The charitys programs focus primarily on education, mentorship, and athletic activities that empower youth. We won't use your email for any other purpose, and you can opt out at any time via an unsubscribe link. These callers typically use language that suggests they are charities raising money directly for local police. You read that correctly. This comes at a time when some community activists have been calling for "defunding" the police. Another useful fact: Organizations that file reports with the FEC have to list a treasurer. Another telemarketing employee reached by CNN in the Philippines confirmed this, saying he solicited money on behalf of the super PAC and the IUPA using audio recordings of someone who sounded like they were actually calling from America, and that most of the people they reached were elderly adding he felt it was a scam because they didnt realize what they were actually donating to. A: A 527 political organization is a party committee, association, fund, or other organization organized and operated primarily for the purpose of directly or indirectly accepting contributions or making expenditures for an exempt function. Gotten calls like this? This comes at a time when some community activists have been calling for defunding the police. We are just passing along the information if you get a suspicious call asking for money for police officers.. Msg&data rates may apply. A special program within the International Union of Police Associations, AFL-CIO.Speaking With One Voice, Moving With One Purpose. "My brother was a police officer, my cousin was a cop and one of my sons is a cop," she said. These callers typically use language that suggests they are charities raising money directly for local police. They count on local press coverage and a quick website. As the list of high-profile police shootings has grown in recent years and calls to defund the police have gotten louder, tensions between protesters and those who have rushed to the support of police some of whom have become part of a Blue Lives Matter movement have been building. Has anyone else recently seen an uptick and calls from various police support organizations? I again was transferred to another person who wanted my credit card info and stated due to covid they wanted to decrease handling and credit cards was the best way to donate. When a charitys fundraiser calls to ask you for a donation, they have to follow some rules: A: We engage in activities aimed at supporting our law enforcement officers and standing up for their rights and values throughout the political process. 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. There have been calls circulating from a Police Officers Support Association asking for credit card donations. Also worth noting is that while his organization is based in Virginia, and gets its mail in Stafford, TX, Fotis lives in Lake Worth, FL. What they do: The National Association of Police Athletic/Activities League aims to minimize juvenile crime through outreach programs that pair officers with youth. National Police Support Fund is dedicated to providing a united voice for true Americans who support our nation's law enforcement officers. National Police Association Inc. has earned a 60% for the Accountability & Finance beacon. Now, the last thing I want to do is discourage you from giving to causes you care about, like supporting police. Even if you like the idea, how do you know the call is legitimate? 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. To find out more about these organizations, I probed the FEC website, where super PACs report their activity. Below are a few tips for screening for legitimate charities. appreciated. It appears there are a number of nonprofits up and running under the apparent control of Fotis. Campaign finance data, however, shows that about 98% of the money spent is not being used for this mission. "The words police and words firefighter are not trademarked," Kemerer explained, "so it is very easy for scammers to use those names and create fake organizations. Instead, theyre independent, expenditure-only political action committees, or super PACs. Are the money-gathering techniques these scam PACs use illegal? Phony Firefighters Scam. So have we all. Published Gas station secured small business bailout money, then paid for Trump billboards, After learning from CNN that his 92-year-old father had given $1,200 to the super PAC, Curt Busse said that the donations were made as his fathers cognitive skills declined, making him a prime target for telemarketers. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. The first one, the texh . The National Police Association is a 501(C)3 non-profit organization, IRS NTEE classification code B01, Alliance/Advocacy Organizations, within the Educational . BIRMINGHAM, Alabama - From unmarked strip-mall offices in small-town Alabama, the calls go out across the United States, meant to talk people into giving . 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 . 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. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. Type of a scam Charity. I received a call today from someone from The National Police Support Fund, who claimed to be collecting money for a drive. As we stated earlier, these 50 charities account for almost $1 Billion in donations. It was raising money using four different police-oriented names (one "association," two "coalitions" and one "support fund"). proudly complies with state regulations and required disclosures. Hope Cancer Fund The Tampa Bay Times and The Center for Investigative Reporting broke the charities up into five main categories: children, cancer, police/law enforcement, veterans, fire and other. For example, a very well known and respected group is the Make a Wish Foundation. I told him that I had some questions for him before I would donate. It's always a variation of the above name. And some are outright scams. Law Enforcement for a Safer America officials did not return repeated requests for comment. First Responders Children's Foundation. The mailing scam, which was identified in a CNN article last fall and had already targeted residents in eastern states including Massachusetts and Wisconsin, asks recipients of the letter to donate $20 to an organization misleadingly calling itself the "Police Officers Support Association, PAC" according to Grass Valley Police Sgt. Andy Cottam is among the many who received the call. It turns out Police and Fire Retirees of Ohio is a legitimate non profit lobbying group, though it is not a charity under IRS rules. The scenario is all too familiar. All Rights Reserved. I told him that there is no such thing as a National Police Trust Fund. He could not answer. The IRS has pretty broad rules for being a nonprofit organization. With tales of woe and heartbreaking images of children or helpless animals, they beg for assistance. The Committee for Police Officers Defense, the telemarketers who called me, applied for tax exemption in California. Our Police, Firefighters, and all First Responders do need our support. 