"United States Department Of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Award Programs"

I was on Twitter the other day and received a message from a member of a popular 70's and 80's singing family. He stated he couldn't trust anyone with the information and was looking for an honest and trustworthy person who could take possession of a briefcase that his security detail would hand deliver but not be told what was in it. I played along since he wanted my full name, address and cell phone number. I told him I would need his security company name and phone number. He didn't give me the name but he did give me 323-250-6343 as the phone number to contact them on. I knew it was a scam from the moment it started but wanted to see how far he would take it. Wondering what country I was responding to.

Same thing just happened to me. They picked a friend of mine on Facebook and began acting as if they were her. I asked them some specific questions only me and my friend would know. They could not answer my question correctly. They got aggravated with me saying (she) my friend was hurt that I did not trust her. Oh well, beware.

They feed on the weak and vulnerable. I did not give them any information and I plan to contact my friend to tell her what happened with them using her account.

I had someone choose a friend of mine but left out a letter in her name, took her picture and then messengered me with the, hey Girlz... (ok she is a writer and a professional and would not address me as girlz. Then she/he told me about this program and how my name was on the list as unclaimed. I replied with some questions and another red flag, she gave me his info and then said he was honest and trustworthy. ummm, working for DHHS I would think so.

But once I called, his phone had a terrible connection and he said he would get back to me.

then he texted me his list of demands - full name, preferred address, mobile number, marital status, occupation, worth of income (huh?) debit or credit card and do I want cash or check, phone carrier, state country (isnt al that in my address?)

I just received a message from a friend on FB messenger - he's someone I know and respect but he rarely uses FB, so I immediately thought it was odd. Suffice to say, our exchange went pretty much the same as others have described.

I've since contacted him by email to let him know that I think his account has been hacked. I tried to report the message but whoever sent it has deactivated so there's no option to report it.

I got a message from a friend on FB messenger who - if anything - texts me directly. It said:

'How are you doing??'

Pretty good. Gonna finally start looking for a job this week after 4 months. Hahaha. How's xxxx, xxxx, xxxx and xxxx doing?

'Am doing pretty good and I have good news to share with you. Have you heard about DHHS program?'

No. what is that? Sound like Department of Health and Humane Service... LOL

'Why are you laughing???'

Did I guess it right? (at this point, I think its not my friend)

'Why are you guessing have hard about it before??' (PS now I know its not my friend because she doesn't have typos in her texts, so now I know and I am texting her)

no. I was just trying to put the letters together.

'No tell me truth stop kidding me'

I just think it sounds like a scam. I am calling your cell right now to make sure this is you and your profile hasn't been hacked.

'No it's not a scam the grant is real and legitimate if it's was a scam I won't let you be a victim?'

Dude, I just single handedly took down a ring of scammers in Los Angeles. I worked with the FBI and I kept the losers on the hook for a week until the FBI found 6 out of 8 of them in their apartment. Bring it... because you picked the wrong person to f***k with... My friend xxxx doesn't have typos in sentences - SO PICK YOUR NEXT TARGET - YOU'RE A TERD.

AT THIS POINT I HAD GOT IN TOUCH WITH FRIEND OVER TEXT, LET HER KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON AND SHE CHANGED HER FB PASSWORD. SO THE CONVERSATION ENDED.

Good Luck - they are coming from everywhere these days.

I received a Facebook message from a friend who asked if we had received our Workers Comp Program OWCP claim yet.

She just received hers from FedEx and saw that our name was ahead of hers.

I said we had not; I always get deliveries from FedEx when I order stuff.

She gave me the agent as Sue Burton with a number of 262-404-7895 and said I should text her.

I did and received a TEXT answer all in CAPS asking for my husbands full name...that's all.

He didn't want me to do this.

I then contacted the Workers Comp for the State of Nevada where we live and the lady there had not heard of a Sue Burton, or anything close to that.

We talked about scams and I'm still 'googling' information.

That's all...

There is a 3rd party fraud exercise running with this as well.

I was contacted via a mimicked Facebook friend advising me that he had an award from DHHS and had also seen my name on the list.

By asking said fake contact some uniquely personal questions regarding our past contacts, he backed off.

The fact that I live in Australia and am never likely to receive anything from DHHS or the US treasury was more than enough for me to question the contact anyway.

Plus 50 years in the IT industry and in cyber security helps as well.

I was invited to the DHHS programme by a professional friend she said it was true and legitimate. They even offered to loan me part of the £700 for tax etc. My husband was online and found it was a scam but I had already give my information. Worried sick now.

I thought it would be too good to be true that the government would ever give free money to any citizen of the United States. It would truly be a good idea to do so, however, a ONE TIME thing to help those in need (U.S. citizens that is) a financial boost so they could live more independently by purchasing a home or small business for future support. It would help the welfare department emenesly.

Please be aware these same low-lives are operating through hacking emails on Facebook, etc.

They want your personal information via text or email and they refuse to send anything through the mail.

The number they used on me is 407-853-2399.

My recent contact from an old school teacher said she saw my name on a list about some reward or grant she received a lot of money from and my name was on that list. She asked me if I want the agent's number? She told me she paid 500 for a check worth 60,000.

