Political organizations including both the Democratic and Republican parties are nonprofits. If a charity is forced to move its headquarters to a new state on account of the dodgy dealings and underhand practices its been getting up to in its old home, anyone with any sense should know to keep well away, Unfortunately, the United States Deputy Sheriffs Association is well versed enough in manipulation to convince even the most well-meaning of folk that its still a cause worthy of their support. Even if you like the idea, how do you know the call is legitimate? JW August is a San Diego-based broadcast and digital journalist. The National Police Support Fund. For more information, please refer to the IRS definition of Political Organization. We found a website for them, but it gives very little information about the organization and their mission. 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. Type of a scam Charity. PPF has been sued by regulatory agencies in at least six states, including California, Ohio, Illinois and Missouri, and was fined $463,000. An IRS report was filed on July 26. Instead, their contributions end up with a super PAC, Law Enforcement for a Safer America, which has ties to a controversial union and spends the majority of its money on its own operating costs. Help us grow with a monthly contribution. How much do I need to save for retirement? 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. And some are outright scams. The scenario is all too familiar. Its been a tough couple years for local law enforcement. 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. 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. Tax records show the Fotis organization that phoned me raised $75,000 in 2021, up from $50,000 the year before. proudly complies with state regulations and required disclosures. When I asked which state this drive was for, the caller could not answer and instead said it is for a national charity. With the generous support of readers like you, Times of San Diego publishes timely and accurate news coverage for a better-informed community. 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. "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. And the Morton Police Department in Illinois posted on Facebook about calls from a mysterious phone number with a local area code last year. 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. But these telemarketers bombarding our phone lines? National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. Once it was blocked through my service provider, an additional phone number began to call my home multiple times a day. Can the police officers count on you?. In two words, its not. Ive become suspicious after reading what they had to say . : r/Scams. Below are our favorite charities for law enforcement: National Police Foundation. Our Police, Firefighters, and all First Responders do need our support. A hustle is like the 70s disco dance. But almost no one was helped. What they do: The National Association of Police Athletic/Activities League aims to minimize juvenile crime through outreach programs that pair officers with youth. By choosing the . The I.U.P.A. We support police officers who risk their lives daily protecting our communities. So have we all. I started rifling through my mail as he gave me the same exact spiel this time saying he represented United Police support fund. Don't Waste Your Money" is a registered trademark of Scripps Media, Inc. ("Scripps"). Just as you sit down to dinner, the phone rings and the caller asks for a donation. 4 talking about this. American Association of State Troopers claims to support retired state troopers. Simple: less scrutiny. ThePAC, organized by Zachary Bass, spent 90% of its take on fundraising, campaign filings show. The Better Business Bureau conducted an investigation and found . This section is used to influence public opinion in support of the interests of . Operators who are so susprised it's scam. If it is a scam they are awfully convincing on the phone but are also rather forceful. The National Police Support Fund is a legitimate organization that supports the interests of America's law enforcement officers. 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. 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. Law Enforcement for a Safer America does not disclose on its website who is running the super PAC, but public filings reveal that leaders of one of the countrys largest police unions are pulling the strings. It appears there are a number of nonprofits up and running under the apparent control of Fotis. There was an error and we couldn't process your subscription. The funds raised during their 4-day long ride are donated directly to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. Multiple attempted calls from one number. Read Also: How Do You Know If The Police Are Investigating You. Being a generous person, she agreed to mail them $50. The groups videos have received few views, but money has been pouring in. 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. 7:35 AM EDT, Fri October 16, 2020. Money donated to this group might be used for political purposes and will not be used for direct help to police or troopers, Fox wrote. And soon, you say, sure, why not? The charitys programs focus primarily on education, mentorship, and athletic activities that empower youth. If they are PACs, the fundraising effort is politically motivated and wont necessarily support San Diego-area officers or deputies or their families. Below are a few tips for screening for legitimate charities. The calls asking for donations come from aliases like the Police Officers Support Association and The National Coalition for Police & Troopers. Please note that many legitimate local (and unaffiliated) police foundations and organizations may solicit donations from local communities via telephone and mail. This group purports on various websites that donations are being used to back candidates who will stand up for police and introduce legislation to help officers and provide benefits to families who have lost loved ones in the line of duty. Many legitimate charities support local firefighters and police, active duty military, and veterans, or their families. Use a search engine to look for " your state + charity list ". 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. What they do: ThePolice Unity Tour raises funds and awareness for members of law enforcement who lost their lives during their service. We do not support nor do we condone this group, the post stated. It only means they do not seek to make a profit on their activities. The man on the other end of the phone is asking for money for the protection of police officers. Getting 3 to 5 calls a day from 315-410-0874 phone number. Police Protection Fund. Virginia incorporation papers show James Fotis is president of the Alliance and changed the name to the Defense Coalition. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. Consumer Protection. Lots of different special interest groups are nonprofits, including some private businesses that pay their executives quite well. Bass, who set up several other super PACs, declined to comment. I later learned the organization is based in Fairfax, VA, and is a political action committee, or PAC. I recently took about a dozen of these police-support calls to hear the pitches. The website soliciting funds for Arpaio says, Liberals have targeted Sheriff Joe Arpaio with a multi-million dollar lawsuit (that could even result in jail time) because he was upholding the law of the land.. 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.. Also Check: Do You Have To Pay For A Police Report. 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 . Contributions made to National Police Support Fund are not tax-deductible. 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. . There have been calls circulating from a Police Officers Support Association asking for credit card donations. 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. 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. Virginia incorporation papers show James Fotis is president of the Alliance and changed the name to the Defense Coalition. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. The answer is that, in many cases, these arent charities at all. Read our full report on the organization here, https://bit.ly/3xMbldo. 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 . Law enforcement has a tough enough job without having to put up with charlatans masquerading as heroes. 