Who Called Us

The dirty secret is that charity calls are often placed by a commercial fundraiser, such as Associated Community Services, Dial America, Harris, InfoCision, MDS, and TeleFund. These non-sales calls are exempt from federal DNC, even though such call centers are very much for-profit and pocket most of what these periodic campaigns collect. At times the ''charity'' client is itself a closet profit enterprise, compounding the deception.

However, as commercial entities, these hired call centers are expected to honor an internal no-call list and add any number upon request. Break that order, the FTC declares, and ''the telemarketer may be subject to a fine of up to $16,000.'' They are also covered to a point by other regulations for telepests, so you can kvetch about abandoned calls, bot calls to mobile phones, and so on.

What else to do? File complaints with the FTC and attorneys general, and the charity group doing the hiring. When the boiler room calls, try getting on a master ''no-call'' list for all of that firm's charity clients. (See more discussion under this number: 9018819984 ) If a given commercial fundraiser seems deaf to your demands, and/or merely renews its pestering with the next campaign, turn up your volume on paper. Send a cease-comm notice via USPS Certified with return card. It need not say more than to stop calling and writing whatever numbers and addresses you want protected.

A charity call campaign must usually be cleared through some agency or regulator in your state, and many states make activity reports available online. They often reveal a specified period of weeks or months in which the group is permitted to solicit, sometimes tracking well with the observations on these call forums. Find those reports and you'll find one more desk to advise of your displeasure.

call every day... 7 days a week... This has been going on for over three years. STOP NOW! !!

Called the house today but no message.

“The large gap between Cancer Fund of America’s cash donations and the portion ultimately benefiting cancer patients should be a concern for every potential donor,” said Michelle Corey, president and CEO of the St. Louis BBB. “Even when compared to other nonprofits that rely heavily on professional fundraisers, the charity’s record is unsatisfactory and donors should know that only a fraction of their donation will provide any direct benefit to cancer patients or their families.”

Keeps calling in early AM, rings just enough to kick-in answering machine and hangs up. This is the same scammer for "Cancer Research" that we told to stop calling several months ago. Didn't last long. Apparently they're too stupid to understand a polite "No Thank you." Wonder what part of "No, they don't understand?"

This number is inquiry for the electricity related any problem.
http://www.flickr.com/people/63116668@N04/

I have spoken to the person and told them to remove our number from their list. They said they will do it. But the next day another person calls. AND get upset when I told them I am not interested and said they were suppose to remove my number yesterday or even days before. They don't communicate with each other. I don't want NON PROFIT ORGNIZATION TO HARASS US. We give money when we can afford it. Money is tight for us. Perhaps they should give us some after all we have given to them all these years!

no one answered screw them

I just got a call today and told them I don't donate over the phone. Mark said it's not over the phone. I told him I don't donate to organizations I don't know anything about. He said, "Any other excuses?" Then he hung up on me. He said he was with the Cancer Support Services. I see from earlier posts this is a scam. I really believe that ALL unsolicited calls, including political and charity donations should fall under the "no call" list. I am sick of getting these calls.

This number called and got my voice mail,and didn't leave any message. But,I could hear people talking in the background. I'm on the do not call list. There really needs to be something done with them, the idiots they don't get it.

Caller hung up when I picked up ... so that is the autodialer shedding excess contacts I suppose, right? grrr.

These jerks is at it again. They got balls. Things were pretty quiet for a while after that idiot Shummer from NYC made a big stink, but, they are getting back in business. Maybe they should call obammas number sometime...he could get that wimp Holder after them....He-He.

They called early in the a.m. and I was upset they woke me up. A woman called back and called me a bitch. She then continued to call back 5 times. They need to be investigated.

charitynavigator.org ... a Delaware Corporation... operating under several disguises related to

The phone just rang and they hung up.

A woman addressed me by name & asked how I was doing. She said she was calling from Cancer Support Services. I told her that I do not appreciate phone solicitations and not to call me again. She seemed taken aback and said okay.

I just pick up the phone and then lay it on the counter and walk away. I could hear a women saying hello- hello then she tried to hang up and it wouldn't let her right away so she kept trying. I had my fun for the day!!!

They called at 9:20 this morning and asked if they sent me a card, if the people that receive help from them could count on a donation from me. She mentioned a list of things that the cancer patients receive on their doorstep from this group. I said I had a niece with cancer, and she asked if I would like to take down her number. While I was getting something to write with, the phone made the disconnected signal. She must have hung up the second that I put the phone down.

