Anyone Else Get Calls From "The Breast Cancer Society?"

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Kim14
Kim14 Member Posts: 1
edited February 2017 in Life After Breast Cancer

I am a 5-year survivor of Stage 2 invasive breast cancer. It was one of the worst things I've ever been through in my life, so I really do like to just forget about the whole ordeal.

However, I have recently received a few phone calls from a place calling itself "The Breast Cancer Society". The woman on the phone says, "We help a woman with breast cancer", but doesn't say HOW they help her. When I tried to ask questions, she vaguely claimed they gave financial and other assistance, which appears to be untrue. (Just Google 'Arizona Breast Cancer Society" and you'll see that they have a horrible track record as a "charity").

I recently saw a CNN report about the Arizona-based "Breast Cancer Society". CNN warned that the so-called "charity" is nothing but a scam. I went through Hell with breast cancer and nobody helped me with my astronomical medical bills. Even worse, The Breast Cancer Society is run by a family who also has "charities" for pediatric cancer, a general cancer fund, etc. All of these alleged "charities" have received an "F" grade from charity watchdog groups.

Anderson Cooper on CNN said they are shameless scammers who didn't want to answer the CNN reporter's questions. It really makes me mad that scammers are trying to line their own pockets by claiming to help "a woman with breast cancer", when this is NOT the case. The "charity" spokesperson couldn't even answer basic questions about where the donations go or what the money is used for.

Worst of all, they seem to be preying on women who have a history of breast cancer. (They probably assume we will be more sympathetic to their cause then the average person). Many breast cancer patients and survivors have reported very aggressive marketing calls from this organization. I've never before received a telemarketing call for any other kind of cancer or disease. I get letters from organizations fighting cancer and other diseases, but NEVER phone calls.

What I don't understand is how on Earth did they get my phone number? Or find out that I am a breast cancer survivor? I have an unlisted phone number and am on the national "Do Not Call" list. Somehow they must be getting access to our medical records, which I believe is a violation of the HIPPA privacy laws. I have no idea how they did this, other than perhaps hacking into hospital or health insurance records.

I wondered if anyone else has received calls from this organization? If so, how did you handle it? I know NOT to give them money in a million years, but I'm not quite sure how to get the phone calls to STOP. I've received several calls, told them I wasn't interested, but the calls continue. The worst part is that it is a VERY unpleasant reminder of an incredibly chaotic time in my life. I just want to put it behind me and NOT be reminded of it. Thanks for any advice.

May God bless all who must fight this disease.

Kim

Comments

  • leggo
    leggo Member Posts: 3,293
    edited August 2013

    Hi Kim. I'm in Canada and we get phone calls on a weekly basis for every disease under the sun, but not cancer. For the most part, the calls are legit. Having said that, a call from a cancer society is not, just like you said. At least here anyway. All fund raising is done through the private sector. I wouldn't assume though, that the scammers got your number BECAUSE you had cancer. Phone numbers are bought and sold between companies all the time for solicitation purposes. For example, something as benign as a store purchase can give access to your phone number. Not too much that can be done about it, other than blocking the number so they can't call back.

  • Soccermom4force
    Soccermom4force Member Posts: 631
    edited August 2013

    I got a call from them too. I told them I was going to report them to the FCC, which I did. I am on the DO NOT CALL LIST as well.

    Warmly,

    Marcia

  • hbcheryl
    hbcheryl Member Posts: 5,113
    edited August 2013

    I got a call too but I turned the tables and when she asked could she send an envelope and they would be pleased with any donation I told her "oh I thought you were going to send me money" she started blubbering and I just hung up but I have caller ID and they called me 3 times last week and I too am on the Do Not Call list

  • pipers_dream
    pipers_dream Member Posts: 618
    edited May 2014

    OMG, that was the one that called me last night and I just finished writing a post on a thread called, "Is there a cure for stupid."  I was enormously irritated by the woman after she said I was "sweeter than a kitten with mittens."  Now I'm glad I was rude to her, lol, as I was feeling kind of bad about that today.  

  • Fiaranch1
    Fiaranch1 Member Posts: 328
    edited May 2014

    Kim,

    I got the same call about 6 months ago we have a non pub number and also are on the blocked/do not call list .  It is a scam, but I do not believe they have OUR medical records as when they called they asked to speak with my husband . I told the lie I always tell phone solicitors "he is out of the country for 6 months , how may I help you ? .  She proceeds with we are calling to solicit donations for women without insurance  to receive mammograms and we noticed that we have not yet received your donation this year.  I said well you need to update your records as I have given a substantial donation this year.   She responds "thank you if you could provide the specifics of your donation I will ensure it is noted in our files" . I said I donated both of my breasts to cancer in October of this year.  That is more of a donation than alot people give in a lifetime.  She started stammering hung up .....................  We have not received any further calls :-)

  • CidneyI
    CidneyI Member Posts: 79
    edited January 2015

    I got a call the exact same day I found out I had breast cancer. I thought it was odd that someone was calling me to ask for a donation within minutes of just getting back from the breast care surgeon office telling me the big news. So yeah, how did these people know to call me?

  • Itzy
    Itzy Member Posts: 46
    edited January 2016

    I have had 2 phone solicitations for breast cancer since my diagnosis. They asked for me by name, which most robocalls do not. I've received thousands of phone solicitations over the years, but none related to breast cancer, and now 2 since my diagnosis. I want to know the source of the lists they work from.

  • cliff
    cliff Member Posts: 290
    edited February 2017

    I got the call too, and asked them if they knew men got breast cancer, cause I have it right now. they havnt called back. there are some good ones out there, when I found out I was paying 2500 after insurance paid 1090 for each monthly exgiva shot, I asked my cancer center about a generic. they got a foundation ( un named) to pay for most. are the real ones anonomous?

  • Denise-G
    Denise-G Member Posts: 1,777
    edited February 2017

    They called me and I responded with this: "You hit the jackpot today! Myself, my mom and I all were diagnosed with breast cancer within 3 years. WE NEED HELP", I screamed. She hung up, of course.



  • farmerlucy
    farmerlucy Member Posts: 3,985
    edited February 2017

    I have too. Ironically the caller ID showed "Breast Cancer", so dh and I had a chuckle when he said "Breast Cancer is calling." Been there done that. I don't answer those calls.

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