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. 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. The fundraisers connection to the charity. How much do I need to save for retirement? Just change the state to your state and verify the charity is listed with your state attorney general's office, or another regulatory office (each state has different requirements). 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. The former employee, who asked to remain anonymous because of a nondisclosure agreement, said he remembered fundraising companies outsourcing some of the telemarketing overseas to locations like the Philippines, where they relied on recordings instead of live agents. I feel they abuse their use of the name to maybe convey a false sense to the community about who they are and what they really do with the money.. 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. Super PACs generally have far fewer state-level reporting requirements and are regulated by the Federal Election Commission (FEC), which has fewer enforcement options than the IRS. Montana Attorney General Tim Fox posted on Facebook last year about a call he received from Roy on behalf of the National Coalition for Police and Troopers. Police Unity Tour. 25% off sitewide and 30% off select items. She verified my information and repeatedly asked me to promise to mail it back as soon as I received it. A donation of $10, $15 or $25 would help keep . National Police Support Fund is a national political organization organized under Section 527 of the IRS Tax Code. It also concerned him that so many prospects were elderly. We support police officers who risk their lives daily protecting our communities. The charitys affiliation with the government. The Police Officers Defense Alliance, for example, raised $3.2 million in 2020, and The American Police Officers Alliance raised $4.3 million. 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 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 . I came across ScamPulse.com warning people about donating to the NPSF . Marine Toys for Tots Foundation (Triangle, Va.) Committee for Missing Children (Lawrenceville, Ga.) Prevent Child . Just hang up. To raise awareness of Law Enforcement Officers who have died in the line of duty. We highly encourage our followers to verify who they are making donations to when contacted for fundraisers.. Nonprofit however does not mean they are a charity. Getting 3 to 5 calls a day from 315-410-0874 phone number. Ways to contribute: You can contribute to the Police Unity Tour by donating through their website. Many of the other complaints to the FTC about the political committee and its related groups said fundraisers used spoofed numbers and violated the law by calling them even though they were on the Do Not Call list, while others said they had been misled or even harassed by fundraisers. 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. I was contacted in Wilton, CT by representatives of the National Police Support Fund. Among the other warnings: The Miami Township Police in Ohio issued a scam alert in June referencing calls circulating from a Police Officers Support Association asking for credit card donations. The Reading Police Department in Massachusetts described the Police Officers Support Association as a scam charity last year. They improvise and evolve to stay one step ahead of unsuspecting donors. The National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO) is a coalition of police unions and associations from across the United States and was organized for the purpose of advancing the interests of America's law enforcement officers through legislative advocacy, political action and education. The Committee for Police Officers Defense, the telemarketers who called me, applied for tax exemption in California. I later learned the organization is based in Fairfax, VA, and is a political action committee, or PAC. Law Enforcement for a Safer America has raked in nearly $10 million in donations from January 2019 to June 2020 . As a wife of a police officer this is absolutely disgusting! she stated. The vast majority of donations since 2019 were under $200, meaning the funds came from tens of thousands of donors. Wow! One of Fotis websites solicits money for individuals who were guilty of a crime for doing their job the way they were trained to do it. As an example, he cites former Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Maricopa County in Arizona. 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. This would allow me a chance to talk to your wife about considering further contributions. Key battles deserve tight alliances. You read that correctly. I did not feel comfortable giving the information over the phone . With this in mind, the midterm election saw a new partnership between us, the National Police Support Fund, and the. Founded in 1978, NAPO is the strongest unified . Many donors say they believed they were supporting a charity that helps local officers. National Police Support Fund is a national political organization organized under Section 527 of the IRS Tax Code. . We are entering the crucial last minutes of our ongoing struggle to defend police officers. I asked him if the organization supports Donald Trump. Post has been removed or is no longer public. Our movement is comprised of tens of thousands of Americans from all walks of life who are joined together by their common . Many charities that help first responders like police officers and firefighters veterans, and active duty military, or their families, pay fundraisers to call donors or potential donors. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription toAARP The Magazine. Email us: watchdog@cnn.com. Tax records show the Fotis organization that phoned me raised $75,000 in 2021, up from $50,000 the year before. Jessica Levinson, a Loyola Law School professor specializing in campaign finance and political corruption, said the fact that the super PAC had spent such a huge proportion of its contributions on its own expenses was jaw dropping and that it was equally concerning to hear that fundraisers were going after the elderly who they may consider easy marks.. 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. For more information, please refer to the IRS definition of Political Organization. Charity hustles work the same way. Not authorized by any candidate or candidates committee.Paid for by National Police Support Fund, Inc. |Privacy & Refund Policy| Sitemap, Biggest Issues Facing Police Officers Today. According to the complaint, DPSF conned people into donating more than $9.9 million. If you want to donate money for your police or fire department, send your contribution to the local sheriff or chiefs directly. Multiple voices could be heard in the background. Here are a few ideas to help you give safely: Con artists refer to what they do as a hustle. The group's videos have received few views, but money has been pouring in. Law Enforcement for a Safer America has raked in nearly $10 million in donations from January 2019 to June 2020, according to data reported to the Federal Election Commission. Please let me know if there are any actions ScamPulse.com suggests I take other than ignore any future requests. 