Received a call from "Amanda" - said that she was with Corporations for Character and the Breast Cancer Assistance Fund. Could she count on me for a $30 donation? Since I had never heard of either of these two organizations, I told her I was going to research them first, and had a question for her. What percentage of every dollar goes directly to the charity? My outright astonishment at her answer of "5%" - and would I like to sign up for the package today? When I asked for further clarification, she claimed to be new, and that all management were tied up on the phones. She could schedule someone to call me back, or place me on a "do not call list" (which I am already supposed to be on). In researching both organizations, they appear to be totally false and misleading. Telemarketers taking money and preying on the words "breast" and "cancer" for a quick donation. Be careful-

I just got a call about the Cancer Fund. I hung up, then called the caller ID number. I appreciate that they don't block their caller ID and that their workers are "nice." But the fact remains, this is not a charity. It's a business that has no reason for existing except to take your money.

I believe that "nice" is just a new tactic on an old scam, prompted by the FCC's recent changes in regulations regarding telephone scams, and increased government prosecutions of offenders. The new "nice" is their response to increased awareness and policing activity. That still doesn't make them honest.

It is by my personal definition a species of scam. Was I rude to the fellow who answered the phone, who claimed his name is Larry? Yes. Was Larry nice? Yes. Do I have any qualms of conscience about asking Larry for his home phone and address? No. Of course, Larry did not give me his home phone and address. When I asked if that was fair, considering he had just told me he could find out my own phone and address from his phone system, Larry said I wasn't being polite. These people are leeches.

Let me add that going to the website of Cancer Fund of America yields little in the way of contact information. I have been unable to uncover an email address for this cancer fund. Their donations must all be electronic, as far as I have pursued the issue. The website is way overactive and rather uninformative. I have not looked closely at their financials, available on the site, but I would not contribute to this organization simply because they hide behind the kind of protective barrier that I, as a homeowner, do not have. They can harass me, but I cannot even email them or call them on the phone.

That's not right!