Cancer charities pocket tens of millions meant for patients

This browser does not support the video element.

By Henry Rosoff

The last two charities accused of using millions meant for cancer patients on lavish purchases have been forced to fold by federal authorities.

Cancer Fund of America Inc. and Cancer Support Services Inc. are two of the charities accused of raising $187 million.  Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson said only $5 million of that went to cancer patients.

The other two charities involved, Children’s Cancer Fund and the Breast Cancer Society, agreed to a resolution in May 2015.

“They were spending money on boats, online dating, I mean this kind of stuff really breaks your heart,” Ferguson said.

Ferguson said $2 million was scammed directly from tens of thousands of generous Washington residents.

KIRO 7 dug through the tax documents for both charities and found millions spent on aggressive telemarketing campaigns to raise money.  Money was distributed, but it appeared to just pass between one bogus charity to another.

To pull the documents, KIRO 7 used http://www.guidestar.org/

But that was just the start.

“In fact they cooked their books in a way to make it look like the money was for a legitimate purpose,” Ferguson.

Ferguson said generally people need to be careful when donating.  Here are some tips from his office:

  • Don't give in to high-pressure solicitations that demand you make an instant commitment.
  • Do your research before giving.
  • Check to see if the charity is registered with the SOS at www.sos.wa.gov/charities/.
  • If the organization is registered, you can review a summary of its tax status and financial records.
  • If the organization is not registered, or you would like further information, contact the SOS Charities Program at 1-800-332-4483.
  • Check the charity's rating by Better Business Bureau at www.give.org/.
  • More resources for donors can be found at www.sos.wa.gov/charities/ResourcesforDonors.aspx
  • Call the charity directly to make sure it has authorized the solicitor to collect donations on its behalf.
  • More information about charity laws in Washington state can be found on the AGO website at www.atg.wa.gov/charities.
  • File a complaint against a charity or fundraiser with the AGO by visiting www.atg.wa.gov and click the "Consumer Complaint" button, or call 1-800-551-4636 between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday.