215-383-5551

No Message

Received call asking for money for breast cancer research.  I think this is a scam.  If it were real, caller id would of said a name.  Also there is a local chapter right where I live, don't need one from Pennsylvania.

Only on callerid.  don't know the natur ofthis call.

Typed wrong number in previous post.

Didn't leave a message

Call to landline

Did not leave message

This electronic/computer generated phone number: Ph# 215-383-5551;
Name: PS24 phoned and left no message? Dated: 12 Feb 2010. 1810 pm.

Sounded like it was an (Electronic Telemarketer) or (Unknown Caller) testing the phone line, seeing if anyone would pick up and answer.

Possible scam or telemarketer sell's pictch.

Who are you - who, who, who, who?

same as above...  215-383-5551 and from PS24...  we didn't answer it but no message was left!!!  Who is this?  I'm sure it's telemarketing or scam!

I just got a call at noon today from this #. My Dad gets this too and he can barely walk to answer the phone. How do they get by DoNotCall?

I had been avoiding this number,  but finally picked up.  They ID'd themselves as representing the Breast Cancer Relief (Foundation), and sent me to breastcancerrelief.org. While they are listed as a real charity, they either cannot be found, or have refused to submit requested financial information to the following watchdog groups: (1) http://www.bbb.org/us/Charity-Reviews/, (2) http://www.charitywatch.org/ (which is the American Institute of Philanthropy, the most often cited charity watchdog group), (3) http://www.charitynavigator.org/, (4) http://www2.guidestar.org/, and (5) http://www.charityguide.org/index.htm.  

When I receive their mailing, I will respond with the above information, and request that respond to the American Institute of Philanthropy's request.  If they do so, I will then consider giving.  Breast cancer charity organizations are important to me, as I'm a scientist studying breast cancer.  But I won't give unless they are upfront about their spending practices.

Concerned donors should check the American Institute of Philanthropy's recommendations before giving to any organization.

A follow-up:  I received the mailing today from the Breast Cancer Relief Foundation.  On the back of the enclosed letter they listed many numbers in different states where government offices would have information about this charity.  I was not interested in calling a bunch of secretaries of state, so I checked out the only website they mentioned:

http://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/ocp/charities.htm

The letter specifically states with reference to the State of New Jersey that "information filed with the attorney general concerning this charitable solicitation and the percentage of contributions received... that were dedicated to the charitable purpose may be obtained... on the internet at" the site listed above.  I searched all permutations of the name on the site, and they are NOT LISTED AS A REGISTERED CHARITY IN NJ, despite that they imply that they are in their mailing.

I will also include this information in my response letter to them.  For others who receive calls from this group, I would recommend that you simply say "DO NOT CALL AGAIN".  And maybe tell them that they should ACTUALLY provide the financial information that they imply they have given to the various states' attorneys generals.

Hi all,
Here's the letter I sent:

"Ms. Annis D. Tarver
Executive Director of “Breast Cancer Relief Foundation”

Ms. Tarver,

I will not be forwarding any money to you for the following reasons:

Your letter specifically states with reference to the State of New Jersey that "information filed with the attorney general concerning this charitable solicitation and the percentage of contributions received... that were dedicated to the charitable purpose may be obtained... on the internet at http://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/ocp/charities.htm". I searched carefully for your name on the site, including the phrases “Breast Cancer Relief” and “Cancer Center for Detection and Prevention”, and YOU ARE NOT LISTED AS A REGISTERED CHARITY IN NJ, DESPITE THAT YOU IMPLY THAT YOU ARE IN YOUR MAILING.  

I also checked five different groups that monitor charities.  While you are apparently listed as a real charity, you cannot be found, or have refused to submit requested financial information to the following watchdog groups: (1) http://www.bbb.org/us/Charity-Reviews/, (2) http://www.charitywatch.org/ (the American Institute of Philanthropy), (3)http://www.charitynavigator.org/, (4) http://www2.guidestar.org/, (5) http://www.charityguide.org/index.htm.  

The American Institute of Philanthropy, the most often cited charity watchdog group, gives your name on their website as an organization that has refused to comply with information regarding your spending of donations.  Until you do so, I will not send you any funds, and I will encourage others not to do so either.  I am active on the web, and I make efforts to inform those who wish to give to charitable organizations to be very cautious about sending money.  Your organization makes my case very well.

Breast cancer charity organizations are exceptionally important to me, as I am a scientist studying breast cancer.  If you are truly helping to solve this problem, you will divulge to the AIP your financial records.  If you are an organization that is preying on the sadness of those whose lives have been touched by breast cancer, or indeed any cancer, you should be ashamed.  

I look forward to your reply,"

Feel free to plagiarize this letter as you see fit.  We need to shut down these organizations that prey on our best desires to help the most vulnerable people in the world, and indeed, the most vulnerable people in our personal lives.  Spread the word.

I got a call tonite and I am tired of scams.  I don't know what the game is but I am going to report it to ATT.

Got a call from 215-383-5551 this morning.  Didn't recognize it, so didn't answer.  No message left on answering machine.

We were not home so we did not answer!  They left no message on the answering machine!  Caller ID gave the number and "name" as PS24.

I will report it to the state attorney general tomorrow.

Person [female] said "Calling for American breast cancer ..." - I immediately told her DO NOT CALL before she had a chance to complete her spiel. The strange area code alerted me that it was not our local organization.

Caller ID showed:

PS24

No message was left.

I was out and saw this call on my caller id.  No message was left.

Just got a call this morning from 215-383-5551 and I didn't pick it up and they left no message.