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This comes at a time when some community activists have been calling for defunding the police. Type of a scam Charity. Nonprofit however does not mean they are a charity. This person spoke broken english and told me to donate using credit card. The union has recently claimed to have more than 100,000 members, but the IUPA has reported around 20,000 members in tax filings. Go to their website and give there or call the number listed. Use a search engine to look for " your state + charity list ". 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 . Our movement is comprised of tens of thousands of Americans from all walks of life who are joined together by their common . Sadly, it comes down to their choice of words during a pitch; its unlawful to misrepresent how the money will be spent. 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. Whether the website is from the same sector as nationalpolicesupportfund.com or not, you can report it to the Federal Trade Commission. It also transferred $30,000 to another pro-police super PAC that the union operates, based on the officers listed on its filings. Has anyone else recently seen an uptick and calls from various police support organizations? Here are some things you can do to avoid donating to a fake charity: Pay attention to the charity's name. Busse said he and his sister took over their fathers finances last year. Lots of different special interest groups are nonprofits, including some private businesses that pay their executives quite well. 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. She verified my information and repeatedly asked me to promise to mail it back as soon as I received it. . And Law Enforcement for a Safer America appears to be cashing in. So have we all. 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. After further investigation, they are not approved by the better business bureau and they have nothing but horrible reviews . A Warner Bros. We strive to engage the public through political grassroots activity to support political interests that promote officer's interests. The Police Unity Tour was founded in 1997 by Patrick Montuore, a police officer from New Jersey. Follow John on Instagram @johnmataresemoney, For more consumer news and money saving advice, go to www.dontwasteyourmoney.com. See the metrics below for more information. But their website and solicitations are designed to look and sound like Make a Wish. 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. Our Police, Firefighters, and all First Responders do need our support. Stated that donations were not tax-deductible. If you want to donate money for your police or fire department, send your contribution to the local sheriff or chiefs directly. Terms & conditions/privacy policy apply https://nationalpolicesupportfund.com/terms-of-service/, Contributions to the National Police Support Fund are not tax deductible. 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. As our conversation continued, the caller would lower the amount of funding he was requesting. The National Police Association is a 501(C)3 non-profit organization, IRS NTEE classification code B01, Alliance/Advocacy Organizations, within the Educational . again. Watch out for a new "police support fund" 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. ', 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. Ways to contribute: You can contribute to the Police Unity Tour by donating through their website. 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. . 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. I was contacted in Wilton, CT by representatives of the National Police Support Fund. When I googled the fund, a BBB caution was the first result. Required fields are marked *. First Responders Children's Foundation. I found a few small line items labeled legislative services, but none that appeared to go directly to supporting police. One hit wonders seeking to cash in on the tragedy of the day from floods and fires to missing children and more. (Santa Rosa, Calf.) He could not answer. It sounded like the solicitor was calling from a boiler room, where individuals dial from a list of working phone numbers. The latter is the name of the PAC I found earlier that had raised $3.2 million in contributions. 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. 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. Eagerly he asked if I was comfortable with that amount. Dont send your money to a national group collecting for causes that may not always be clear. 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. But as I learned, these callers are masters at evading any such disclosure. The International Union of Police Associations and its related organizations go by more than a dozen different names, including the Police Officers Support Association and the National Emergency Responders Coalition. On its donate page, the NPA boasts of its work to preserve the American way of life and fight back against cop-haters. In the case of National Police Support Fund, we accept contributions and make expenditures in order to influence the selection, nomination, election, or appointment of candidates to federal, state, and local offices. The National Police Association files amicus brief opposing Oregon's attempt to criminalize law abiding gun owners. Do police call for donations? By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. And soon, you say, sure, why not? 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 a wife of a police officer this is absolutely disgusting! she stated. The fundraisers connection to the charity. 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. Ive become suspicious after reading what they had to say . 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. 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. 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. The usual claiming they were legitimate. For example, a very well known and respected group is the Make a Wish Foundation. He said his father served in the Navy for nearly two decades and was always proud of his service. The scenario is all too familiar. Privacy Policy. I received a call today from someone from The National Police Support Fund, who claimed to be collecting money for a drive. They do disclose, however, that of the nearly $10 million raised, the super PAC gave more money back to the union roughly $350,000 for office, operational and overhead expenses than the $173,500 it spent on political activities between January 2019 and June 2020. Its made up of series of regular steps timed to the beat of the music that can be improvised as needed. The call was spoofed to appear to be from [a] Montana phone number, he wrote, noting that the caller did not identify the group as a political action committee, or super PAC, and telling his followers that it was not a nonprofit so donations are not tax deductible. I got a call from them saying it was the time of year to start up the donation drive, and the phone operator tries his best to kay in with a guilt trip to get you to "donate." Email Blake Ellis and Melanie Hicken. 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. Contact us: contact@knowyourpolice.net, SCAM: National Police Support Fund donation, How To Get Insurance Information From Police Report, Is National Police Association Legitimate, How Many Years Of College To Become A Police Officer, Do You Need A Degree To Become A Police Officer, What Are The Steps To Becoming A Police Officer, How Many Hours To Become A Police Officer, What Education Do I Need To Be A Police Officer, How Do You Know If The Police Are Investigating You. In the report, National Police Support Fund reported about $61,000 in . Law Enforcement for a Safer America has raked in nearly $10 million in donations from January 2019 to June 2020 . What they do: ThePolice Unity Tour raises funds and awareness for members of law enforcement who lost their lives during their service. Being a generous person, she agreed to mail them $50. On 11/4 another local call came it was the same man! For anyone interested in supporting law enforcement, experts say, think local. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. The group's videos have received few views, but money has been pouring in. "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. . To raise awareness of Law Enforcement Officers who have died in the line of duty. The answer is that, in many cases, these arent charities at all. Help us grow with a monthly contribution. The super PAC said on Facebook in September that it had placed this billboard in multiple locations throughout Wisconsin and that more would be coming. He also wanted to highlight law enforcements hard work across the country. Not authorized by any candidate or . For more information, please refer to the IRS definition of Political Organization. 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. How much do I need to save for retirement? I did satisfy my rather small donation at their website https://nationalpolicesupportfund.com . Also Check: How To File A Police Report For Id Theft, You May Like: How Do Police Deal With Homeless. 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 man on the other end of the phone is asking for money for the protection of police officers. Recommended Reading: How Many Hours To Become A Police Officer, Read Also: What Education Do I Need To Be A Police Officer. It only means they do not seek to make a profit on their activities. 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). The National Association of Police Athletic/Activities League was founded in 1940 and is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. We use the funds raised from these activities to support elected officials, candidates, and organizations whose goals and values align with our own. The National Association of Police Athletic/Activities League was founded in 1940 and is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. Here are a few ideas to help you give safely: Con artists refer to what they do as a hustle. 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. The Wilmington Police Department has no association with this organization and we have never even heard of them, stated a May release from the department. They are the tragi-charities. I asked if the donation was tax-deductible and he said no but could not elaborate as to why that was. Today, the organization has over 300 chapters across the country working to create positive change in local communities. 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. With tales of woe and heartbreaking images of children or helpless animals, they beg for assistance. What can we learn from the latest Coinbase cyberattack? Some tips for consumers: Listen carefully for the name of the organization. He initially solicited $95 and eventually said he would accept a $15 contribution as an offer of goodwill on my part. 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. The vast majority of donations since 2019 were under $200, meaning the funds came from tens of thousands of donors. 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. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription toAARP The Magazine. Oh, god, she said upon being contacted by CNN and learning how the money was spent, Im supposed to be smart, but boy was I a dope.. It's always a variation of the above name. He said he ultimately left because he didnt feel like he was supporting the charitable efforts he had hoped to seeing a shift toward fundraising for PACs instead of charities and observing how little of the money went to the causes callers were touting. Below are a few tips for screening for legitimate charities. The call came to Get Gephardt to investigate who exactly it is that's making those calls. We won't use your email for any other purpose, and you can opt out at any time via an unsubscribe link. 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 . Its been a tough couple years for local law enforcement. The I.U.P.A. I asked him if the organization supports Donald Trump. 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. BREAKING The House just voted to block Biden's woke ESG rule, which would let Wall Street use your retirement savings to fund left-wing political causes. You read that correctly. 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 . 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. Your email address will not be published. A secretive political group has been pulling in millions of dollars in recent months amid a growing Blue Lives Matter movement, with a cadre of telemarketers urgently telling Americans that now is the time to support the police and keep them safe. We support police officers who risk their lives daily protecting our communities. I told him that I had some questions for him before I would donate. We found a website for them, but it gives very little information about the organization and their mission. And some are outright scams. 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. 25% off sitewide and 30% off select items. Gifts to actual charities are donations to PACs, which sometimes sound like charities, are not. Never disclose personal information. Or follow the simplest rule: Never give to anyone over the phone, said Margot Saunders, senior counsel for the National Consumer Law Center. "My brother was a police officer, my cousin was a cop and one of my sons is a cop," she said. As Smarter Giving notes, what is actually supports is the bank balances of its chief executives. Javascript must be enabled to use this site. 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. 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. Recommended Reading: How To Become A Desk Police Officer, Also Check: Can Police Help Me Unlock My Car. . AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that empowers people to choose how they live as they age. 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. The Police Officers Defense Alliance, for example, raised $3.2 million in 2020, and The American Police Officers Alliance raised $4.3 million. The recording says it is "Kenneth Allen from the National Police Support Fund" and they are asking for donations. These charities usually rake in a few thousand dollars and disappear. 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. It was raising money using four different police-oriented names (one "association," two "coalitions" and one "support fund"). Contributions are not tax deductible. The robot voice saying the call would be recorded for record purposes sounded so real but it was just him. The National Police Support Fund. 7:35 AM EDT, Fri October 16, 2020. 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 . Copyright 2023 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. I also learned that they were sued in the biggest FTC case in history. 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. The latter is the name of the PAC I found earlier that had raised $3.2 million in contributions. 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. National Police Support Fund is a national political organization organized under Section 527 of the IRS Tax Code. Woman suspicious after calls to help police. Free online workshop! What should we investigate next? To find out more about these organizations, I probed the FEC website, where super PACs report their activity. 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. 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.