Unfortunately charities are allowed under the DNCR. Because of this I believe people have set up fake organizations in a effort to get around the DNCR so the can trick people into donating.
413-241 numbers are in BERKSHIRE COUNTY, Massachusetts; Specifically PITTSFIELD, MASS. Springfield is AT LEAST an HOUR's Drive away at HIGHWAY speeds. NOT the same county, although they do have the same area code (413).
Pittsfield is a SMALL, RURAL-Urban city of LESS THAN 44,000 people.
There is *NO* ~~OFFICIAL~~ Office of "The Breast Cancer Society" here IN PITTSFIELD. Therefore, this number is either SPOOFED to LOOK like a 'local' number -OR- they are using a LOCAL TELEMARKETING COMPANY to SPAM people. (We do, unfortunately, have those SCUMBAGS here.) EITHER WAY, this is NOT A LEGIT collection of funds.
SPOOFING IS ILLEGAL and Donating via a TELEMARKETER means that 80-96% of you money goes to the FOR-PROFIT TELEMARKETER, *NOT* the Charity; which MAY or MAY NOT even be REAL. Just cause they USE the name doesn't mean it really them that are calling!
DON'T BE FOOLED. ***NEVER*** Donate to ANYONE over the phone. Find REAL addresses and MAIL your donations in, if you are so inclined. THAT'S how to put these SCUMMY TELEMARKETERS OUT OF BUSINESS!
Yup... got a call tonight too. Nothing was stated on caller ID other than Springfield MA. Since I live in MA too I picked up.
Very well spoken woman asked to speak to my husband (asked for him by name). He wasnt home so I asked if I could be of help. "Oh we are looking to speak to either of you!"
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Goes on to tell me about their org, raising funds for breast cancer, treatments and travel for those that need it. "So may I put you down for a pledge and send you our form?" No, I told her, you may not put me down for a pledge but you can send me informatuon so I can learn more about about the charity and then decide if I should donate"
She kept pushing and I pushed back. She finally said that they couldnt send anything out without a commitment. (Serious red flag) and then said they had a min donation of $15 (another red flag).
When I asked her for the name of the company again to look into it further she got flustered wouldnt answer and hung up.
As the others have reported, my call was from BREAST CANCER S. It's tempting to answer because of the local area code, but I didn't. Be aware: The Tampa Bay Times ran a story last week about the 100 worst charities in the US. Most of the money they collect goes toward solicitation. Many send a fraction of 1% (!!!) to the actual organization. Several charities on the list had names that included "breast cancer." (Many others were for children, disabled vets, and police and firefighters.) They want to prey on our feelings of guilt if we would choose not to support such worthy causes. Do NOT give any money to these telemarketers. Give generously to those in need, but choose your charities carefully and give the money directly.