Woman reports telephone scam

AUSTINTOWN -- A 20-year-old township woman was tricked into giving her bank account information to someone over the phone. The person said he was with a company called Advantage America Benefits.
The woman told police Wednesday that she was notified by her bank regarding two withdrawals of $299.95 and $49.95 from her bank account. She said she never gave permission for the transactions.
She had given her account number and routing number to the man, who said the company could get her grants, said Austintown Detective Sgt. Frank Tomasino.
A company called Advantage America Benefits is pitching government grant information guides, saying they can help people get grants for school, businesses and other reasons.
Tomasino had a copy of a letter the company sends out. Its address in Winter Park, Fla., is to an empty suite, he said.
Tomasino said two other people complained to the department Wednesday about callers offering help with getting grants.
He said people should never give out personal and financial information over the telephone.
"I don't trust anybody," he said.