Called early in morning, left no message.

sick of this company calling me
I WANT TO SUE

Evert time they call there is dead air for like 15 seconds then someone says hello. When I sternly ask who it is they hang up. This is obviously not legit... whoever they are. Beware

Claims to be "Cancer Support Service". This is apparently a scam. They readily (well, with only a little prodding) gave their address as 20755 Michigan Avenue, Dearborn, MI 48034. And then they volunteered their "web address" as css.org and continued asking for money. Unfortunately for their story, this is the URI of Colorado Springs School in Colorado Springs, Colorado, who are probably unaware that scammers are giving out their URI in an attempt to convince people that they are authentic charities. Presumably some people would then just assume that they are legitimate without bothering to check the URI to see who is really there. The real Cancer Support Services, Inc. is at cancersupportservices.net and their address is CSS, 23400 Michigan Ave., Suite P12, Dearborn, MI 48124. And that is pretty much a scam as well: See charitywatch.org and charitywatch.org. The parent "organization" of Cancer Support Services, Inc. gives only 17% of the money they collect to charity. The rest goes to enrich the family that runs the organization. It is far more efficient to donate your money to some other organization--any other organization.

Woman said it was "The Cancer Fund of America.". After i told her I was not going to donate, she pushed harder telling me people dying needed supplies. I hung up on her after giving her another resounding NO!

understand this is not legitimate cancer fund. They spend almost 64% of their intake on marketing for the 'fat-khat' heads. Don't answer. My last call was after 9:00 p.m. - get 'call blocking on your phone.'

Do Not Call Me Any More I am not interested in making a contribution and you are calling and wakeing me up every morning for over a week now stop do not call again

Don't know. Came through while I was on another call. I didn't answer it.

callers calls to tell me she is Cancer Instute, i tell her i do not have cancer, she says its a donation to help cancer patients, she wants my answer and it is 20 dollars. I tell her I have to ask my husband. says she will put me through to the mail room for my address. girl gets on line and wants my credit card number. I tell her no.then I look at the scam on line. call them back, it's a recording, I tell the recording cancel your solicitation, don't send a bill.

No message left.

My link didn't make it for the below report. (?!) The American Institute of Philanthropy (AIP) is an "org" that can be found on the WWW under "charitywatch". Click on the Articles tab in the menu bar at top, and you'll find the mentioned article at the top of the list: Fundraisers Ordered to Pay $18.8 mm and Banned from Soliciting Forever.

I got a call from "Toll Free Call" on 8/6; no message. Some GOOD NEWS! Thanks to all who provided whatever clues -- all these loose associations with a variety of non-profits. Read full article here: -- what a story of graft. From the August 2010 Charity Rating Guide & Watchdog Report:

"Donors who have been misled or harassed by charity telemarketers know how insidious some telephone fundraisers can be. In a signal that the regulators know it, too, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has ordered the operators of the telemarketing company Civic Development Group (CDG) to pay $18.8 million, the largest penalty ever handed down in a consumer protection case."

"CDG fundraised for numerous local firefighter, police and veterans charities. They also had contracts with several groups that received F ratings from AIP, including Cancer Fund of America, Children's Charity Fund/A Child's Wish Foundation, Disabled Veterans Association, Firefighters Charitable Foundation/Fire Victims, and the Childhood Leukemia Foundation. The Virginia Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the AIP F rated charity, Paralyzed Veterans Association, was also a client of CDG."

I highly recommend reading the Charity Watch articles regarding any cancer, veteran etc. group you are considering for donations. Some real eye openers on other national organizations in addition.

She asked if I was willing to send "a donation" to her cancer foundation, I asked her "What are you wearing?" She immediately hung up.

They called - the woman was trying to supress her laughter and she was looking for donations for the cancer fund. I asked her what was so funny about cancer. She replied: "oh, nothing. Thank you anyway" ... before she hung up I could still hear her in the background saying "Dammit, Stop it. This guy heard me laughing" Then the phone went dead...

Cancer Support Services: didn't talk to anyone. Just let Caller ID pick up. I've never donated to this organization so I don't know what they're all about. I no longer pledge any money over the phone as its become too much of a risk.

There have been several people that call from the listed number. They purport to be from Cancer Support Services. When I've been unable to give, they promise to call on the date I specify (which would be my payday.) They've never called on the requested date. Next time I'll have to tell them if they can't call as per my request, I can't support them.