Yea someone tried the same on me . They got nothing because the government ain't going to give away that much money to us no where. All you have to do when they contact you is ask them questions that only your friend knows if it's wrong it's a fauld

I have been scammed. Received a message from who I THUGHT WAS A FRIEND telling me to get a grant for $200,000. I filled out the information like a dummy. When they asked for $2000 to process I contacted who I thought was my friend and she said she payed the money to get the money delivered to her.

What can I do about my information being out there?

Sandra C.

The DHHS grant scheme is using "Messenger without Facebook". I received such a message from one of my contacts purporting to have received a generous grant after she contacted "DAVIS SAWYER" at this link hxxp://m.me/Agentdavissawyer.

Already extremely suspicious I used the link and was contacted by this Davis Sawyer who texted that I would need to "fill out a form. Was I ready to do that?" When I texted asking what the "grant was for? the reply was that "The United States department of Health... to provide essential … for those who are least able to help themselves." etc.

Obvious rubbish so I replied that I didn't need looking after and bid goodbye. When I tried to ring my 'contact' from the said messenger site the voice said my contact could not answer and to leave a message.

Clearly this is a scam and I am contacting mutual friends to alert them.

I gave my name and mothers name and date of birth to someone claiming they were from DHHS and wanted to award me a grant. I have yet to send them any money. What do I do?

Text came from 19784340445.

One of the contact text number they used: 323-250-6343

My friend received an email allegedly from Dept of Health and Human Resources saying she had been awarded money.

She called to ask me whether I had received "my" money - she had seen my name on the list of "Beneficiaries" but marked as "unpaid". Another friend had lost $35,000 to a IMF scam several years ago, so I was leery, since the transaction details seemed very similar.

She said she paid them $3,000 and received a check for $70,000.

I told her not to spend a cent until she KNOWS it has cleared the bank.

I received a message from a friend.

It didn't seem real, but I still sent all my info.

What happens now that I gave my info?

I got a message on FB messenger from my supposed Uncle, I was suspicious right away because he avoided my questions about family and have me a number to call even though I expressed no interest in this information.

Is there someone I can report this too? How do I go about it? I haven't deleted the conversation. Thanks

I got this call early this morning. Almost exactly like one of these previous ones. I really thought this person was the very dea person I had not heard from in a very long time.

I carried on a texting back and forth with him. He told me his good news. I never heard of it. Because of who I thought it was I kind of believed him.

He gave me a number to text to an Agent Scott Scollick that was in charge of the it. He said to let him know how I made out.

I started to think about it and looked up the persons name. There is someone with that name. Then I remembered something about my friend.

He would have been in church at that time and he never misses church unless he is really sick and if he were sick he definitly would not be texting me. I'm glad I looked for more info. Thanks

I believe that this scam may now be on Facebook. I received a friend request from a coworker at a previous employer.

I agreed. Shortly after I received a PM from the person telling me about a program giving out $250,000.

He said my name was on the "winner" list. I asked for a link but he did not provide it.

He said that he was contacted by the FedEx agent and that I need to do the same.

The language used was very odd for the person who I thought that I had Friended.

I checked my Friend list and found that I had 2 Friends with the same name and photo but different profiles.

I unfriended the new contact.

I received a message from someone who was using messenger without facebook, posing as a friend of mine this morning.

They started out with typing hello, then asked how are you doing today? I responded back thinking that it was my friend, telling them Good Morning, that I was doing good, and that my husband was doing about the same.

They responded back saying that they were doing good, and that it was nice to hear from me, that they had been trying to get a hold of me.

I thought something wasn't right when they said that to m.

They then went on to ask me if I had heard of the New Federal Department of Health and Human Services.

I responded back to them telling them no. They responded back telling me that they had just received $200,000 dollars from them that they were help the old, working, disabled, retired people by sending them a check or cash, and they went on to ask if I had got mine yet that they seen my name listed on the list.

I told this person that I had to be careful about that cause I wasn't a senior citizen and that they had better watch out too, that it sounds too good to be true.

This person responded back telling me that they saw my name and that I should get in contact with a Robert Smith, that he was the person in charge of this, that he helps the winners in claiming their money, and went on to ask if I knew how to claim the money, another red flag.

Then after that they kept on saying that it was legit that they had gotten their money delivered right to their door step, right before they told me about it.

I asked this person that was portraying my friend when they got this money. They replied with another persons name by the name of Mark Thomas, and that their text number was 508-470-2933, for me to text him and tell him who I was and that I was ready to claim my money.

I told this person that was portraying my friend that I would have to talk to them later in regards to this, that I had someone coming to work on my place, that I would call them later.

This contacted me again a few hours later asking if I had contacted this agent yet and talked to him.

I told them no that I had workers there working on my place, and that besides, I was wanting to further investigate it.

They kept insisting that it was legit that they had received their money at their door step, before telling me about it.

I responded back to them later, telling them that I hoped that they hadn't cashed that check yet, that I done some research on it that it was a scam going on.

They kept insisting that it wasn't a scam that they wouldn't have told me this, that it was legit.

