It's pretty likely that the formula companies are acquiring addresses in
ways that are 100% legal.  (Why go to the trouble of doing it illegally,
when doing it above board is so easy and accessible, right?)

Some examples of where they get their info:

-Websites like the Bump (that was already mentioned), BabyCenter, Babyzone,
WebMD, etc-.. Basically any of the "your pregnancy week by week" type sites
have that info and are apt to sell it. (The sites I listed may or may not
have done this; I'm just giving examples of the types of sites that are
collection points for personal info, that could have "we're going to sell
your info" clauses buried deep in their TOU.)

-You know the grocery store, baby store, etc- loyalty programs? The tag they
give you for your keychain that gets you store discounts is also tracking
all your purchases. That means when a mom buys diapers at the grocery store,
the formula companies can buy that information. So even if a mom is
diligently trying NOT to have that information go to the formula companies,
it's pretty likely that her transactions are being recorded and that
information is being shared/sold.

Those are just a couple, of course. It seems like one way or another,
they're going to get their hands on that info.

Best,
Amy West, CLC

On Fri, Jul 15, 2011 at 6:44 PM, Kevin & Anne O'Donnell <
[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> I recently discovered another place where my info is leaked. My youngest is
> 3 but my oldest daughter just had a baby and the birth center accidently
> billed our family insurance for her birth and baby. The insurance company
> denied all of her bills (as they were supposed to) but they accepted the
> bills for our grandson and keyed it in that he was my husbands son, so by
> default mine. We finally got the mix up fixed. A couple of weeks later I had
> formula in my mailbox. I know the birth center didn't do it and I certainly
> didn't register anywhere or give my info when buying gifts. So,I'm pretty
> sure it was my health insurance company and I couldn't be more aggravated.
> Mimi O'Donnell RN, IBCLC
>
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