT-FM in Gainesville for several years. She's worked in both radio and TV, serving in various capacities as a reporter, producer and anchor. She's also a graduate of the University of Florida with a bachelor's degree in telecommunications. She is the recipient of 15 awards from the Associated Press, Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), and Edward R. Murrow. Her award-winning stories include her coverage on the infamous “Dozier School for Boys” and a feature titled "Male Breast Cancer: Lost in the Sea of Pink." Currently, Sascha serves as the host and producer of local and state news content for the afternoon news program "All Things Considered" at WFSU. Sascha primarily covers criminal justice and social services issues. When she's not reporting, Sascha likes catching up on her favorite TV shows, singing and reading. Follow Sascha Cordner on Twitter:@SaschaCordner.