Attorney General Josh Kaul, along with the Federal Trade Commission and nine other states, have filed a complaint against the Cancer Recovery Foundation International, also known as Women’s Cancer Fund, and its operator, Gregory B. Anderson, for deceiving donors who sought to offer financial support to women battling cancer and their families.
"Those who solicit charitable donations must use the money they raise appropriately," stated Attorney General Josh Kaul regarding the deceptive practices of Women’s Cancer Fund in misusing donations intended to support cancer patients.
Samuel Levine, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, expressed that "Cancer Recovery Foundation International and Anderson abused the generosity of American donors in the most egregious way," emphasizing the serious nature of the allegations against the charity and its operator.
The complaint alleges that Women’s Cancer Fund collected over $18 million from donors between 2017 and 2022, with only a tiny fraction of that amount actually going towards financial support for cancer patients. The majority of the funds were reportedly used to pay for-profit fundraisers and Anderson himself.
The deceptive tactics employed by Women’s Cancer Fund included misleading phone solicitation pitches and solicitation letters, which misrepresented the true use of the donated funds. Despite previous enforcement actions against fundraising companies hired by Women’s Cancer Fund, the complaint asserts that Anderson continued the deceptive practices.
The complaint, filed in federal court, accuses Women’s Cancer Fund and Anderson of violating the FTC Act, the Telemarketing Sales Rule, and state consumer protection laws. The FTC, along with several states, is actively working to protect donors and legitimate charities from fraudulent activities.
Consumers are advised to research charities thoroughly before donating and can find resources on how to donate safely and avoid scams on the FTC’s website. The FTC's efforts aim to promote fair business practices, combat fraud, and educate consumers on protecting themselves from deceptive schemes.