I told them that I didn't know who they was, and that I had talked to the real person that they was portraying and that they said that they did not send me that message, and that if they even tried to hack my account, that they would be prosecuted to the full extent of the law of portraying me, and that for them to not think that I won't do it, cause I am not playing around.

I thought that you all should know that someone is hacking into other peoples contact lists and portraying that person that is in their contacts, trying to scam people of this $200,000 dollars that they claim is coming from you all.

I received a message request from a distant family member last night. Asked how I was then if I heard from DHHS. I responded with a "?". This was the response:

"I'm talking about the Department of Health & Human Service, It is a new program to help and support those who are eligible. I received my money from them and I saw your name on there 2018 winning list when the delivery team brought me my winning money to me, I thought you would have gotten in contact with them also. Have you heard from them yet ?"

Immediately knew something was off. Contacted said family member and asked if account was hacked. They used their profile picture and name. It said it was from messenger not connected to Facebook, newly created account somewhere in the United States.

I just wanted to make you aware.

These people are getting better at what they are doing. They already had my banking info and social security number, told me that they were glad to see me return to college and that they knew that I had a tooth remove 2 days previous to talking to me.

Had me convinced that they were part of the United States government branch of the department of human services student loans and grants and that they wanted to give me 15489 dollars then told me after they ran a fake grant comfration gave me a referral number and then transferred me to the MSDHHS to my surprise they told me that I would have to pay the taxes in order to release the money to my bank account that they already had the info to.

Remind you that I did not give any info to them they already had it. I paid and lost my a** off. They called back the next day wanting more money too. Dude has a pair on him I’ll tell ya. I am just floored at how they had all my info.

Changed every thing called every you from FTC to fbI I mean everyone. Put the calls keep on coming. Blocked out all the numbers that I don’t know but they are still calling.

You would think a billion dollar business like a phone company could stop this crap from happening. I have had enough of this and planned to get rid of my phone and convince others to do the same.

I grew up in a world with out cell phones anyway. It would be real nice though if the phone company could reimburse me my 3100.00 dollars even though the bank doesn’t want to help me even though I thought I was given money to a ligitamt US company.

Thanks a lot America land of the freeloaders and the home of the brave ass foreigners how scammed me out my money.

I had someone approach me with this on Facebook - the scammers are everywhere!

Was introduced to the DHHS by a friend whose account was hacked! Thinking it was her received the info to contact them about winnings! Called him agent Ryan Wallace! Red flag!!!asked for info &processing fees! Still are trying to communicate with me! Just ignore it! I have all the dialog & info! To all SENIORS!They are preying on you BEWARE!!!!

I had a friend contact me through Facebook saying there's an agent Robert Smith Senior I have a $70,000 coming to me but I had to pay a processing fee of 550 of course.

I knew it was a fraud but he's been constantly calling me when can I send the money and I said I didn't have that much and he's the one how much do you have but at 2 in the morning I figured he must be pretty desperate

Hi, My wife received an invitation to become Facebook® "friends" with a certain "Scott Michael Kelvin" or derivatives thereof. (ex.: Michael Kelvin Scott, Kelvin Michael Scott, et al) on June 1, 2018.

This person wants her CA Drivers License picture and a "payment processing fee" of $2,000.00 for "Case file and mailing charges [UPS®, Fedex®, et al].

In return, the new "Federal Government Department of Health Human Services and Social Security Benefit New Year Program" will send, in cash or check form [your choice], $200,000.00.

This "invitation" was first proffered on Facebook® by a [imposing?] relative of my wife. Comments and questions were exchanged between my wife and her [poser?] relative via Facebook® and cellphone texting.

The promise was if she sends $2,000.00 "Case filing and shipping fees" she will receive $200,000.00 in 9 hours on her doorstep.

The choice for either cash or check can be made by the responder. Then, it goes on to say that the client or responder can choose his/her benefit amount....send $3,000.00 [in fees] and you will receive $300,000.00; send $4,500.00 [in fees] and you will receive $450,000.00. (If the "client" or "responder" asks for cash, bear in mind that amount of paper money will need to be in a satchel or two!....my comment)

is this a scam or what because I have never heard of this award plus I don't have any money to give to some scam artist.

today I was contacted by a williams johnson adekunie sr at phone number 1-254-892-4706 about my winnings of $100,000.

my name was listed on a form from the department of health and human services and in order to collect my prize I had to go and buy an I-Tunes card for $550.00 so I could receive a certificate and tracking number for ups to deliver my package to my house. the card is bought at walmart and they verify my certificate and tracking number

I received a message via facebook messenger from a friend, (found out later she had not sent message) asking if I had heard from Dept.Of health and human services financial program. That she had gotten money and saw my name on list of beneficiaries. And I should send a text to 262-404-7895 Agent James Bruce, and ask why I didn't receive anything. They have my name and phone number.

Scam active on facebook

I was sent a message, they used a friend telling me she won money and she saw my name on the winners list; they contacted me saying I won and I would have to pay 700.00 to have the cash delivered.

I was sent a message on messenger from a friend with this exact scam. I’m glad I researched it to realize it’s not real. Thanks for the post.