Cancer charities bilked donors out of $187 million. Did you get taken?

2015-05-19T16:17:45-04:00

Four cancer charities bilked unsuspecting donors out of $187 million, the Federal Trade Commission and all 50 states charged today, in what officials called one of the largest cases ever against charity fraud.

The charities, which operated around the country, told donors their money would help patients by paying for their pain medications, hospice services and other care. But the “overwhelming majority” of the money only benefited the charity organizers, as well as their friends, according to the complaint from the Federal Trade Commission and the attorneys general of all 50 states.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/cancer-charities-bilked-donors-out-of-187-million-government-says/2015/05/19/c164219a-fe57-11e4-833c-a2de05b6b2a4_story.html?hpid=z5

Cancer charities bilked donors out of $187 million, government says

Officials say the scam ran for years, resulting in one of the largest cases ever against a charity.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made May 19 at 2015 4:26 PM

2015-05-19T16:26:37-04:00

I remember when I first started working all the pressure for giving and donating to the multitudes of charities out there cancer, vets, FOP or otherwise. After reading about the overhead involved in some of these organizations like the United Way, etc. I wowed to never give blindly.

Over the years I have volunteered my time at soup kitchens, charity walks, events for vets and the elderly and given money or product directly to organizations such as donating cases of water to a cancer walk or supporting those financially running an event. This way I know where the time and money goes and see the results as opposed to anonymous donations that you have no idea what ROI you get.

Response by SMSgt Dan Powell made May 19 at 2015 4:31 PM

2015-05-19T16:31:16-04:00

Nosir, I got into the habit of finding out about where charities spend their donations. Some of the biggest and best known are terribly inneficient. I use the Combined Federal Campaign website. I think they do a pretty good job looking at charities and how they spend your money. It amazes me that these jerks are getting off so lightly. Thanks for the post, Gunny.

Response by SGT Felicia King made May 19 at 2015 9:40 PM

2015-05-19T21:40:24-04:00

That's why it is best to research the charities you donate to. I believe it is the BBB site that lists the grades of each charity, as well as how much of the donation actually goes to its helping need, and how much that goes into its administrative fees.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 17 at 2015 12:00 PM

2015-06-17T12:00:43-04:00

Keep in mind that this was only the 4 charities that were named, and there is no reason to suspect any other charities of this type of scam. If you would like to donate to a charity and want to ensure that they are legit, just check their information on these sites below. As an example, these links are the results for the Children's Cancer Research Fund; a valid charity that really uses the money for what they say.

http://www.smartgivers.org/Charity/Review/children_s_cancer_research_fund

http://www.guidestar.org/organizations/41-1893645/childrens-cancer-research-fund.aspx

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Sep 26 at 2018 2:58 PM

2018-09-26T14:58:57-04:00

I check charities on the Morningstar site.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 26 at 2018 6:03 PM

2018-09-26T18:03:22-04:00

https://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2012/11/jill-kelley-ran-bogus-cancer-charity-wants-diplomatic-protection/321492/
Something that has bugged me for some time about cancer charities that state they are funding cancer research: If your company comes up with a cure for a form of cancer - particularly, a common form - you are going to be sitting on a mountain of money. You could literally build you mansion out of it if you wanted to. Therefore, there is an enormous business incentive already for businesses to invest in the development of cancer treatments. So, why would we need to contribute charitable donations in order for there to be cancer research?
Charities that help cancer patients and their families with the practical things in life while they go through treatment or if they must go to hospice - those charities seem to be more realistic.

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