Alondra

Several years ago, I decided to see how everybody was getting my name, so when I'd make a donation, I'd do it in one name, say A. Smith; to another Ann Smith; to another A.B. Smith; Ann B. Smith; A. Betty Smith; and all the variations in spellings I could think of. That way I could keep a paper trail of who used which name, and most likely who was sellling my name to whom. It got so bad, I started refusing them all, and in the case of the more aggressive ones - especially those who used MY phone for THEIR purposes - I'd use their postage-paid envelopes to send them a nasty note telling them why I wasn't donating. Didn't take long to stop the nonsense. Now the problem is telephone calls. I'm on both the Texas No-Call and the National No-Call lists, and it makes precious little difference. They call anyway, because many use rotary dialers that call the next number, whatever it is, regardless of whether it's on the No-Call lists. And I've started not answering calls that aren't fully identified, number and name, and if I don't recognize them, I also don't answer. This could cause some confusion, but that's ok - if they really need me, they'll call back. I'm getting mean in my old age. <G>

Try these to check out charities before you donate, to be sure your money is going where it is most helpful:
http://www.charityfacts.org/fundrais...charities.html
http://www.charitywatch.org/articles/cancer.html
http://www.charitychoices.com/checkout.asp
Lots more like this on the internet!