August 26, 2010

Important Notice on Email Scams

For more information, send email to info@gatesfoundation.org.

Several scam emails and websites claiming to be from or associated with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation are currently circulating on the Internet in a number of different languages. They often include our logo, photos, links, or other information taken directly from our official website, located at www.gatesfoundation.org. The foundation makes every effort to stop such scams, but unfortunately, a number of them still get through. The foundation does not solicit donations or request any type of administrative or handling charges for its grant applications. If you get a request that appears to be from the foundation for any type of payment, or if you receive an email or communication seemingly from the foundation that you feel is suspicious, please disregard that communication and contact us at info@gatesfoundation.org.

Several of these scams are fairly sophisticated. Recently, several legitimate websites posted a request for the submission of grant applications to a Ms. Agnes Hienz at secretariat@bill-melindagatesfoundation.org. This is not an authorized foundation email address. Applicants are asked to provide a detailed grant application and comprehensive financial information about their organization. Prior to receiving their grant award, applicants are also asked to make a $2,500 payment to cover the administrative and handling fees for the grant award. These emails, websites, and accompanying materials and claims are in no way associated with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Bill Gates, or any foundation employees.

Some scams direct users to an infected website or claim the recipient has won a lottery or other prize and request detailed personal information or a payment of some kind in order to receive the winnings. Others claim the recipient has been invited to a conference or summit purportedly hosted by the foundation and request the submission of a registration fee or other expenses to attend. Other scams include web sites that promise large returns on investments and claim a portion of returns will be donated to the foundation.

The following are tips to help you avoid email scams:

Be suspicious of unsolicited emails that ask for personal or financial information.
Avoid filling out forms in email messages.
Log on to official websites instead of clicking on links embedded in an email.
Contact the organization that is supposedly sending the email to verify if it is genuine.
Be wary if you receive an email saying you won a lottery or have been awarded a grant.
Be cautious if you are asked to wire money.

For more information about the Federal Trade Commission's efforts against these kinds of fraud, please visit http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/menus/consumer/tech/scams.shtm. You can also email your inquiries about scam email, letters, and phone calls to info@gatesfoundation.org.

Updated August 26, 2010

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Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing countries, it focuses on improving people’s health and giving them the chance to lift themselves out of hunger and extreme poverty. In the United States, it seeks to ensure that all people—especially those with the fewest resources—have access to the opportunities they need to succeed in school and life. Based in Seattle, Washington, the foundation is led by CEO Jeff Raikes and Co-chair William H. Gates Sr., under the direction of Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett.