National Financial Advisors, aka NFA Group, aka NAFINA preys on business owners in troubled times with the promise of grants that do not have to be repaid. They operate out of 1180 Center point Dr, Suite 200, Henderson Nevada 89014 and their telemarketing id tel no is 888 800 7951.
The telemarketers insist that checks will be picked up and charged to their fedex account number (so U.S. mail fraud is not involved) and pressure business owners that they have 72 hours to respond and pre-qualify for $100,000; $150,000 up to $700,000 in free grants, written by their staff of doctorate grant writers.
NFA Group moves offices every 6 months so BBB reports cannot be filed and executed, showing zero BBB complaints of the firm.
DO NOT send your hard earned money to them. They ask for 2 photo id’s, 12 months bank statements which smacks of an identity theft ring in addition to grant scamming.
Beware. Also check out 800 unknown to see list of amany that have lost between $1995 – $5,000.
This post was submitted by Truth.
July 6th, 2009 at 10:45 pm
I believe I have become a victom. I sent them a post dated check for
$2500.00. I told them to call me on July 1, 2009 to find out if there
were funds in the account. I never received a call.
They told me that I got awarded $204,000 with to pay the balance of
the fees around $7500.00 when I got the first $100,000 of the grant
money.
I talked to a Robert Shipiro this morning, he returned my call about
questions on my check, and told me it was deposited on July 1. He also
said he has a mass legal team that writing a bad check in Nevada is a
felony. I told him taking a post dated check is also illegal, and he
said not in Nevada. He also told me he had 300 employees.
I don’t know if any of this is true, but all I know that I am in
trouble, I don’t have any money to loose.
Please help on what to do. Who should I call?
Thanks,
James
September 11th, 2009 at 4:24 pm
I sent NAFINA a check for $2,995.00 in July, 2009. They told me I had to send in two years of tax returns. I did. I also filled out a detailed Business Plan Questionaire that they were going to perfect and return to me in 30 days. Today is 30 days and I haven’t heard from them. I just thought I would go online and get their number to call and see when it would be ready. While searching for their number in Vegas I ran across bustathief.com. I realize now that they are not going to call me now or ever. I did check with the BBB in their town and found nothing negative about their company.
They promised me up to $276,000.00 in free grant money. Funny thing is they probably only get money from those who need it the most.
Can anyone tell us what to do now? Thanks………Danny
September 14th, 2009 at 2:16 pm
Oh my gosh! My husband told me about this scam, as we were caught up in it as well. I can’t believe the deceitful people out there who pry on those really in need and struggling. My husband and I even went by their office in Henderson to check it out, and sure as heck they did have a location. But it sounds like they move on from place to place so the BBB can’t catch up with them. I am BUMMED! As I’m sure you all were as well. Did you get a reply from anyone about your questions? I hope so, and if so could you pass that information on our way. Thank you.
Victoria Halphen
September 19th, 2009 at 8:26 pm
I sent these people $1500 when I was promised $200K and would only have to pay the other $6k after i received the first $100K. I also got calls from another company that said they workd with NFA and took over stuff that NFA could process. They wanted $2500 and said that I already had been awarded $300K. I told them I wanted to talk to NFA to make sure the other company wasn’t a scam. They would not call me back and every time i called they didn’t answer. I got online so i could get an email address to try and thats when I found this bustatheif site! I am so pissed, I didn’t have that money to spend. I was hoping this grant would help me save my business.
Bummed in Texas
Kristy
September 24th, 2009 at 10:32 am
I sent them $2500 in June. I too received the packet and sent them all the requested information. They were returning my calls and answering questions and even requested all the necessary info to set up my website up until August 1st. I was suppose to have a website and business plan by August 15th. I have been calling and emailing to no avail. I have called and emailed someone everyday for the last week, with no response. I have the cell phone number of the young lady who signed me up and the sad thing about that is she went to school with my kids years ago, and now she won’t respond either. I researched all the companies and names that they have posted as references. The business’s exist, the people do not. One of the business’s is not even in the US. I even researched the name of the supposed president of NFA and can’t find anything that says he actually is real outside of NFA. So now I am sure I have been scammed, and I am angry. I have checked on different consumer rights websites and I have decided that I will do everything in my power to bring these people down. My husband and I are going to talk to and report to anyone who will listen. I am upset about the money, because we had lots of hopes in this like everyone else, and it is going to hurt us allot. But I hate seeing people like this get away with this crap. Today I demanded a refund, tomorrow I will send a collector to there office. I will keep you posted.
October 1st, 2009 at 1:35 am
If you are so adamant about this company, how about complaining to someone other than on the internet. If you want to help me shut these scam artists down, please call the Nevada Attorney Generals’ office and put in a complaint. I am the only one so far to go as far as the Attorney Generals Consumer Protection Agency informed me that with only one complaint they can’t go any farther. Get the word out on your website for anyone who has been scammed by National Financial Advisors. Call Isabella at 702-486-3221. Also, you can contact the Business Licensing officers in Henderson, Nevada and make a complaint. That number is 702-267-1724. As of today their doors are still open, but if enough of us contact them, we can get their doors shut TOMORROW! HELP ME ACCOMPLISH THIS TASK. I am going to Henderson tomorrow to the Licensing Bureau and hope to be there when they take them down! Beware, they also changed their name to National Business Network since were closing in on them!
