Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription toAARP The Magazine. AiThority Interview with Lori Anne, Director of Product Development & Management at Verizon, Branded Caller ID: The Pros And Cons In The Battle Against Phone Scams, A New Scam Is Making the Rounds Just in Time for Tax Season, Smishing: The new year is here and so are new scams. Many donors say they believed they were supporting a charity that helps local officers. 25% off sitewide and 30% off select items. Up until the latest tax year when the groups appear to have changed how they categorize certain expenditures the pattern was largely the same from year to year: A small number of families received a couple thousand dollars apiece top employees of the union received more than $100,000 apiece and tens of millions went to telemarketers. PPF has been sued by regulatory agencies in at least six states, including California, Ohio, Illinois and Missouri, and was fined $463,000. President Trump pardoned the sheriff even after the Department of Justice described Arpaio as being responsible for the worst case of racial profiling in U.S. history. In the wake of tragedies large and small, they pop up like mushrooms after a rain. Our movement is comprised of tens of thousands of Americans from all walks of life who are joined together by their common respect for the rule of law and united in their support for the police officers who put their lives on the line every day in their communities. A special program within the International Union of Police Associations, AFL-CIO.Speaking With One Voice, Moving With One Purpose. Similarly, the Police Coalition of America, which promises "to enact positive change and legislation that protects our citizens as well as our law enforcement," spent $530,000 on . The Better Business Bureau says if anyone calls or knocks asking you to help the police, the best thing you can do is ask them for information before you agree to donate. "Being that it was a recording right off the bat . I received a phone call asking me to donate to National Police Support Fund I was going to give them my debit card number over the phone but changed my mind at the last moment. Also Check: Do You Have To Pay For A Police Report. Political organizations including both the Democratic and Republican parties are nonprofits. How to report a scammer? . Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much The National Police Support Fund is a national coalition committed to promoting the interests of America's. Simple web searches can show that the 'charitable organization' calling either 1 . These Are the 9 Best Charities for Law Enforcement in 2023. The National Association of Police Athletic/Activities League was founded in 1940 and is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. We found a website for them, but it gives very little information about the organization and their mission. An employee who said he previously worked for two companies that raised money for Law Enforcement for a Safer America said that at his more recent job, callers were instructed not to disclose that they were calling on behalf of a super PAC. Find out now: How much do I need to save for retirement? This person spoke broken english and told me to donate using credit card. . The organization also participates in advocacy work to emphasize some of the dangers law enforcement officers face, and the sacrifices they make to protect society. And soon, you say, sure, why not? In about 7 years (through March 2018), the union and relief fund spent a total of approximately $102.3 million, of which $82.3 million went towards fundraising. As an example, he cites former Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Maricopa County in Arizona. But whats the truth. The Committee for Police Officers Defense, the telemarketers who called me, applied for tax exemption in California. The vast majority of donations since 2019 were under $200, meaning the funds came from tens of thousands of donors. The National Police Support Fund has a website and even a Facebook page to make them look legit, but hundreds of articles pop up from sources like the Better Business Bureau, The National Police Foundation and more warning people NOT to donate to this organization. Leaving politics aside for a minute, how do you know if those calls are legitimate? Groups like Antifa and Black Lives Matter have inspired people to assassinate cops on the street. A hustle is like the 70s disco dance. Recently, the District Attorney's office was made aware of calls from nearby area codes claiming to support local officers injured in the line of duty. Recommended Reading: How Many Hours To Become A Police Officer, Read Also: What Education Do I Need To Be A Police Officer. Virginia incorporation papers show James Fotis is president of the Alliance and changed the name to the Defense Coalition. The Police Unity Tour was founded in 1997 by Patrick Montuore, a police officer from New Jersey. I recently took about a dozen of these police-support calls to hear the pitches. The latter is the name of the PAC I found earlier that had raised $3.2 million in contributions. Of those who gave more than $200, which are required to be disclosed to the federal government, roughly 80% were retirees, according to an analysis of the data. National Police Support Fund - Alexandria, VA. An elderly man in Trenton, Mi., received a dire letter that warned of the greatest threats to our public safety in our nations history. One