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. Here are a few ideas to help you give safely: Con artists refer to what they do as a hustle. In this case, the pitch was for money for helping police officers in the continuing war against cops.. But their website and solicitations are designed to look and sound like Make a Wish. 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. This all looks very peculiar, said Richard Briffault, a professor at Columbia Law School who specializes in campaign finance. Copyright 2023 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. So have we all. Many donors say they believed they were supporting a charity that helps local officers. The answer is that, in many cases, these arent charities at all. He initially solicited $95 and eventually said he would accept a $15 contribution as an offer of goodwill on my part. Groups like Antifa and Black Lives Matter have inspired people to assassinate cops on the street. "Being that it was a recording right off the bat . United Police Fund / National Police Fund scam harassment. If you want to donate money for your police or fire department, send your contribution to the local sheriff or chiefs directly. 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. For the record, on their website, it never calls itself a charity or non . According to an analysis by The Center for Public Integrity (CFPI), the names of some of these "scam PACs" are listed below. We are just passing along the information if you get a suspicious call asking for money for police officers.. It also concerned him that so many prospects were elderly. 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 . 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. 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. The IRS has pretty broad rules for being a nonprofit organization. This beacon provides an assessment of a charity's financial health (financial efficiency, sustainability, and trustworthiness) and its commitment to governance practices and policies. The National Police Association files amicus brief opposing Oregon's attempt to criminalize law abiding gun owners. It spent $103,700 on behalf of House candidates about 3% of the total, and it has contributed nothing directly to veterans groups. 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. 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/. He said his father has always leaned heavily Democratic, supported President Barack Obama and previously expressed strong anti-Trump views. The recording says it is "Kenneth Allen from the National Police Support Fund" and they are asking for donations. Marine Toys for Tots Foundation (Triangle, Va.) Committee for Missing Children (Lawrenceville, Ga.) Prevent Child . Enter address: This website, like most media sites, uses small files called cookies to anonymously customize the advertising that you see. Have a problem?Send me an email, at jmatarese@wcpo.com or message me on Facebook. Simple: less scrutiny. Is National police Support Fund legit? Individual officers can also become members, according to its website. Another useful fact: Organizations that file reports with the FEC have to list a treasurer. 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. Clint Bates. In researching the organizations, I discovered numerous similar-sounding names for PACs raising funds for police officers. 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. One woman received a call from the . 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. 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. The National Association of Police Athletic/Activities League was founded in 1940 and is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. Charities face relatively rigorous review from the Internal Revenue Service, and most states require them to register before they can operate there. She said she was told the group was a charity benefiting police and troopers. I did satisfy my rather small donation at their website https://nationalpolicesupportfund.com . 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. We strive to engage the public through political grassroots activity to support political interests that promote officer's interests. He instead provided me with their national number. National Association of Police Athletics/Activities League. 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. Some tips for consumers: Listen carefully for the name of the organization. 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. 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. Most of the money raised went to telemarketing 87 percent and other expenses. "My brother was a police officer, my cousin was a cop and one of my sons is a cop," she said. He was super pushy trying to get me to donate for 75,95, 105 dollars. Founded in 1978, NAPO is the strongest unified . Andy Cottam is among the many who received the call. 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. It's always a variation of the above name. Three other IUPA executives earned more than $100,000 apiece during fiscal 2017-2018. National Police Association Inc. has earned a 60% for the Accountability & Finance beacon. Asking for donations to the National Police Support Fund. This comes at a time when some community activists have been calling for "defunding" the police. The I.U.P.A. again. It sounded like the solicitor was calling from a boiler room, where individuals dial from a list of working phone numbers. Now, the last thing I want to do is discourage you from giving to causes you care about, like supporting police. 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. Ask for information, check sites like Charitynavigator.org and then if it all checks out, write that check. 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. 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. It was found that only 2.7% of donations to the relief fund actually went to the families of fallen officers. Watch out for a new "police support fund" scam. 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. When I asked which state this drive was for, the caller could not answer and instead said it is for a national charity. appreciated. 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. 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. 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. The call came to Get Gephardt to investigate who exactly it is that's making those calls. The pop-up charity business is usually local, occasionally regional and rarely national. Im calling on behalf of the National Save the Police Fund,* the voice on the phone told me. On each call, my questions about how donations got spent mostly went unanswered. 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. 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. 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. They are the tragi-charities. Not authorized by any candidate or . But the groups file financial disclosures with federal regulators under only a handful of names. 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. The organization also has a Gold Seal of Transparency from GuideStar. I've asked them repeatedly to stop calling this typically results in additional calls back to back from different numbers. 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 Police and Troopers Relief Foundation (PTRF) is a special program within the Law Enforcement Officers Relief Fund (LEORF), established by the International Union of Police Associations. 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 . Go to their website and give there or call the number listed. But whats the truth. FEC regulations state that political committees can only deposit a contribution into their account if that money came from a solicitation which expressly states that the contribution will be used in connection with a Federal election or the solicitation discloses that contributions are subject to federal election law. National Police Support Fund brings together Americans from all walks of life united under the banner of respect and support of our nation's law enforcement officers. Our movement is comprised of tens of thousands of Americans from all walks of life who are joined together by their common . 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. Theres just one week to go before the midterm election. 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. Find out now: How much do I need to save for retirement? 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.. Msg&data rates may apply. 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.
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