4 talking about this. 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/. California resident Kellie Van Westen, 69, said she has family members who are law enforcement officers and that she believed the roughly $1,400 she donated since 2019 would help bolster local police budgets and pay for equipment to keep them safe.. Charities face relatively rigorous review from the Internal Revenue Service, and most states require them to register before they can operate there. "As Pennsylvanians look to support [] Recommended Reading: How To Become A Desk Police Officer, Also Check: Can Police Help Me Unlock My Car. Wendy Beckman got a call the other day from a man asking her to help retired police and firefighters. We support police officers who risk their lives daily protecting our communities. by Michelle Diament, April 2008. This particular super PACs treasurer is a former cop who was arrested for stealing $50,000 from the police union for which he served as president. Entire local police unions, which negotiate collective bargaining agreements for their members, can choose to affiliate with the group. 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. Years later, as the success of the program and its activities grew, six chapters on the east coast decided to convene and discuss how athletics could be incorporated into the organizations programs. Learn how vehicle tech like blind spot warnings and drowsy driving alerts can help make driving safer. Wendy is fine with that and will sleep better now. Police Protection Fund. Write the names of the shady businesses in the comments section below, too. Last month the National Police Association (NPA) filed an ethics complaint against Rachael Rollins, the new district attorney for Suffolk County, Massachusetts (who recently . Can the police officers count on you?. Each organization says it is spending money for police officers being abused and unfairly targeted. If you require additional information, then call us 1-800-247-4872 or email us at: [email protected] Your contribution is very much appreciated and although the International Union of Police Association is recognized as a non-profit by the IRS, due to its particular status (501 (c) 5), donations are not tax . What should we investigate next? @GunOwners. They are the tragi-charities. During the pandemic, a plethora of fraudulent websites came out like a plague. She said she was told the group was a charity benefiting police and troopers. 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. Groups like Antifa and Black Lives Matter have inspired people to assassinate cops on the street. The union has recently claimed to have more than 100,000 members, but the IUPA has reported around 20,000 members in tax filings. These Are the 9 Best Charities for Law Enforcement in 2023. 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. He initially solicited $95 and eventually said he would accept a $15 contribution as an offer of goodwill on my part. It said callers were soliciting support for police officers but that the group was actually connected to a political action committee. 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. The National Association of Police Athletic/Activities League was founded in 1940 and is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. In fact, as Ive previously , supporting law enforcement and supporting reform movements such as Black Lives Matter are not mutually exclusive. The first thing I noticed was that I wasnt talking to live people; the answers all sounded scripted and recorded. Stated that donations were not tax-deductible. Eagerly he asked if I was comfortable with that amount. He organized the Police Unity Tour as a fundraising event to honor members of law enforcement who had lost their lives in the line of service. That same tax year, the International Union of Police Associations gave 10 students pursuing advanced degrees in law enforcement an average of $2,500 apiece. But their website and solicitations are designed to look and sound like Make a Wish. Find out now: How much do I need to save for retirement? Legitimate charities can be checked on websites such as www.guidestar.org. Ask if the donation is tax-deductible. This beacon provides an assessment of a charity's financial health (financial efficiency, sustainability, and trustworthiness) and its commitment to governance practices and policies. Our free newsletter is delivered at 8 a.m. daily. . 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. He said he wanted a contribution for the police department and man and women who are fighting to protect us. KENNER, LA (WVUE) - The Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office warns of a scam from the "American Police Officers Alliance" asking for donations for law enforcement. I asked for the number so I could call back after I made my decision and he gave me the 1-866 number and said to call with any questions and thanked me for my time. An image from Law Enforcement For A Safer America PAC's Facebook page. The organization also has a Gold Seal of Transparency from GuideStar. You are now leaving AARP.org and going to a website that is not operated by AARP. Privacy Policy. I did satisfy my rather small donation at their website https://nationalpolicesupportfund.com . He could not answer. Leaving politics aside for a minute, how do you know if those calls are legitimate? The National Police Support Fund. AARP Membership - LIMITED TIME FLASH SALE. The calls asking for donations come from aliases like the Police Officers Support Association and The National Coalition for Police & Troopers. IRS reports show that in 2011 alone, executive director Ken Howles drew an $87000 salary of the little money left over, only around 9-14% made its way into the hands of the troopers. And it's very easy to catch the eye of someone.". The usual claiming they were legitimate. Please reload the page and try again. Filed Jan. 29, 2020, 3:45 p.m. GMT. The National Police Support Fund is a national coalition committed to promoting the interests of America's. "The National Police Support Fund is neither a 501(c)3 nor a 501(c)4 organization, but rather a political organization organized under Section 527 of the IRS Tax Code. The answer is that, in many cases, these arent charities at all. Read Also: What Are The Best Police Boots, Read Also: How Do I Become A K9 Police Officer. Around 200 consumer complaints have also been made to state and federal regulators about the super PAC, its aliases and related groups.

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