Is Citizens Service Management A legitimate Company? Re: Government grants?
142877
Unfortunately, i don't have an answer, but thought I would share that I too received this call and inquired through a governmental grant agency, but haven't received a response.  I cannot find "CSM" on the web, Yellow Pages or through the BBB.  They claim that they are listed with the BBB and have been in business for 5 years.  Also, that they're based out of Albany, NY and gave me a customer service number of 866-939-9542.  Other than that, I don't have much additional information.  Hopefully, someone can answer our question to great satisfaction.  Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts.
635584
Avoid companies that tell you that they will help you obtain a government grant. They are mostly scams that make money by getting you to pay them even though they cannot give you grants -- because none exists for your purpose\n\nYou can go to the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) http://www.cfda.gov and Grants.gov http://www.grants.gov - these are two FREE sites created by the federal government to provide transparency and information on grants. Browse through the listings and see if you can find any grant that would support your purposes.\n\nEven if you buy books on "how to get grants" or list that supposedly has information on grants -- all of them are mere rehash of what CFDA has, albeit packaged differently.\n\nNote though that these grants generally support non-profit organizations, intermediary lending institutions, and state and local governments. Most of the federal grants are given to specific target groups with specific requirements (e.g. minority business owners involved in transportation related contracts emanating from DOT - Grant#20.905 Disadvantaged Business Enterprises Short Term Lending Program. Individuals especially for personal purposes are not eligible for federal grants. \n\nGrants are also often given to non profit groups or organizations involved in training or other similar activities (grant 59.043 Women's Business Ownership Assistance that are given to those who will create women's business center that will train women entrepreneurs \n\nhttp://www.cfda.gov\nhttp://www.grants.gov\nhttp://gtionline.fdncenter.org\nhttp://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol66/grants.htm\nhttp://www.sba.gov/expanding/grants.html
392986
Well any company that asks for money for the privilege of working for them, raises some serious fraudulent questions to me. \n\nJust saw their site..i would advise NOT to do it. Their site isn't very well done really either.
485684
check with the better business bureau to see if any complaints have been launched. \n\nDon't give money, unless you are sure they are legit. \n\nask to see references from other "clients".\n\nSee their location, and ask for background information of the company.\n\ngood luck.
102210
It's def legal.  The store that you are sent to subscribes to the mystery shopping service.  It's a tool they use to make sure that their employees are doing the right things.  That's why they make you write a paragraph of detailed experiences or do a survey.  It is kind of wierd, but for everything you do or purchase you are reimbursed for.  If you want to make sure the company is legit, I'd visit the Better Business Bureau's website.
55561
They are legitimate.  But I can see that they are a satellite ISP provider.  Use this only if there are no DSL or Cable companies in your area as satellite services (while faster than dial-up are slower than DSL or cable) especially with the value pack, Verizon DSL gets you 768kbps download and 128kpbs upload which is slightly faster than the value pack with WildBlue and Verizon is also much cheaper ($15 per month vs. $50 per month with WildBlue).  So check to see what other services are in your area before you jump on board with a satellite ISP, they tend to be overpriced for the services they provide.  But if you live in a small or out of the way town then you may not have a choice.\n\nCheck some other services below as well (for DSL and Cable).
295393
I checked the major business databases and they are not listed.\n\nIf this is some "employment opportunity," then it is definitely a scam.\n\nI'd definitely stay away.
389521
Actually, this is legit. The Gov't requires every single person within the borders to be counted every ten years, but in addition to this, there is a census every year that goes to a small and random sampling of people to get info on race, kids, etc, to make sure that the right amount of gov't aids and services are going to the right areas. \n\nI got one and thought it was a scam, so I trashed it...then the census lady showed up and demanded to come in, but I wouldn't let her, and she threatened me. I got her business card and told her to get the hell off my property. I called her office and ratted her out...and it turns out it was all legit...but I did get her in trouble. They have the right by law to collect this data, but they don't have the right to harrass you...but if you don't send it in soon, there might be someone knocking on your door too.
345006
legitimate business like any other
395784
You don't have to pay anyone to get government grant information. You can go to the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) http://www.cfda.gov and Grants.gov http://www.grants.gov - these are two sites created by the federal government to provide transparency and information on grants. Browse through the listings and see if you can find any grant that would support a for-profit venture.\n\nEven if you buy books on "how to get grants" or list that supposedly has information on grants -- all of them are mere rehash of what CFDA has, albeit packaged differently. But still the info is the same - hardly any grants for starting a for profit business.\n\nEven SBA does NOT give out grants. From the SBA website http://www.sba.gov/expanding/grants.html... \n\n"The U.S. Small Business Administration does not offer grants to start or expand small businesses, although it does offer a wide variety of loan programs. (See http://www.sba.gov/financing for more information) While SBA does offer some grant programs, these are generally designed to expand and enhance organizations that provide small business management, technical, or financial assistance. These grants generally support non-profit organizations, intermediary lending institutions, and state and local governments."\n\nMost of the federal grants are given to specific target groups with specific requirements (e.g. minority business owners involved in transportation related contracts emanating from DOT - Grant#20.905 Disadvantaged Business Enterprises Short Term Lending Program \n\nGrants are also often given to non profit groups or organizations involved in training or other similar activities (grant 59.043 Women's Business Ownership Assistance that are given to those who will create women's business center that will train women entrepreneurs \n\nFor private grants, you may want to check the Foundation Center's Foundation Grants for Individuals Online. It's a subscription based website ($9.95 per month) but their opening blurb only says that the database is ideal for "students, artists, academic researchers, libraries and financial aid offices." Entrepreneurs are apparently not one of them, so I take it they also don't have listings of private foundations who give grants to would-be entrepreneurs.
104151
well i watched a clip on msn ,that actually tells u that all those gifts they offer are legitimate and that u will get them . but a really high price. u have to fill a bunch of information ,information that they then sell to other companys and thats how they afford theyr gifts. plus we all know nothing is free in this world.
465616
DEFINITELY A SCAM.\n\nIt is hard to find grants to start a business or for personal purposes. Government is simply not handing out money to anyone because it feels like it. Unlike the myths that some perpetuate, federal government and even private foundations hardly give grant money for a for-profit business or for personal purposes. I hope that you did not give your bank details.\n\nAlso, government grant information is FREE. You can go to the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) http://www.cfda.gov and Grants.gov http://www.grants.gov - these are two sites created by the federal government to provide transparency and information on grants. Browse through the listings and see if you can find any grant that would support a for-profit venture.\n\nEven if you buy books on "how to get grants" or list that supposedly has information on grants -- all of them are mere rehash of what CFDA has, albeit packaged differently. But still the info is the same - hardly any grants for starting a for profit business.\n\nMost of the federal grants are given to specific target groups with specific requirements (e.g. minority business owners involved in transportation related contracts emanating from DOT - Grant#20.905 Disadvantaged Business Enterprises Short Term Lending Program \n\nGrants are also often given to non profit groups or organizations involved in training or other similar activities (grant 59.043 Women's Business Ownership Assistance that are given to those who will create women's business center that will train women entrepreneurs \n\nFor private grants, you may want to check the Foundation Center's Foundation Grants for Individuals Online. It's a subscription based website ($9.95 per month) but their opening blurb only says that the database is ideal for "students, artists, academic researchers, libraries and financial aid offices." Entrepreneurs are apparently not one of them, so I take it they also don't have listings of private foundations who give grants to would-be entrepreneurs.
652876
I have received grants on behalf of the non profits that I worked for, the largest award I got was to create a database on social science research.  The grant awards I got was not for my personal use but always for a project.\n\nYou can go to the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) http://www.cfda.gov and Grants.gov http://www.grants.gov - these are two sites created by the federal government to provide transparency and information on grants. Browse through the listings and see if you can find any grant that would support your purposes.\n\nEven if you buy books on "how to get grants" or list that supposedly has information on grants -- all of them are mere rehash of what CFDA has, albeit packaged differently.\n\nNote though that these grants generally support non-profit organizations, intermediary lending institutions, and state and local governments. Most of the federal grants are given to specific target groups with specific requirements (e.g. minority business owners involved in transportation related contracts emanating from DOT - Grant#20.905 Disadvantaged Business Enterprises Short Term Lending Program. Individuals especially for personal purposes are not eligible for federal grants. \n\nGrants are also often given to non profit groups or organizations involved in training or other similar activities (grant 59.043 Women's Business Ownership Assistance that are given to those who will create women's business center that will train women entrepreneurs \n\nhttp://www.cfda.gov\nhttp://www.grants.gov\nhttp://gtionline.fdncenter.org\nhttp://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol66/grants.htm\nhttp://www.sba.gov/expanding/grants.html
501758
This company does not exist.It is a scam. Do not respond to them. Do not send them any personal details or cash. Enter the "Sarl Atoll" into your search engine. I was lucky and checked first - others did not.\n\n18/05/06: I have been checking this company all week. It is strange that now suddenly there is a website for this company - claiming that they promote technology for websites for companies. I would still remain very cautious. The address on this site is identical to the scam email I received.
