Cancer charities accused of $187-million in fraud

Four nationwide cancer charities are accused of bilking consumers out of more than $187-million.

The Federal Trade Commission says the following four so-called charities are shams: Cancer Fund of America, Cancer Support Services, Children's Cancer Fund of America, and the Breast Cancer Society, which had a donation shop in Delaware County.

According to the FTC, these phony charities claimed your donations would directly help cancer patients, even paying for things like wigs for children undergoing chemotherapy.

But instead the FTC says executives used the vast majority of the $187-million on themselves and their families.

"There's no end to greed in our society; that is just horrendous because people out of the goodness of their heart are trying to help awful diseases," Wendy Foreman of Center City said.

The Federal Trade Commission says the so-called charities solicited fraudulent donations a number of ways including phone calls, mail, and websites.

The Children's Cancer Fund of America, Inc. alone took in more than $30-million from 2008 to 2012.

Its claim was "you're helping children with hospice equipment, medical supplies, and medication."

The Breast Cancer Society said you're "providing direct help and financial aid."

But the FTC says the vast majority of money donated was spent on cars, Vegas trips, luxury cruises, college tuition, gym memberships, jet ski outings, sporting event and concert tickets, and even dating site memberships.

The Breast Cancer Society ran one of two Hope Supply Stores out of the 3900 block of Miller Road in Edgemont, Delaware County.

The Society claimed to have helped thousands of breast cancer patients by offering all kinds of donated items out of the store.

But the FTC complaint says the claims were exaggerated.

The Hope Supply Store was closed when we visited Tuesday, but people at the adjacent businesses said they were shocked to hear this news.

Under the proposed settlement orders, the executives of these groups are banned from fundraising and charity management. Children's Cancer Fund of America, Inc. as well as The Breast Cancer Society, Inc. will be dissolved.

But on its website, BreastCancerSociety.org, the executive director says he and the organization have not been found guilty of any allegations of wrongdoing. He writes, "Our board will work tirelessly to maintain the Hope Supply program services that have benefited our many patients for years."

More Information: FTC.gov