Breast cancer phone solications

Itzy

I just received my second phone solicitation for some breast cancer organization, and I don't remember their name. Until my BC diagnosis last year, I never received a call like this. First of all, they asked for me by name. It was a mixed of robo call and a real person. I asked her to stop talking, and she turned off the recording of her voice and listened, but went right back into the tape.

As I have had untold thousands of unwanted, unwelcome phone solicitations over the years, and not one was related breast cancer until I was diagnosed, it seems very clear that somehow my having breast cancer is information that someone has sold. I have done a little bit of online exploration, and there is a lot out there about breast cancer scammers, and one company and family in particular. But more than that, I want to know how they identified me.

TNNurse

When I am approached in any way for solicitations for breast cancer, I simply reply that I have already given quite a lot.

BarredOwl

Hi Itzy:

Unfortunately, your behavior on the internet can be tracked (e.g., via "cookies"). Searches for breast cancer-related information and visiting breast cancer-related sites can be followed.

I have found the best solution to such telephone calls is to: Pick up, say nothing, hang up. Realizing the futility of their efforts, after a while, they stopped. Some robots look for any response, which encourages them to continue. Hence, the silence plus hang-up.

You may be interested in this thread where members are trying to understand what happens on this site:

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/93/topics/844776?page=2

BarredOwl

Denise-G

I occasionally get those calls from scam charities for breast cancer.  When I do, I say this in an extremely excited voice -  "OHMYGOSH, you hit the jackpot today.  Myself, my mom and sister were all diagnosed with breast cancer within the last 3 years.  I AM SOOOO HAPPY you called me.  We definitely qualify for your charity.  You can send us a check at...."   By that time I get there,  they have hang up.   I have fun with them now.

But one time I got a call from American Cancer Society and used that line.  The guy was SO NICE to me.  He immediately told me about help available, where to go, what to do.  I was extremely impressed.  He sent me info, gave me phone numbers, etc.

AnnieMae

I received an automated call a couple of days ago for the first time, and was diagnosed last week. I too receive lots of phone solicitations, but this was my first breast-cancer related one. I never enter my actual phone number online though, so I do wonder if it's the medical or financialrecords somewhere.