To tell the council I've nothing to do with this?

[Indulgingmum]

Ok trying not to drop feed.

I met a lady through her business and my hobby. We clicked and made friends. I have a background in the area and I agreed to help her, keep her on track as she's a bit scatter brained.

This was nothing official, I just said I'd help complete forms and generally be on hand to help if needed. I gave a lot of my time initially. This was in August 2022.

A family member became very very ill on December that year and I had to spend a lot of time with them. I couldn't be there for the other person and she was pissed off so she didn't contact me. When the family member died I heard nothing from her. So I continued my life with out her in it.

She contacted me in June recently to ask advice on a piece of of machinery she was buying and I gave a short reply as I didn't want to be rude.

Today I received a call from a grant arm of our local council. It was a lady asking why I hadn't provided a progress report on the grant we received and could I spare 10 mins to discuss it.

I knew nothing about it. Like nothing. She said she had been trying
To contact this other person and when they couldn't get her they tried me as I was the second name on the list.

I honestly don't know what they are talking about. I told her that and said I'd contact this person and see what's happening.

I messaged her with

Hi, I've just had a phone call fromsomeone in the xxxxxxxxx they were chasing me for a progress report but I know nothing about it. Could you contact them please? Thanks.

Her reply was

I can indeed! I don't know why they didn't contact me!

Then an emoji!

What?? How do I even respond to this. I want to call the council and tell them
I know nothing about it and to wipe my name!!!!

Oh that's dodgy AF. I would definitely make it clear to the council she has fraudulently used your details on the claim.

I want to call the council and tell them I know nothing about it and to wipe my name!!!!

I'd be putting it in writing, recorded delivery, rather than calling - but obviously yes, you should tell them that your name has been added without your knowledge or consent and this is nothing to do with you.

Ok. I'm just wondering how to get this council persons details to call them back. Should I talk to the other girl first?

There will be a fraud hotline and/or fraud investigation team you can report to.

I’d send a general email to the reception of your council office.

Please send on to person/s in the relevant department for grants for such and such type items. I was recently contacted regarding a grant that so and so had been given and my details appeared to be linked on this.

At no point have I ever signed or was even aware of such grants till this phone call. I have nothing to do with said item so and so has received money for. Please can you confirm that my details are fully removed from such and such case.

@Indulgingmum confused as to why you would be providing any sort of report?

Look up your call history and take the number from there. You will know roughly what time they called

@Vaxtable it was an unknown number.

@Terrribletwos they wanted a report updating on use of grant. When they couldn't get the first person they rang me as the next contact on the application.

Did you put your name on the application or did she? If the latter, you need to get her to give you more information on what this grant is so you can contact the right department and remove your details.

I never put my name on anything. I read over an application but it was for something totally different to this. I'm now worried she's used my name
In more than one application.

In that case I'd definitely get in touch with the fraud department at the council so they can look into it. Try to find out what the grant was for from her (maybe innocently ask and see if she tells you). This could be the reason why she stopped contact

@Indulgingmum I would have absolutely nothing to do with your friend as regards this! Do not reply or contact her at all. In the meantime absolutely contact the council and ask what is going on. They should provide you with all the info you need.

You could check companies house maybe? To see if she has listed you as a director of her company? You need to have 3 unrelated directors to apply for most charitable grants so I wonder if she has just stuck you on without asking you?

You should tell the person who rang you that you know nothing of any grant. That you and 'friend' haven't spoken for many months.
There's a slim chance if was an error and she was meaning to use a different person as a referee for it. But it seems unlikely.
It might not be an outright scam but she's certainly offered your details to them without your own consent which seems foolish at best.

Did you not get any details? What sort of grant, which department etc?

Got a fright there when PP mentioned me being a director of their company. Just checked and I'm not. Phew.

I've found the grant officers name online so I'm going to call her on Monday. I feel that's the best thing to do.

In the meantime I'm trying to write an email telling her to not use my details again!

@BenditlikeBridget I did get the name of the grant dept. So I was able to google them. Got a contact number and name
So I'll start there.

I've had emails from the council confirming the award of grant, for an org that I stepped down from several cycles ago. The current applicants had given their correct details but the council had just emailed it to me for some reason (and not the actual applicants).

It could well be their error so just ask them.

Try not to worry too much. You'll be able demonstrate the extent of your involvement. If anything, it looks like the council may not have completed their own checks on eligibility.

Work out what her email address is- it will likely be firstname.lastname@council.gov.uk and email her rather than ringing, even if you follow up with a call. At the moment your name is apparently on a financial grant agreement with them. That is a big deal and you need to refute it in writing asap.