The Maryland attorney general is part of a new lawsuit against a women’s cancer charity accused of deceiving donors.
The Women’s Cancer Fund is accused of raising more than $18 million and only donating one penny of every dollar.
Alisa Bralove-Scherr, deputy director of the Mediation Unit of the Maryland attorney general’s Consumer Protection Division, said scams come in all forms and that includes charity.
“Scammers work year-round. They are there to take your money whenever you’re going to give it to them,” Bralove-Scherr told 11 News.
According to court documents obtained by 11 News, phone calls and letters went out over five years representing the Women’s Cancer Fund.
In a new lawsuit, the Maryland attorney general joins the secretary of state, the Federal Trade Commission and other states in claiming the man running the “sham” charity, Gregory Anderson, has been deceiving people.
Tax filings reveal less than $195,000 actually went to support cancer patients as promised. Instead, Anderson was paying himself four times the amount, the court documents allege.
“They also have to report how much money is actually going to the functions of the mission versus what may be spent on salaries or other things. So, find that out before you give,” Bralove-Scherr said.
Anderson is also accused of using donations for hotels, traveling and for-profit fundraisers.
The complaint claims Anderson has collected millions over decades from various cancer charities while providing little to survivors.
Experts said that’s why it’s vital donors do research before giving money.
“Slow down. Don’t feel rushed. If you get a phone call that’s very aggressive asking you to give money, you can hang up. Don’t feel bad about that,” Bralove-Scherr said. “For scammers, that’s their full-time job, taking your money.”
Bralove-Scherr said there are red flags to look for with charity scams that include the following tips.
– Never pay with a gift card or wire money.
– Make sure the donation is made over a secure website.
– If it’s a phone call, ask for more information on the organization and then review that information before donating.
Consumers looking for more information about how to donate safely and avoid charity scams can find it on the FTC’s website.
To find out if a charity is registered to solicit in Maryland, check the secretary of state’s public registry. More information about charities can be found on the secretary of state’s charity website.
To report other suspected violations of charitable giving laws, call the Maryland Secretary of State’s Office at 410-974-5534 or 800-825-4510.
For tips on smart giving, read the Maryland Attorney General’s Office’s Consumer Protection Division’s publication, Consumer’s Edge: Charitable Giving Tips.
