I just placed a comment a moment ago but I have a follow up question. Should I be worried if I confirmed my address and phone number with Kensington plus let them know that I have both savings and checking accounts. I DID NOT give them the names of my banks, NOR any account info., but just the fact that I do have both a savings and a checking account. Should I be worried? Should I close out any of my accounts?

Bill Responds:

Since you did not give out the account information as well your social security information, you're probably ok. However, talk to your bank and see if they recommend closing the accounts or putting some type of fraud alert on your accounts. Additionally, keep a close eye on your credit report, as well as any credit card bills to ensure that there are no unauthorized charges.

I recently received one of their post cards and stupidly I called them. Luckily, I didn't give my social security number, but I did give my drivers license #. They also know the name of my bank and that I have a checking and savings account, though I didn't give them any account info. Since they have this info along with my name and phone number, should I be worried? Is there anything I should do?

I received a similar card in the mail and gave them my address and phone number, as well as driver's license #. They said the fee would be $299.97 but then guaranteed if I got less than $5,000 then they refund my money less than $29.99 for shipping. Are they a legal company or are they ripping people off?

Bill responds:

Here's what I can tell you: a number of people have posted on this site and contacted me about Kensington. Not one has admitted getting money. Not one person has contacted me and said "why are you attacking Kensington, they have helped me...." In addition, no one has contacted me from Kensington to address any of the consumer comments and complaints on the site. For now, I would let those facts guide your judgment.

hi i just called the Kensington Assistance Agency and gave them my full information, my bank account, ssn, routine # on check and everything they wanted? after i talked to them, i went online and saw that this whole thing if frued. What should i Do about this?

I also recieved one of the green postcards and called the Attorney General in New York about it. Due to the fact that they haven't received any complaints about them yet, there was little they could do. I also called the Attorney General in Arizona where the company so called (headquarters) is located to no avail. This practice that they are doing is called fishing. I'm still trying to find out how they have my number. It's good to know that people are aware that this seems fishy and peep the game. Thanks Mr.Mcleod.

I just received a green postcard from Kensington Assistance Agency..stating EXACTLY what has been mentioned above. They are NOT listed in any of the business directories! (hoover or any of them)You should never pay for what can be obtained "free" from the government. It goes back to economics people..there is NO such thing as a FREE lunch! DO NOT GO FOR THIS SCAM!

I also got a card from this so called assistance agency and when they asked to give out account numbers i refused and asked why.. then is when i got the 299.97 fee sprung on me and I hung up the phone.. Why do companies do this to people and why do they get away with this stuff? And they say it is a free government loan that u don't pay back but yet they want a fee.. Free is free to me and the government should not let this to continue..

I also fell for this company's scams. They did not ask for my Soc. Security number or driver license number, but they did ask for my bank and bank account number.

As gulable as I am, I gave it to them. After hanging up the phone, I had a strange feeling so I went on the internet to see how real it was only to pull up scam sites and how this company was nothing but a rip off. They haven't taken any money yet, but I only had a couple dollars in my account, but my son's social security got in that account and I had to run around like a chicken with my head cut off to get a new account and change everything with social security.

I just really want to know if they pull out only that $300 or do they empty the whole account? Also, I changed my account number with the same bank, should I change banks to incase they somehow get that account number too?

I am so glad I googled Kensington and saw the comments on your site.

I also received a post card from the Kennsington Assistance Agency. I thought there must be a catch, so I looked on the internet and found this web site. Thank you for the information about the fee. If I had that kind of money what would I need a grant for?
Diana Knight, St.Louis, MO.

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience. I did receive the card, and as my car engine blew out, needing repair, and I am disabled, on SSI, I was excited to see hope. Yet, when I called, I got a "quick busy" signal-indicating the phone did not work. That is how I came to this site, as I was desperate to locate them, and found this valuable information. If the phones don't work, perhaps you have been successful in ceasing their tricky activities. I do hope so, for all of the people out there who don't decide to look them up on the internet. Thanks again!
Rachel Capece
Rockaway Borough, NJ

This company sent my 17 year old daughter the same post card. Being as my daughter and I had been looking into goverment grants to help her with college she called them and gave them my infromation. I guess I will never get my money back, or get the grant? People should have to pay for this type of theft. I am heart broken, my daughter is a wonderful person, and very kind and now she is even smarted to peoples tricks and well I am just sad that good people have to endure this from others. Thank you, Barb

I too have fallen for this green postcard. Money has been taken out of my checking account and I still have not received any merchandise or any phone calls or any other type of feed back. I called their new phone #:
1(866)889-1903 several times regarding the status of my information that is suppose to be sent to be and I have been hung up on, I've been told to wait 15-20 more days (This transaction from my checking account on June 23, 2006) and I still have not received nor have I heard anything.

I did the same thing as everyone else has given all my information, but they haven't taken any money out. How should I handle this so they don't take the money out? Can I call them and have this cancelled? Are they going to do something with my SSN#? Please help!

I received a card from Kensington Assistance Agency and like a fool gave them my $299.00 and was told that my grant money will be available in August. Well it is August and I called there office today and found out that they have skip town and that there phone has been disconnected.

Now what type of agency would do something like this to people. It is unfortunate that we have so many scam artist that are lurking in muddy water and preying on innocent folks.

I guess that is what consumers get when they don't research a company properly. I was looking forward to this grant to pay off my school loan.

I am truly hurt and upset that I fell for this. If the people of Kennsington are reading this, shame on you. For what a man sows, so shall he reap. Rest assured that prayer changes things and what was done to all of the innocent people will be justified one day.

I do hope that they burn in hell when the law catches up to them.

Thanks
Monica

I have recievd the green postcard and gave them my info and money. I have already recieved the first questionaire packet and sent it back. I am getting the benefits package hopefully this month. My friend also did this gave her info paid the money and she has recieved the questionaire packet and the benefits packet she is now waiting for whats next. So not yet do I think it was a scam for me or my friend. We at least have gotten info from them. And I have talked to them today (Aug 11) and they were very nice and told me they had recieved my packet and the other packet will be sent to me at at the end of august. So so far so good for me and my friend it is just a very long process. I would not do it if you need your money right away. But i think it is going fine for me. thanks lindsay

Bill Responds: Lindsay, I have no reason to doubt you - but honestly, you're in the minority of people who have posted on this site, and none of the people who have called me from all over the country have shared any experience that matches yours. If you have a number that you called and got a live person, please share it here so others can be informed.

Thanks!

I got as far as Lindsay, got the card, paid the money, got my 15 pg booklet, filled in the info and sent it back, that was in May. I have yet to hear back from them, the website is down, as is their phone. Okay, so it is a known fact that they are a fraud. Is there anything that is being done for us naive individuals who fell for it, a class action law-suit or something?

I received two of these post cards. I decided to call the toll free number that they have on the card. it ever rang. I called 411 to make sure they exist. There wasn't a listing. Something needs to be done about people who's sending false information to people. And how are they getting addresses and correct names?