Per my caller ID, they phone my home at least once per day. Saturday morning they called, no one responded to my "hello's" so I hung up, looked up the number, and found it's an organization I've never heard of before; Cancer Support Services. Per their website they offer services to cancer patients, and give supplies to hospices, and other non-profit organizations. This must be a scam! Hospices are federally certified to be reimbursed for Medicare and Medicaid patients, and that includes personal supplies such as adult diapers, lotions, etc. I know of no hospice which accepts supplies in that manner. (I work for a government agency which oversees hospices and other health care agency and facility types.)

I called them back and the recording identifies them as "Cancer Support Services," a non-profit organization. Suppose this exempts them from the Do Not Call registry.

Called before 9 am on a Saturday morning. Asked the caller if they thought it was a bit early to be calling, then I asked what time it was where they were. Caller said "No.....We'll call back, bye bye!" then hung up. Based on the response they are in the Eastern Time Zone. No idea what they were soliciting.

Left message saying they were required to contact me by today. Doesn't sound like a real charity.

Apparently they are going by a new name ... Cancer Research (something something). When I called the number back you have to listen to an advertisement about how wonderful they are and ask (if I understood correctly) YOU to SPONSOR the care of a cancer patient somehow. They say they are listed as a charity with the Attorney Generals office (hmmmm) and "gifts" are tax deductible. At the end of the long advertisement you can leave your name and tell them to remove you from their call list. I am on the do not call list, however, "charitable organziations" are exempt from the do not call list.

I have been receiving numerous calls from various cancer societies and quite frankly theese socieities offend me greatly.

Cancer Fund of America. I asked to be removed from the list. We'll see...

Been getting several of these this week. I answer and nobody is there on the other end. Very annoying.

Called the house and no message left.

I called the number back and got a recording. It is Cancer Support Services of America, Inc. I left a message letting them know I am registered with the National Do Not Call Registry and not to call my number again. Really ticks me off that I have been getting all sorts of donation requests that I have never heard of before!

This is the second time this week that they've called after 9 pm.

This is a telemarketing office of the Cancer Fund of America in Dearborn, MI (313-565-5901), who go by the name of cancer support services which according to them is "an abbreviation" of Cancer Fund of America. Headquarteres is in Knoxville, TN 800-578-5284

Geez, it's Sunday and I get a call from these people. Aren't even non-profits banned from Sunday calls? This makes the 6th call I've received in 6 days.

This is the first call we've gotten from this number (January 18, 2010 at 7:33 PM).

The phone rang two times, then disconnected. There was no time to answer, and my voice message machine did not have time to answer.

The information posted on this web site indicates that it is a fundraising scam.

I agree with the previous poster that you should not even say the work 'yes' in any context, if you speak with them.

Do not engage them in any conversation. Do not try to explain your reasons for not giving. The best response is "No, thank you," and then hang up.

If you want to donate money to help fight cancers, go do your own research and decide for yourself which organizations are doing the best work.

These scumbags call at least 4 or 5 times a week..... I've tried answering the call and get nothing. If I don't answer, they don't leave a message and will call back in an hour or two. My only mental therapy on this is to scream in the phone STOP CALLING HERE and hang up.

This is from "Cancer Support Services". With has a Web Site of ( cancersupportservices.net ). But I have said Hello, but I coulnd not hear anything, and then the phone hangs Up. Today they have called twice in just over a hour.
I have NEVER heard of this place before.
I have heard of Cancer Fund of America but not this Cancer support Services.

I don't answer toll free calls and they didn't leave a message.

Reported to National Do Not Call registry as violation. They called yesterday and today.

As a follow up, check out the following link on Cancer Fund of America:

charitynavigator.org

Out of every $100 they collect there is 54 cents remaining to provide aid to cancer patients. As I suspected in my earlier comment, this is a scam. The numbers are not right. Do not donate. Don't even pick up the phone.

They called at 8:40am. I did not answer and they did not leave a message.

I called the number and it is for Cancer Support Services.
Web site: cancersupportservices.net

Affilliated with: Cancer Fund of Americal cfoa.org

I question their legitimacy.

Reported this call as a violation of the DNCL

Cancer Fund of America -- SCAM ALERT!!!

We receive calls from this number at least once daily -- they call at all hours. Caller ID says Cancer Fund.

I said the name of our company and "may I help you" no sound. I said "hello?" the person on the other end sighed very deeply. I said "Hello" again. They said nothing. I hung up.