hit wonders seeking to cash in on the tragedy of the day from floods and fires to missing children and more. Wendy is fine with that and will sleep better now. The rule of law is being eroded in our communities, and we need true Americans to stand up and join voices in support of the public servants who keep us safe. It appears there are a number of nonprofits up and running under the apparent control of Fotis. With this in mind, the midterm election saw a new partnership between us, the National Police Support Fund, and the. proudly complies with state regulations and required disclosures. Campaign finance data, however, shows that about 98% of the money spent is not being used for this mission. One Daughters Fight Against Charity Fraud, Exclusive Walgreens Cash rewards for members, AARP Travel Center Powered by Expedia: Vacation Packages, Members save when booking a flight vacation package, AARP Identity Theft Protection powered by Norton, Up to 53% off comprehensive protection plans, AARP Online Fitness powered by LIFT session, Customized workouts designed around your goals and schedule, SAVE MONEY WITH THESE LIMITED-TIME OFFERS. The websites describe his career in law enforcement and his role as the creator of the police officers safety act legislation carried by former San Diego Congressman Randy Duke Cunningham. He was super pushy trying to get me to donate for 75,95, 105 dollars. Multiple attempted calls from one number. Busse said he and his sister took over their fathers finances last year. Simple: less scrutiny. In a complaint to the Federal Trade Commission, another woman, whose name was redacted, said she received multiple calls from the National Coalition for Police and Troopers, one of the super PACs various aliases. If the potential donors suspected they had given to the group before, the callers were instructed to say: I have no way of knowing because we feel that donations are given from the heart, not the hand, so we keep all donation records confidential, according to the FAQ. 7:35 AM EDT, Fri October 16, 2020. And Law Enforcement for a Safer America appears to be cashing in. Getting 3 to 5 calls a day from 315-410-0874 phone number. We support police officers who risk their lives daily protecting our communities. In the first half of 2021, this organization reported donations of $4.3 million; expenditures were just under $4.2 million, the bulk of this going to overhead fundraising, lawyers, lead lists and so on. Many of these names could easily be confused with public charities, such as Autism Speaks, National Association of Police Organizations, or Veterans Assistance Foundation. Continuously redirected to the toll free number provided which cut out each time it was listed. The FTC and charity regulators and law enforcement officials in every state have teamed up on more than 100 actions against dozens of fake charities, which have collected tens of millions of . I told him that I had some questions for him before I would donate. Instead, theyre independent, expenditure-only political action committees, or super PACs. Just as you sit down to dinner, the phone rings and the caller asks for a donation. The NPAs immigration proposalAuthorizing local law enforcement officers to perform federal immigration law enforcement functionsis based on fear-mongering and a clear recipe for abuse and division. Type of a scam Charity. The charitys programs focus primarily on education, mentorship, and athletic activities that empower youth. Please reload the page and try again. Not authorized by any candidate or . Fake joke to start out. The VIRGINIA POLICE FUND is an advocate on behalf of law enforcement to ensure they receive adequate funding for proper training and equipment and to inform the public about the issues facing law enforcement.. Virginia's law enforcement officers are some of the best trained officers in the world, however, with the limited resources of local communities, outside professional training is . National Police Support Fund is dedicated to providing a united voice for true Americans who support our nation's law enforcement officers. But whats the truth. On 12/30/2018, I received a call from (862) 333-2411 from a man with a deep voice and a southern accent, who identified himself as Dan, if I would like to make a donation to the National Police Trust Fund. An IRS report was filed on July 26. The Greenfield, Massachusetts, police department warned about the group last year as well. The tour began with 18 members of law enforcement, who rode from New Jersey to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C. Their impact and transparency ratings: The Police Unity Tour holds a Financial rating of 84 out of 100 from Charity Navigator. Here are a few ideas to help you give safely: Con artists refer to what they do as a hustle. I quickly identified over 70 super PACs with police or law enforcement in their names. So what happened to the other approximately 33% of . The websites describe his career in law enforcement and his role as the creator of the police officers safety act legislation carried by former San Diego Congressman Randy Duke Cunningham. That means of a $35 donation, no more than $3.50 goes to their stated cause, highest-volume phone messages in most major U.S. markets. Super PACs are able to raise unlimited amounts of money, which they can use to advocate for political candidates or causes. Together, the Law Enforcement Officers Relief Fund and the International Union of Police Associations, AFL-CIO, have spent about $82.3 million 77 percent of their operating expenditures on fundraising services from around 2011 to March 2018, according to a Public Integrity analysis of annual tax returns filed with the Internal Revenue . In fact, former employees of these types of fundraisers have testified about how they used soundboard technology to play prerecorded messages as responses, in part so they could talk to several donors at once. If you are still not sure if your money is really going to the cause, call your local police or fire department and ask how you can donate to them. The case has not yet been resolved. A union receptionist also confirmed to CNN that the super PAC is run by the union, but union leaders did not respond to repeated calls, voicemails and emails that laid out the concerns from other police departments and donors and asked why so little of the $10 million raised went toward political activities. Now those same anarchists that rioted and assaulted law enforcement officers are using the Taliban playbook by destroying public statues and monuments while advocating for defunding law enforcement agencies, a narrator states in a video from July, as protests continued across the country. It appears their lack of transparency regarding where the money goes was the reason for the BBB caution. This comes at a time when some community activists have been calling for defunding the police. President Trump pardoned the sheriff even after the Department of Justice described Arpaio as being responsible for the worst case of racial profiling in U.S. history. The PTRF/LEORF was created to provide specialized relief when, tragically, a law enforcement officer is killed in the line-of-duty or seriously injured in . The union has recently claimed to have more than 100,000 members, but the IUPA has reported around 20,000 members in tax filings. Msg&data rates may apply. But almost no one was helped. At the end of 2021, robocalls raising money for police groups were the highest-volume phone messages in most major U.S. markets, according to Nomorobo, a robocall-blocking company that works with AARP on fraud prevention. Law enforcement has a tough enough job without having to put up with charlatans masquerading as heroes. Law Enforcement for a Safer America officials did not return repeated requests for comment. Just want you notified that they are calling on area code 203 #s in CT now. FEC filings show that of the group's minimal political spending, most has gone toward pro-Trump advertising such as billboards. Your email address will not be published. When a solicitor for one of these groups calls a prospective donor the pitch will include the truthful statement that they are a nonprofit organization. Other policies that the NPA promotes include aggressive stop-and-frisk tactics and broken windows policingstrategies that have resulted in unconstitutional practices that undermine civil liberties. Learn about the latest anti-police movement, Download our 2022 police ballot measures analysis, Download our 2022 law enforcement support guide, Virginia Election Ad by National Police Support Fund, Pro-Police Organizations Worked Together to Get Out the Vote & Boosts Conservative Turnout in NoVa, https://nationalpolicesupportfund.com/terms-of-service/. I recently took about a dozen of these police-support calls to hear the pitches. (Santa Rosa, Calf.) Learn more about how we use cookies in our cookie policy. Required fields are marked *. While there are no requirements dictating the percentage of money that must go toward political activities, campaign finance expert Rob Pyers has dubbed the group a Scam PAC because of its high operating expenses and negligible political spending. The fund is the third in a series of outrageous attempts by founders David Dierks and Phil LeConte to extort money from generous Americans under the pretext of donations to the nation's police forces. And some are outright scams. For more information, please see our On each call, my questions about how donations got spent mostly went unanswered. We use the funds raised from these activities to support elected officials, candidates, and organizations whose goals and values align with our own. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. It was raising money using four different police-oriented names (one association, two coalitions and one support fund). Unable to verify the federal tax ID, redirected to a toll-free number. It was raising money using four different police-oriented names (one "association," two "coalitions" and one "support fund"). It was found that only 2.7% of donations to the relief fund actually went to the families of fallen officers. These callers typically use language that suggests they are charities raising money directly for local police. Our free newsletter is delivered at 8 a.m. daily. Last month the National Police Association (NPA) filed an ethics complaint against Rachael Rollins, the new district attorney for Suffolk County, Massachusetts (who recently . An image from Law Enforcement For A Safer America PAC's Facebook page. Charities face relatively rigorous review from the Internal Revenue Service, and most states require them to register before they can operate there. Im calling on behalf of the National Save the Police Fund,* the voice on the phone told me. Individual officers can also become members, according to its website. Discovery Company. The Committee for Police Officers Defense, the