261232
If you really think that government is simply giving away money for free - "forgiveable" grants - to individuals to spend as they wish, think again. Grants are given to achieve a specific purpose -- e.g. train potential entrepreneurs, help a minority business owner fix transportation problems. In fact, when you apply for a grant, you need to prove that you will fulfill the objectives set forth in the grant description.\n\nIf you are also thinking of finding grants to start a business, federal government and even private foundations hardly give grant money for a for-profit business.\n\nNonetheless, you can go to the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) http://www.cfda.gov and Grants.gov http://www.grants.gov - these are two sites created by the federal government to provide transparency and information on grants. Browse through the listings and see if you can find any grant that would support a for-profit venture.\n\nEven if you buy books on "how to get grants" or list that supposedly has information on grants -- all of them are mere rehash of what CFDA has, albeit packaged differently. But still the info is the same - hardly any grants for starting a for profit business.\n\nEven SBA does NOT give out grants. From the SBA website http://www.sba.gov/expanding/grants.html \n\n"The U.S. Small Business Administration does not offer grants to start or expand small businesses, although it does offer a wide variety of loan programs. (See http://www.sba.gov/financing for more information) While SBA does offer some grant programs, these are generally designed to expand and enhance organizations that provide small business management, technical, or financial assistance. These grants generally support non-profit organizations, intermediary lending institutions, and state and local governments."\n\nMost of the federal grants are given to specific target groups with specific requirements (e.g. minority business owners involved in transportation related contracts emanating from DOT - Grant#20.905 Disadvantaged Business Enterprises Short Term Lending Program \n\nGrants are also often given to non profit groups or organizations involved in training or other similar activities (grant 59.043 Women's Business Ownership Assistance that are given to those who will create women's business center that will train women entrepreneurs \n\nFor private grants, you may want to check the Foundation Center's Foundation Grants for Individuals Online. It's a subscription based website ($9.95 per month) but their opening blurb only says that the database is ideal for "students, artists, academic researchers, libraries and financial aid offices." Entrepreneurs are apparently not one of them, so I take it they also don't have listings of private foundations who give grants to would-be entrepreneurs.
529976
Some of those "secret shopper" things are legitimate, just don't pay to join a service.  It basically pays you to do stuff you might be doing anyway, like going to a bank or gas station.  You are then asked questions and have to submit a report.
570977
I have gotten federal grants for the non profits that I worked with, as well as from some private foundations. The biggest award I got for the organizations that I worked for was $500,000. But no, these grants were for the organization, not for my personal purposes. We did not have to pay it back, but there are required deliverables on a set schedule and reports on the progress of the project are required. \n\nThe government is NOT in the business of giving away free money for the sake of giving away money. Grants are free, but it means OBLIGATION. You will be obligated to do as the grant sets out to do. Grants have objectives, and your purpose must fit the objective of the grant.\n\nFor one, you have to write the grant application and the grant application is not a simple document - you have to explain how your purpose for applying for the grant fits well with the objectives set out by the grant.\n\nThere there is a stringent review process through a committee. You will compete with other applicants for the grant money, and this grant review committee will evaluate the merits of each proposal. Only those that they feel exemplifies the objective of the grant will be approved.\n\nYou can go to the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) http://www.cfda.gov and Grants.gov http://www.grants.gov - these are two sites created by the federal government to provide transparency and information on grants. Browse through the listings and see if you can find any grant that would support your purposes.\n\nEven if you buy books on "how to get grants" or list that supposedly has information on grants -- all of them are mere rehash of what CFDA has, albeit packaged differently.\n\nNote though that these grants generally support non-profit organizations, intermediary lending institutions, and state and local governments. Most of the federal grants are given to specific target groups with specific requirements (e.g. minority business owners involved in transportation related contracts emanating from DOT - Grant#20.905 Disadvantaged Business Enterprises Short Term Lending Program. Individuals especially for personal purposes are not eligible for federal grants. \n\nGrants are also often given to non profit groups or organizations involved in training or other similar activities (grant 59.043 Women's Business Ownership Assistance that are given to those who will create women's business center that will train women entrepreneurs \n\nhttp://www.cfda.gov\nhttp://www.grants.gov\nhttp://gtionline.fdncenter.org\nhttp://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol66/grants.htm\nhttp://www.sba.gov/expanding/grants.html