We've gotten three to five calls per day over the last 7 to 10 days. Thank goodiness for Caller ID. We don't answer calls from TOLL FREE numbers any more.
I'd like very much to know how to get the calls to STOP!

People called us at 8:45 IN THE MORNING three times in the past week. I answered twice; they said nothing then HUNG UP ON ME. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!!

they hang up when you answer the phone.

I have been getting calls every day from this stupid number and not just once but several times a day and am getting sick and tired of their crap.I told them off every time it rings it is a recording from this cancer support service which obviousley is nothing but a scam .People like this should go to jail .I actually work for a real Cancer Center and know this is nothing but a bunch of bullshit .I wished I could get a hold of someone on the line.I told them i was goimg to report them if they do not stop this.They also call before 9am and almost 9pm at night.I did block the call.

They have no Web presence,call frequently though I hang up almost immediately; obviously a scam. Alas, several months ago when money was plentiful, I sent them fifty dollars. I don't think they will bother me again. I just blew a loud whistle into the ear of a man who was affecting a very deep voice. Bad actor. Sore ear. Fuck'em.

I just told them I had no desire to contribute and informed them I am on te Do NOt Call Registry...

Call received at 8:35AM. Caller ID was "Out of Area". Call was not answered, nor was a message left.

Call was at 8:45 AM! This is the second time they have called before 9:00 AM. Lady said she was with Cancer Fund, I said take me off your list she would not agree to do so.

calls before 9:00 am
I do not answer calls from 800 numbers

First of all-- No One can call you Before 9am or after 9pm your time-- Charity, Political or whatever. Report them. Second this number is for the Cancer Fund. The Cancer Fund is a fraudulent charity, Not to be confused with legitimate Cancer Organizations. MSN states: " You wouldn't want to confuse the Cancer Fund of America, which recently settled a fraud lawsuit with the state of Vermont, and the Cancer Research Institute, which gets high marks from charity monitors. {from: moneycentral.msn.com There are places to send compaints on this link.}

HANG UP. DO NOT PROMISE THEM MONEY. DO NOT SEND THEM MONEY. THE ONLY REASON THEY CONTINUE CALLING IS BECAUSE IT WORKS. IF WE ALL STOP GIVING THE CROOKS MONEY, WE ALL WIN.
Thanks.

no answer just clicks

These people have been calling me almost daily, several times a day. Most times I have not answered. Today I answered and of course they wanted money. I told her times are tough...she continued talking...I asked her to take me off her list and she continued talking...I then screamed TAKE ME OFF YOUR LIST and then hung up. Won't be answering the phone next time. Sure is annoying to continue getting phone calls from these people.

This # kept calling me, wanting me to donate money. I told them I was on disability and couldn't afford it and the kept calling me and so I asked them to take me off their list. I finally agreed to send them 20 dollars to get them to leave me alone. They sent the packet. I threw it in the trash and thought that would be the end of it. I have had pneumonia and have been sick, They still keep calling me. I asked them to quit calling me. They were nasty to me and all sounded like colored folk. They said you promised us 20 dollars, aren't you going to send it. A woman called me 3 times this week and today a man called me and gave me this address to send the 20 dollars too as I said I had lost the papers. CFA Support, 23400 Michigan Ave. P12, Michigan 48124. These people are nasty talking to you demanding money to begin with, and then hounds you to death. I don't know what to do about it. There was a piece in the paper to not give in to these calls. After reading these comments, guess I will just look at the caller ID, and not answer the phone to them again.

Called - I saw the ID screen and didn't pick up. Pain in La Cula!

I had six calls from this number on the 6th of Feb and 2 calls today. There is no one on the line when I answer so I called the number and it said they are the cancer fund of america support services. I got a recording wanting me to send them money. I just laid the phone down and left it for about 10 minutes. The menu was still giving out number to hit for different things, then I hung up. Is there any way to stop them from calling. It is really harrassment.

Did not leave a message. I have not dealt with them before.

Calls everyday but never leaves a message.

I answered the phone to a pre-recorded message for Cancer Fund of America Support Services. I have never donated to them and have had this number for nearly three years. I called the number back and had to listen to the same spiel all over again. I did manage to leave a message asking to be taken off their list. If they call again I will make reports to the FTC and the BBB and I encourage everyone who has been called repeatedly to do the same. The more people are vocal about this, the more likely it is to stop.