telemarketers who called me, applied for tax exemption in California. In researching the organizations, I discovered numerous similar-sounding names for PACs raising funds for police officers. We'll send you the top local news stories every morning at 8 a.m. By clicking subscribe, you agree to share your email address with Times of San Diego to receive our free newsletter and breaking news alerts. While several recordings uploaded online show that some callers have briefly mentioned the term PAC or have said that the group is supporting efforts to elect lawmakers to advocate for certain issues, the Montana attorney general wasnt the only person to say the group hadnt identified itself as required. Across the industry, calls are computer-generated before being routed to telemarketers, something Politicause and TPFE employees said allowed their firms to maximize the number of calls and to pester people repeatedly. Contributions are not tax deductible. You read that correctly. Our movement is comprised of tens of thousands of Americans from all walks of life who are joined together by their common . The robot voice saying the call would be recorded for record purposes sounded so real but it was just him. The result: a rise in super PACs that use sympathetic-sounding causes primarily to line their own pockets (the FEC has called this subset scam PACs). In two words, its not. We highly encourage our followers to verify who they are making donations to when contacted for fundraisers.. Email us: watchdog@cnn.com. National Police Support Fund is a national political organization organized under Section 527 of the IRS Tax Code. Read our full report on the organization here, https://bit.ly/3xMbldo. Instead, theyre independent, expenditure-only political action committees, or super PACs. In this case, the pitch was for money for helping police officers in the continuing war against cops.. At the end of 2021, robocalls raising money for police groups were thehighest-volume phone messages in most major U.S. markets, according to Nomorobo, a robocall-blocking company that works with AARP on fraud prevention. Stated that donations were not tax-deductible. National Police Support Fund is a grassroots political organization that is committed to aligning the interests and needs of police officers with the public's issues and concerns within the national political process. "As Pennsylvanians look to support [] Most of the money raised went to telemarketing 87 percent and other expenses. The BBB said days later, the New Jersey State Police photo had been removed from the site. Below are a few tips for screening for legitimate charities. Read Also: What Are The Best Police Boots, Read Also: How Do I Become A K9 Police Officer. It's always a variation of the above name. It appears there are a number of nonprofits up and running under the apparent control of Fotis. Email Blake Ellis and Melanie Hicken. Can the police officers count on you?. Ive become suspicious after reading what they had to say . generic photos, there is no real content validating that they do anything to actually support the police. Read Also: What Are The Steps To Becoming A Police Officer. We won't use your email for any other purpose, and you can opt out at any time via an unsubscribe link. Please do your homework and avoid scams and misleading appeals for your hard-earned money.. Their impact and transparency ratings: The National Association of Police Athletic/Activities League has an Accountability and Transparency score of 92 out of 100 from Charity Navigator. Follow John on Instagram @johnmataresemoney, For more consumer news and money saving advice, go to www.dontwasteyourmoney.com. Up to June 2020, only 2% of the groups spending went toward political activities mainly for advertisements supporting President Donald Trumps reelection, according to data filed with the FEC. They would have soundboards with prerecorded bits that would play and give the impression they were talking to a live person but in reality it was just someone playing bits off a soundboard, he said. She had noticed the term PAC on receipts she received in the mail but thought that meant the charities were working together and had a pact to support the police cause she believed in. A different privacy policy and terms of service will apply. The National Police Support Fund. This beacon provides an assessment of a charity's financial health (financial efficiency, sustainability, and trustworthiness) and its commitment to governance practices and policies. "But I'm sure there are a lot that are not on the level, so you kind of have to be cautious," she said. We are just passing along the information if you get a suspicious call asking for money for police officers.. So I would like to say just beware of scammers , Ive copied the letter I received so in hopes that people will know not to donate unless you are 109% sure it not a scam. The IRS has pretty broad rules for being a nonprofit organization. So we can Verify, National Coalition for Police and Troopers is a site owned by a PAC, isn't a charitable organization. National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. Its been a tough couple years for local law enforcement. After I rejected he offered some booster donations of 15,25, 35 dollars to Goodwill or other organizations. And it's very easy to catch the eye of someone.". Has anyone else recently seen an uptick and calls from various police support organizations? According to the complaint, DPSF