We are aware of several forms of fraudulent communications claiming to be from or associated with the Hewlett Foundation. They have been shared via email, social media, postal mail, and phone. They often include our logo, photos, links, or other information taken directly from our website, hewlett.org, or come from individuals, such as through LinkedIn invitations, with fake accounts posing as foundation staff or consultants.
If you doubt the authenticity of any type of correspondence claiming to be from the Hewlett Foundation or wish to notify us about a potential scam, please contact us here.
Please be advised that the Hewlett Foundation and foundation employees do not:
- Request administrative fees for awarding a grant. Learn more about our grantmaking process here.
- Request information about bank accounts or other personal information outside of our official grant management system.
- Solicit donations at any time.
- Host lotteries of any kind.
- Request registration fees for conferences or summits or fees to apply for jobs.
- Have memberships or request fees for memberships.
- Approach individuals about grant opportunities or scholarships.
- Offer investment opportunities.
Here are some 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 have been offered a job or are being awarded a grant.
- Be cautious if you are asked to wire money.
For more information about the U.S. Federal Trade Commission’s efforts to combat these types of fraud, visit the webpage for the FTC’s Division of Privacy and Identity Protection. In the U.S., you can report fraud to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov. Please also consider reporting any potentially fraudulent activity to your local authorities.