Caller hangs up after 3 rings..no message left.

These idiots should be deported.

Asked for Mr. Hernandez, which is not me. Hung up after about 30 seconds of silence on my end.

I answer....there is a long pause and they hang up.

This number has called us repeatedly, sometimes around 10 times a day, for the past several months. We have told them that we cannot contribute to their organization due to current economic restraints...but they can't take a hint.

Hung up after saying Hello twice to dead air time

Calls every morning at 8:45 am. The number shows up on the caller ID. I don't answer. The answer machine comes on they hang up.

Caller ID unknown,at an 800# when I answered, "Lisa, can I help you," they hung up.

Female caller, she was rude and snappy. I blocked the number. There are more legite organizations out there.

Didn't answer - Caller ID said "800 Service." I nver answer those.

Call all the time, when i answer, no one answers. I call back to remove my name from list, i get just a recorded message. i hit 0, it gives me 3 options (for operator-0, list of company directory-*, if you know your parties extension, enter it now), and you can't get anywhere with these options. Matter of fact, if you hit 0 or *, they disconnect you. The whole idea for them is (found this out the hard way) for you to listen to their sermon when you call...they want you to call them, they don't want to call you. It's folks like these that make me want to get rid of my phone.

Did not pick up when I saw caller ID.Hangs up when answering machine picks up

Rings....picked up to get RID of "them." Heard nothing... "they" hung up on me! Frustrating. I've heard these are computer generated calls to check on when people are home -- or at least answer and they report to companies trying to sell you cra..... !!! Who knows, but it sure is frustrating, huh?!

The others are right - this organization calls to collect like this is an urgent debt. I have asked to be removed from this list but the calls keep coming.

unknown - nothing shown

We get calls at our place of employment from this number weekly. When you answer they just hang up. Caller ID says UNKNOWN

There was dead air time so I hung up

Claims to be from a cancer charity. I told them to take my name off their list, I get my donations info from the BBB and do not donate to "cold callers" She was polite and said she would take my name off the list(surprise, surprise) So we will see if it actually happens.

Called my business line. Dead air when I answered, that was a tip-off so I hung up.

Received calls constantly for about a month. One Saturday I received 6 calls in a two hour period. On the sixth call I answered asking why they are calling so much. They demanded that I needed to place the donation promised in the mail that my young nephew promised. I told them that he was a young kid and should not have made any promises. A week after that conversation the calls started coming 3 times a day according to the caller id. I finally answered and yelled at the woman on the phone to stop calling. I have been enjoying my quiet evenings since!

Did not answer. Did not leave message.

I checked with the Cancer Fund of America - I emailed them from their website and had them check this number. They verified it is one of their call center numbers. I would still however think first if this would be a good organization to donate to as they have only met 3 of the 20 standards for charity organization according to the BBB report. They do not give 100% of the money donate to those in need as they have claimed on the phone to some people. They are supposed to put at least 65% toward their help programs, but per BBB's last report they do not.

this number calls me twice a day; when I answer you can hear them breathing but they don't say anything. yesterday i said they'd have to hang up first and there was an immediate 'click'; today they hung up as soon as I said "oh its you again"

this is the cancer fund of america if you promised money they will hound you every hour or so I know cause I have had 8 calls from this number today. Fell into finacial troubles myself but they don't want to hear that.

The person calling ask if I needed anything, supplies, transportation, etc. I ask why and was told I had cancer. I do not, which I confirmed immediately with my doctor. I ask who reported it and he said one of your doctors. I pressed, but that's all he could tell me. He offered to send me a donation packet. I received a second call yesterday and decided to research.

No one on the line so I waited. I loud call center background noise, a woman spoke and said she was from the Cancer society, I told her to take my number off her calling list.
2 Hours Before that, a man called saying the same thing and I told him to take my number off his calling list.
Let us see if someone else calls back again, this is the 8th call according to the called id, I have received in many days. Will no longer answer these calls.

Received call from this number twice. Female started talking after some dead air time. Claims to be from the National Cancer foundation. Hung up on the caller, no such agency to my knowldege?

Did not answer - no message left.

Call came at 12:31pm, Thursday, 12-13-07. Rung three times but I did not answer. Also 2 other times today. Another site advise this is Cancer Fund of America.

Hangs up when answering machine picks up

not provided 7:08pm

Did not pick up when I saw caller ID.

Girl said she was from Cancer Funding Services, wanted to send me a donation card.