October 13th, 2009 at 12:05 pm
I sent them $2995.00 in April 09. now 6 months later nothing. I am too upset to get into detail right now but if there is something i can do to get my money back if not take this company down – i need to know thanks
October 14th, 2009 at 2:03 pm
OMG! My friend was scammed by these people. She was too ashamed to talk about it and I told her to file a complaint. I hope she took my word and did it. Thanks to BettyB I gave her the information that you posted.
October 14th, 2009 at 3:59 pm
Have anyone heard of u.s. filing services that work with NFA? I to have been scam by them. But it stops here, on my way there in person. Update u guys later.
October 21st, 2009 at 6:25 am
I am curious to know if ‘lastofmymoney’ found anything out when paying a visit to NFA crooks? Please update…we’ve been scammed and are in FL. Would love to be able to show up on their doorstep as well. Thanks
October 21st, 2009 at 2:16 pm
i have heard of us filing services and wanted $6600 for some supplemental documents. what is going ?
October 23rd, 2009 at 7:31 am
I am very concerned after reading this. My company has just sent US Filing Services $6900.00 for doc fee’s for a loan of over $300,000.00. First I was contacted by National Financial Services filled out several documents then US Filling Services called stating they are the company affilliated with NFA and would handle my grant of such a large amount. Over several weeks of phone calls and faxes back and forth I have now send them a total of $6900.00. I am worndering what the out come was for showing up in person for (lastofmymoney)??? I too am thinking of getting on a plane to NV and handeling this in person aswell. Please respond with any information. Thank you posting.
October 28th, 2009 at 11:05 am
I have just been contacted by US filing services and this is after not hearing anything from NFA for over two months. I chewed the guy out (Phil Cantrell) and he was full of excuses and explanations. Said I only had to pay another $5400 to have my final docs filed with the IRS, oh but I don’t have to use their servicews if I want my grant in small increments. I have googled all the numbers given me and both Phil Cantrell and Matthew Harrison (who are both actors not affiliated with NFA) and even googled the so called references they have posted on their website. The references are fake. So, no they are getting nothing form me, $2500 was already a blow to us. If any of it was real, where is my website I was promised over 2 months ago, where is the business plan I was suppose to review? If you do go to NV please let all of us know the outcome, meanwhile I have made a complaint to the BBB and will call the numbers posted by Betty.
October 30th, 2009 at 11:21 am
I sent 7800.00 to US Filings over 60 days ago have heard nothing.
Was told that they found funding for over 100,000 but hury paper work needed to be to IRS in a few days.
This is making me sick!
How about a class action against all involved?
Make restitution or face crimal charges.
November 3rd, 2009 at 2:42 pm
I am very interested in a class action against these people it sounds like this is happening on a daily basis. My story is as follows
June 13th sent nfa a check for $3000.00 with the promise of up to 300k in grant money if I did not recieve any grant money they would apply again next year free of charge. for this they would apply to over 3,000 foundations who give money to small women owned businesses and the grant opportunity look very promising for me. I had e-mail paula white on the status of my grant and she e-mail me back stated i would recieve a e-mail when they set up my website. i recieved that e-mail and could not access the website they set up for my company. I was set up with an account manager where any questions I could call however no one was ever at that extension. I did recieve a few phone calls along the way stating they where working hard on my grant. I was relentless and kept calling on a regular basis and was assured that they where working hard. on july 24th I recieved a call from Us filing services stating that NFA had found me 269k and to send them 5,800.00 to file supporting documents with the IRS I then called National financial advisors and ask about US filing services they told me that any amount that is over 100k they have them do the paper work because the IRS does not question there work and they have a very good reputation with the IRS. I waited to here from them they told me it takes about 4 weeks to get the paper work in and to call them if I did not here from them by aug 4th, to set up a funding director they would explain to me how I was to set up a checking account for these funds and how I was to appropriate the funds, sounds good to me up to this point right I called they set me up with Rick Adams ext 308 he was assigned to my case. I called rick adams for a couple weeks when I did not recieve a call from this funding director. I was called on sept 11th and told to sit by the phone there funding director was going to call me at 2:00 pm and I would be instructed how to deposit the funds and how to set up this account. Well sept 25th came and went and no call I started calling them on a regular basis. and recieved a message on there answering machine that someone would get back to me within 24 hours that never happened after daily calls to this outfit the extension 308 was no longer valid. Still calling daily. I filed my compliant with the BBB and recieves a call from a JIm braza @ 702-479-6896 EXT 582 with no real results or answers to my questions. as to why they scamed another $5,800.00 out of me to I was told to called us filing services and of course just get another answering machine that will return my call cause it is very imporatant to then. (ha) the numbers 1-888-800-7951 is nolonger in service as of today also 1-888-800-7955 is also no longer service imagine that. If we are able to find an attorney that would file a class action suit against these people Im in anyone may e-mail me about this tfppattie@alliancecom.net In closing I would like to get this guys yacht and million dollar home. while I struggle everyday to make ends meet.
Pat
November 6th, 2009 at 1:07 pm
I too was taken by this company. But I have to step back and think – they never “guaranteed” any money. It was a risk. They built my website, they helped me to write then finished up my business plan. At the end of one year – I received a high pressured call from US Filings to pay another $6500.00 to file doc’s with IRS for imminent grant funds blah blah. It was very high pressured – I did not pay – it didn’t set well.
Now I am looking to find the web developers who developed my website -I cannot get into it without certain information from the developer. If you web developers are out there, please contact me, I am under the impression you were separate from NFA.
November 6th, 2009 at 2:10 pm
I called US Filings – they are still around… I just filed complaints with Federal Trade Commission, Nevada Attorney Generals Office and Better Business Bureau. I’ll be following up with the three credit reporting agencies. And anyone else I can think of. These people have mine and my husbands personal information – who knows what will happen, down the line they may try to steal our identities.
I suggest you all do the same. At this point, I don’t know if there is any finacial recourse and am not hopeful about getting my money back, but I sure want to protect further personal theft.
November 10th, 2009 at 10:07 am
Kb
I was aware that no grant is guarenteed and did not get my hopes up until US fillings called and stated that NFA had found the grant money. That to me is an outright lie to get the rest of the money. they no more found me 269k than the man on the moon and will not return phone calls, and to set up an appointment with a funding director is the biggest bunch of crap I have ever heard. I literally thought they had found the money. I guess that is where my problem lies a check for $5800.00 and an appointment to recieve a funding director makes it sound like I am to recieve the funds. My persistant phone calls caused them to lie about it all. I cannot find US filling services anywhere I have a Feeling that they are owned and operated by the same company, but i am sure that only an attorney will be able to find this information out.
Pat
November 11th, 2009 at 4:05 pm
As of November of 2009, the successor company to National Financial Advisors can be reached as follows:
National Business Network
400 North Stephanie Street
Henderson, NV 89014
(702)479-6896
If you are unsuccessful at reaching anyone at their new address and contact number, please feel free to lodge a complaint with the Nevada Attorney Bureau of Consumer Protection.
Their contawebsite is as follows: http://ag.state.nv.us/org/bcp/bcp.htm
and telephone number is 702-486-321; contact Isabella.
Consumer Protection
Under the direction of the Consumer Advocate, the Bureau of Consumer Protection (BCP) works to protect Nevada consumers and legitimate businesses from various deceptive (fraudulent) business practices. We protect consumers through the following ways:
• BCP enforces various consumer protection statutes by filing lawsuits on behalf of the State of Nevada and the public good. We cannot represent individual consumers. Many of our legal actions are reflected in the Newsroom section contains information on recent legal actions.
• BCP strives to educate consumers through widespread awareness of consumer rights and issues. This web site provides helpful information on many important topics such as identity theft, preventing telemarketing abuses (”do not call”), automobile sales, and what consumer scams to avoid. We welcome and encourage you to review our Consumer Education section.
BCP reviews allegations of deceptive trade. Such information may form the basis for an investigation into a company’s business practices. Some of these investigations may also result in a legal action, not on behalf of individual complainants, but to enforce Nevada’s consumer protection laws. While we would like to act on every violation we are aware of, limitations of law, time and staff require us to focus our legal action on those cases that indicate a pattern of fraudulent activity that substantially affects the public interest within our jurisdiction. Please click here for Important Information Concerning the Nevada Consumer Affairs Division
• BCP also advocates the consumer’s voice in complex utility cases involving the rates and services of privately-owned utility (telephone, electric, and natural gas) companies before the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada and similar government agencies.
To learn more about the sections that comprise the Bureau of Consumer Protection and the laws these units enforce, visit our Deceptive Trade, Antitrust, and Utilities pages.
November 12th, 2009 at 12:21 pm
Hi Angel.,
How are you,
Re: Grant Fraud; National Financial Advisors.
Yes I paid $2250.00 early part of the year April. I’ve spoken with a Rick Adams ext 308, and Matt Harrioson.. Mr. Adams is no longer with the company, and Matt Harrison will no longer return my calls. I was promised in writing a grant of $125,000.00. which I never received. I was also given a call from a U.S. Filings to pay an additional $5500.00 and if I didn’t have the funds the same day before 5:00pm that my chances of getting a grant would be zero to none..
I notice in your comments above to contact the Consumer Protection Act (702)486-321 Not sure what the last digit is, it’s not indicated in your comments..
Thanks for the information..
Mark
November 13th, 2009 at 9:55 am
Someone please help, sent nfa $2250.00 no grant since I applied in April of this year..