conned people into donating more than $9.9 million. He said his father has always leaned heavily Democratic, supported President Barack Obama and previously expressed strong anti-Trump views. In the report, National Police Support Fund reported about $61,000 in . The solution, the letter says, is clear: Give our law enforcement officers the crime prevention tools they need. Lots of different special interest groups are nonprofits, including some private businesses that pay their executives quite well. SCAM: National Police Support Fund donation. I have asked 5 times to be removed from their call list, but they are still constantly calling, at this point it is harassment and it needs to STOP! If you want fundraisers to stop calling, ask them to put you on the charitys do not call list. I asked if the donation was tax-deductible and he said no but could not elaborate as to why that was. If it is a scam they are awfully convincing on the phone but are also rather forceful. The application also included the name Police Officers Defense Coalition, as well as the Police Officers Defense Alliance. Sara Kemerer of the Cincinnati BBB says you should look them up at the bureau's website, www.bbb.org, or at Charity Navigator.org, or Guidestar.org. A 5 On Your Side viewer got one of those calls recently, asking him to support the National Police and Troopers Association.But before saying yes, he called us to ask if it was legit. Operators who are so susprised it's scam. So have we all. If they are PACs, the fundraising effort is politically motivated and wont necessarily support San Diego-area officers or deputies or their families. There was an error and we couldn't process your subscription. There have been calls circulating from a Police Officers Support Association asking for credit card donations. The result: a rise in super PACs that use sympathetic-sounding causes primarily to line their own pockets (the FEC has called this subset scam PACs). Being a generous person, she agreed to mail them $50. When I googled the fund, a BBB caution was the first result. POLICING THE MOST DANGEROUS CITY IN THE COUNTRY: What do Chicago's LEO's and citizens think? This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. We strive to engage the public through political grassroots activity to support political interests that promote officer's interests. The fundraisers connection to the charity. I said no i was told I would be sent a pledge form. I later learned the organization is based in Fairfax, VA, and is a political action committee, or PAC. The union has previously come under fire for hiring allegedly deceptive telemarketers and costly fundraising efforts that benefited its own organization and a police charity it operates. Founded in 1978, NAPO is the strongest unified . 4 talking about this. But these telemarketers bombarding our phone lines? highest-volume phone messages in most major U.S. markets, A caregiver discovers questionable charities are targeting her parents for their money, Join AARP for just $9 per year when you sign up for a 5-year term -43% off the standard annual rate, Access exclusive discounts, programs, & services, Double down with a FREE second membership. She verified my information and repeatedly asked me to promise to mail it back as soon as I received it. Terms & conditions/privacy policy apply https://nationalpolicesupportfund.com/terms-of-service/, Contributions to the National Police Support Fund are not tax deductible. I've asked them repeatedly to stop calling this typically results in additional calls back to back from different numbers. Three other IUPA executives earned more than $100,000 apiece during fiscal 2017-2018. Did you encounter any technical issues? UPDATE 2020-10-29: Another new call from 585-206-3552 with a similar pre-recorded voice auto-responder identifying as 'Jeff Scott' with the National Police Support Fund. Here is the BBB caution: https://www.bbb.org/stlouis/news-events/bbb-warnings/2017/national-police-support-fund/, https://www.bbb.org/stlouis/news-events/bbb-warnings/2017/national-police-support-fund/. Filed Jan. 29, 2020, 3:45 p.m. GMT. I received a call today from someone from The National Police Support Fund, who claimed to be collecting money for a drive. A Warner Bros. Also in Massachusetts, a Wilmington police officer received a call soliciting donations. Our officers deserve our respect and support, the Super PACs website reads. Another charity that should come with a "donator, beware" sign is the Police Protection Fund. It wasnt the usual automated call, and hearing a human voice kept me on the line. The organization began as a service program providing mentorship and outreach activities to youth as a way to combat juvenile crime. As our conversation continued, the caller would lower the amount of funding he was requesting. : r/Scams. And cops are facing increasing disrespect on the streets as criminals have become emboldened by the wave of anti-cop rhetoric in the news media and by many politicians. He seemed okay with it. They are the tragi-charities. In telemarketing calls, DPSF fundraisers told people that donations would be used for grants to disabled officers and to the families of officers slain in the line of duty. That is equivalent to 2.7 percent of the $2.7 million the organization raised from donors that year, according to its federal tax return. Many legitimate charities support local firefighters and police, active duty military, and veterans, or their families.