But none of the money being raised actually goes to police departments, according to government records. 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. 4 talking about this. The calls, which often target elderly donors, come from a variety of generic and similar-sounding aliases: The Police Officers Support Association, the National Emergency Responders Coalition and the National Coalition for Police & Troopers. This comes at a time when some community activists have been calling for "defunding" the police. The Greenfield, Massachusetts, police department warned about the group last year as well. The filings dont show how much the groups officials are directly benefiting from the political committee it created, and it is unclear why the group deemed it necessary to create so many different aliases to use for soliciting donations. 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. The scenario is all too familiar. You are now leaving AARP.org and going to a website that is not operated by AARP. appreciated. Charity hustles work the same way. Whoops! 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. I said I do not donate over the phone, he said I did not need to they would mail me a pledge kit. Follow John on Instagram @johnmataresemoney, For more consumer news and money saving advice, go to www.dontwasteyourmoney.com. 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. I confronted him that if they were legit, why it was that they are labeled as a scam operation. For example, in the tax year that ended March 2018, the Law Enforcement Officers Relief Fund gave 11 families an average of $6,545 apiece. The National Policing Institute, a national, Washington, D.C.-based non-profit organization dedicated to advancing policing through science and innovation, has received information from several individuals who have been contacted by solicitors asking for donations in support of the "National Policing Institute," or in some cases the "National Police Fund," which we are not affiliated . 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. Three other IUPA executives earned more than $100,000 apiece during fiscal 2017-2018. Some telemarketers who claim to be raising money for causes like homeless veterans and cancer victims work for political action committees , not charities, and keep much of the money they raise. 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. National Police Support Fund is a grassroots political organization that is committed to aligning the interests and needs of police officers with the publics issues and concerns within the national political process. He could not answer. FEC filings show that of the group's minimal political spending, most has gone toward pro-Trump advertising such as billboards. I also learned that they were sued in the biggest FTC case in history. Dont send your money to a national group collecting for causes that may not always be clear. She remembers news stories two years ago, about 67-year-old Jerry Hinkle, a Cincinnati man who raised thousands of dollars for the Shop with a Cop program, then admitted in court that he spent it on personal expenses (the case ended with a plea agreement). Filed Jan. 29, 2020, 3:45 p.m. GMT. But then she started to worry, especially when she couldn't find the group listed as a charity anywhere online. The caller said he was phoning on behalf of the Committee for Police Officers Defense. This section is used to influence public opinion in support of the interests of . Fundraising calls are allowed even if your number is on the National Do Not Call Registry. 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. For example, a very well known and respected group is the Make a Wish Foundation. On 10/29/20 a man called to get pledges for national police support fund. Asking for donations to the National Police Support Fund. Just want you notified that they are calling on area code 203 #s in CT now. 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/. Campaign finance data, however, shows that about 98% of the money spent is not being used for this mission. 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/. What should we investigate next? "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. 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 . According to the complaint, DPSF conned people into donating more than $9.9 million. Three calls to his Virginia office for comment have gone unanswered as well as an email sent directly to his address listed in his filings with California. Only one replied directly: 90 percent went to fundraising, and 10 percent went to police support. After further investigation, they are not approved by the better business bureau and they have nothing but horrible reviews . 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. It was raising money using four different police-oriented names (one association, two coalitions and one support fund). Getting 3 to 5 calls a day from 315-410-0874 phone number. Several donors said they never would have given money to the group if they knew it would pay for Trump advertisements, including 70-year-old Susan Durie, a self-described bleeding heart liberal Democrat from Los Angeles who donated around $600 and said she felt like a victim of a scam since she thinks she was misled into believing that her donation would go to local police. Read Also: What Are The Steps To Becoming A Police Officer. 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. And that is likely the point. National Police Support Fund is a national political organization organized under Section 527 of the IRS Tax Code. The website soliciting funds for Arpaio says, Liberals have targeted Sheriff Joe Arpaio with a multi-million dollar lawsuit because he was upholding the law of the land. 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 funds raised during their 4-day long ride are donated directly to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. How much do I need to save for retirement? I did satisfy my rather small donation at their website https://nationalpolicesupportfund.com . Please enable Javascript in your browser and try During the pandemic, a plethora of fraudulent websites came out like a plague. 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. Has anyone else recently seen an uptick and calls from various police support organizations? On each call, my questions about how donations got spent mostly went unanswered. This all looks very peculiar, said Richard Briffault, a professor at Columbia Law School who specializes in campaign finance. 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. 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. We are entering the crucial last minutes of our ongoing struggle to defend police officers. ', Fleeing Suspect Arrested on Trolley After Man Stabbed Multiple Times Downtown, San Diego Neo-Nazi Robert Wilson Suspected in Anne Frank House Incident, Sierra Snowpack Grows to Nearly Double Normal, Easing California Drought, Theatre Week Becomes Theatre Month Enjoy Deals As Low As $15 All Through March, Proudly powered by Newspack by Automattic. And Law Enforcement for a Safer America appears to be cashing in. Learn how vehicle tech like blind spot warnings and drowsy driving alerts can help make driving safer. 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. So we can Verify, National Coalition for Police and Troopers is a site owned by a PAC, isn't a charitable organization. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Virginia incorporation papers show James Fotis is president of the Alliance and changed the name to the Defense Coalition. We use the funds raised from these activities to support elected officials, candidates, and organizations whose goals and values align with our own. 25% off sitewide and 30% off select items. Leaving politics aside for a minute, how do you know if those calls are legitimate? . The calls asking for donations come from aliases like the Police Officers Support Association and The National Coalition for Police & Troopers. In a nationwide, federal-state crackdown on fraudulent telemarketers claiming to help police, firefighters, and veterans, the Federal Trade Commission, together with 61 Attorneys General, Secretaries of State, and other law enforcers of 49 states and the District of Columbia, today announced Operation False Charity. At least seven local police departments from around the country and a state attorney general have issued scam alerts and other notices about these fundraising efforts, warning residents in their communities as recently as this summer that they have no affiliation with this group. One of the more successful scams is when the scammer poses as one of many charities benefitting Law Enforcement. A warning tonight about calls targeting people around the Tri-State asking them to help support the police. If you have been contacted via telephone and asked to make donations to the National Police Foundation in Washington, D.C., this is a scam. These Are the 9 Best Charities for Law Enforcement in 2023. I received a call today from someone from The National Police Support Fund, who claimed to be collecting money for a drive. She verified my information and repeatedly asked me to promise to mail it back as soon as I received it. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. Busse said he and his sister took over their fathers finances last year. Claire Reiss, 79, said she thought the more than $2,000 she donated would go to injured police and their families, but that she stopped giving away her money when the calls just wouldnt stop. 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. The Better Business Bureau is warning about an organization that calls itself the National Police Support Fund which, despite soliciting contributions from St. Louis-area donors, isn't . The Police Unity Tour was founded in 1997 by Patrick Montuore, a police officer from New Jersey. Tax records show the Fotis organization that phoned me raised $75,000 in 2021, up from $50,000 the year before. 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. He said his father served in the Navy for nearly two decades and was always proud of his service. National Association of Police Athletic/Activities Leagues. and our Marine Toys for Tots Foundation (Triangle, Va.) Committee for Missing Children (Lawrenceville, Ga.) Prevent Child . He instead provided me with their national number. The scripts were designed to give the impression that they were helping out officers versus lobbying efforts, he said, adding that the political affiliation was only fully disclosed when someone proactively asked where the money would be going. . We support police officers who risk their lives daily protecting our communities. 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All Rights Reserved. The organization also has a Gold Seal of Transparency from GuideStar. These callers typically use language that suggests they are charities raising money directly for local police. I asked them to mail me a bill instead and they did , I called the phone number on the letter and did not get a respond so I decided to go to their website . 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 . In fact, as Ive previously , supporting law enforcement and supporting reform movements such as Black Lives Matter are not mutually exclusive. Bass, who set up several other super PACs, declined to comment. 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. by Michelle Diament, April 2008. This Florida-based union touts its federal lobbying efforts on behalf of local members. Get a FREE subscription to AARP The Magazine. One very common hustle is the name game. 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.. 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). Join AARP for just $9 per yearwhen you sign up for a 5-year term. Please note that many legitimate local (and unaffiliated) police foundations and organizations may solicit donations from local communities via telephone and mail. Published The source of the funding information was OpenSecrets, a database that tracks spending in U.S. politics run by the Center for Responsive Politics. 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. Im calling on behalf of the National Save the Police Fund,* the voice on the phone told me. The charitys programs focus primarily on education, mentorship, and athletic activities that empower youth. Local organizations that raise money on behalf of San Diego law enforcement include: Star/Pal for San Diego Police, which provides educational and recreational services for inner-city youth, and the San Diego County Deputy Sheriffs Foundation, which provides support services for sheriffs personnel and families. 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. Concerns of Police Survivors. 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. This would allow me a chance to talk to your wife about considering further contributions. Operators who are so susprised it's scam. 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. The National Police Support Fund is a national political organization organized under Section 527 of the IRS Tax Code. National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. Read Also: What Are The Best Police Boots, Read Also: How Do I Become A K9 Police Officer. Today, the organization has over 300 chapters across the country working to create positive change in local communities. Can the police officers count on you?. Email us: watchdog@cnn.com. Promoting divisive rhetoric is detrimental to the public safety mission that requires any genuine law enforcement organization to be accountable to its constituents. The application also included the name Police Officers Defense Coalition, as well as the Police Officers Defense Alliance. He gave a range of donations to be made . Whether the website is from the same sector as nationalpolicesupportfund.com or not, you can report it to the Federal Trade Commission. Law Enforcement for a Safer America has raked in nearly $10 million in donations from January 2019 to June 2020 . If you want fundraisers to stop calling, ask them to put you on the charitys do not call list. AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that empowers people to choose how they live as they age. @GunOwners. Simple: less scrutiny. Many donors say they believed they were supporting a charity that helps local officers. . Absolutely no legitimate law enforcement backed organization would stoop to this level of begging for money. Our movement is comprised of tens of thousands of Americans from all walks of life who are joined together by their common . Don't Waste Your Money" is a registered trademark of Scripps Media, Inc. ("Scripps"). Instead, theyre independent, expenditure-only political action committees, or super PACs. Law Enforcement for a Safer America officials did not return repeated requests for comment. Groups like Antifa and Black Lives Matter have inspired people to assassinate cops on the street. proudly complies with state regulations and required disclosures. He said his father has always leaned heavily Democratic, supported President Barack Obama and previously expressed strong anti-Trump views. The organization began as a service program providing mentorship and outreach activities to youth as a way to combat juvenile crime. Our grassroots organization was formed under Section 527 of the Internal Revenue Code, which allows us to engage in political activity. . Copyright 2023 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. As an example, he cites former Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Maricopa County in Arizona. 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. Another charity that should come with a "donator, beware" sign is the Police Protection Fund. The I.U.P.A. 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. Why does this matter? Once it was blocked through my service provider, an additional phone number began to call my home multiple times a day. Also Check: How To File A Police Report For Id Theft, You May Like: How Do Police Deal With Homeless. They are the tragi-charities. These callers typically use language that suggests they are charities raising money directly for local police. Wendy Beckman got a call the other day from a man asking her to help retired police and firefighters. Andy Cottam is among the many who received the call. Many legitimate charities support local firefighters and police, active duty military, and veterans, or their families. Law enforcement has a tough enough job without having to put up with charlatans masquerading as heroes. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Political organizations including both the Democratic and Republican parties are nonprofits. Fake joke to start out. National Association of Police Athletics/Activities League. I quickly identified over 70 super PACs with police or law enforcement in their names. Legitimate charities can be checked on websites such as www.guidestar.org. Ask if the donation is tax-deductible. On each call, my questions about how donations got spent mostly went unanswered. Another law enforcement charity that faced disciplinary action was the American Association of State Troopers, which was fined a total of $321,115 in three states - Georgia, Mississippi and Pennsylvania. "But I'm sure there are a lot that are not on the level, so you kind of have to be cautious," she said. Many of these names could easily be confused with public charities, such as Autism Speaks, National Association of Police Organizations, or Veterans Assistance Foundation. Nonprofit however does not mean they are a charity. But almost no one was helped. Please let me know if there are any actions ScamPulse.com suggests I take other than ignore any future requests. Here are some things you can do to avoid donating to a fake charity: Pay attention to the charity's name. Please reload the page and try again. But other charities lie about what they do with donations or how much they spend on programs. That way, you avoid all of . Soft on Crime groups are targeting record numbers of individual law enforcement officers in law suits for police brutality. Did you encounter any technical issues? 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 . The man on the other end of the phone is asking for money for the protection of police officers. 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. 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 IRS has pretty broad rules for being a nonprofit organization. He never would have given money to any group if he knew that some of that money was going to pro-Trump campaign ads, said Busse. "So I really want to support the police for what they do.". With everything that's happening this pandemic year, people are getting more and more calls to support their local police. 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. 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. Tax filings also show that the union operates its own call center and that a company the union controls purchased a nearly 20,000 square foot office building valued at more than $2.5 million, where the union is now based. Pearl S Buck International's stated purpose is to provide opportunities to explore and appreciate other cultures, build better lives for children around the globe and promote the legacy of our founder by preserving and interpreting her National Historic Landmark home. We strive to engage the public through political grassroots activity to support political interests that promote officer's interests. 7:35 AM EDT, Fri October 16, 2020. Wow! According to an analysis by The Center for Public Integrity (CFPI), the names of some of these "scam PACs" are listed below. Our Police, Firefighters, and all First Responders do need our support. 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! 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. These callers typically use language that suggests they are charities raising money directly for local police. Do You Have To Call The Police After An Accident, How Long Does It Take To Get Into Police Academy, How Many People Were Killed By Police In 2020, Where To File A Police Report For Car Accident.
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