To promote the prevention of juvenile crime and violence by building relationships among kids, cops and community through positive engagement. . The recording says it is "Kenneth Allen from the National Police Support Fund" and they are asking for donations. Big corporations dispute sponsoring a Florida police charity that 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. Hispanic Federation (New York City) Abandoned Children's Fund. Nonprofit however does not mean they are a charity. 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. She said she was told the group was a charity benefiting police and troopers. The National Police Support Fund. 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. We highly encourage our followers to verify who they are making donations to when contacted for fundraisers.. Our movement is comprised of tens of thousands of Americans from all walks of life who are joined together by their common . The organization began as a service program providing mentorship and outreach activities to youth as a way to combat juvenile crime. Contributions made to National Police Support Fund are not tax-deductible. We support police officers who risk their lives daily protecting our communities. I've asked them repeatedly to stop calling this typically results in additional calls back to back from different numbers. A special program within the International Union of Police Associations, AFL-CIO.Speaking With One Voice, Moving With One Purpose. 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. But as I learned, these callers are masters at evading any such disclosure. In researching the organizations, I discovered numerous similar-sounding names for PACs raising funds for police officers. 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/. The National Police Association files amicus brief opposing Oregon's attempt to criminalize law abiding gun owners. 25% off sitewide and 30% off select items. . 2023 Cable News Network. Phone Calls for Donations to the Police Could be a Scam Tax records show the Fotis organization that phoned me raised $75,000 in 2021, up from $50,000 the year before. The scenario is all too familiar. Scam PACs? Two Groups Claim To Support Vets And Cops While - Forbes Learn how vehicle tech like blind spot warnings and drowsy driving alerts can help make driving safer. 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 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. If you are still not sure if your money is really going to the cause, call your local police or fire department and ask how you can donate to them. American Association of State Troopers claims to support retired state troopers. 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. Msg&data rates may apply. 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 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 Better Business Bureau conducted an investigation and found . 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. 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. Scam Alert: Don't Fall for Phony Firefighter Fundraisers - AARP One very common hustle is the name game. Getting 3 to 5 calls a day from 315-410-0874 phone number. For more information, please see our All Rights Reserved. Department of Employment and Labour "So I really want to support the police for what they do.". Verify: Law enforcement charity phone calls - KSDK By choosing the . 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. One woman received a call from the . Are robo-calls from the 'Committee for Police Officers' Defense' (aka 9 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. Email Blake Ellis and Melanie Hicken. He of course provided a non-reassuring answer with no defence when the jig was up, and ended the call. Individual officers can also become members, according to its website. 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. FAQs: Who is the National Police Support Fund? Our free newsletter is delivered at 8 a.m. daily. They are the tragi-charities. For anyone interested in supporting law enforcement, experts say, think local. proudly complies with state regulations and required disclosures. She verified my information and repeatedly asked me to promise to mail it back as soon as I received it. PPF has been sued by regulatory agencies in at least six states, including California, Ohio, Illinois and Missouri, and was fined $463,000. "But I'm sure there are a lot that are not on the level, so you kind of have to be cautious," she said. 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. Recommended Reading: How To Become A Desk Police Officer, Also Check: Can Police Help Me Unlock My Car. Mostly they are the products of individual scammers who smell an opportunity to cash in using the name of a victim who may or may not even be real. 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. AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that empowers people to choose how they live as they age. While there are no requirements dictating the percentage of money that must go toward political activities, campaign finance expert Rob Pyers has dubbed the group a Scam PAC because of its high operating expenses and negligible political spending. Key battles deserve tight alliances. Just want you notified that they are calling on area code 203 #s in CT now. Another useful fact: Organizations that file reports with the FEC have to list a treasurer. 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. Best and Worst Charities for Your Donations - Consumer Reports What should we investigate next? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. I did not feel comfortable giving the information over the phone . So, the next time you get this call, hang up. Law Enforcement for a Safer America officials did not return repeated requests for comment. 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. It appears there are a number of nonprofits up and running under the apparent control of Fotis. 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. With this in mind, the midterm election saw a new partnership between us, the National Police Support Fund, and the. SCAM: National Police Support Fund donation. And it's very easy to catch the eye of someone.". 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. 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." Eagerly he asked if I was comfortable with that amount. 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. Fraud Alert: Calls Soliciting Donations for the "National Policing Below are our favorite charities for law enforcement: National Police Foundation. Why does this matter? A hustle is like the 70s disco dance. Do police call for donations? National Police Grassroots Organization Releases 2022 Law Enforcement AARP Membership - LIMITED TIME FLASH SALE. I confronted him that if they were legit, why it was that they are labeled as a scam operation. I later learned the organization is based in Fairfax, VA, and is a political action committee, or PAC. The application also included the name Police Officers Defense Coalition, as well as the Police Officers Defense Alliance. Sadly, it comes down to their choice of words during a pitch; its unlawful to misrepresent how the money will be spent. While some donors believe they are donating to . Virginia incorporation papers show James Fotis is president of the Alliance and changed the name to the Defense Coalition. The latter is the name of the PAC I found earlier that had raised $3.2 million in contributions. So what happened to the other approximately 33% of . nationalpolicesupportfund.com Review - Scam Detector 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. Consumer Protection. National Association of Police Athletics/Activities League. 2. 7:35 AM EDT, Fri October 16, 2020. Please note that many legitimate local (and unaffiliated) police foundations and organizations may solicit donations from local communities via telephone and mail. This all looks very peculiar, said Richard Briffault, a professor at Columbia Law School who specializes in campaign finance. National Police Support Fund is a national political organization organized under Section 527 of the IRS Tax Code. Government documents show that the founding treasurer is currently an executive at the International Union of Police Associations. . Even if you like the idea, how do you know the call is legitimate? If you want to donate money for your police or fire department, send your contribution to the local sheriff or chiefs directly. I was contacted in Wilton, CT by representatives of the National Police Support Fund. 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.. A warning tonight about calls targeting people around the Tri-State asking them to help support the police. 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. The call came to Get Gephardt to investigate who exactly it is that's making those calls. 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. Pro-Police Organization Isn't a Legit Charity, BBB Warns Simple web searches can show that the 'charitable organization' calling either 1 . 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. Many of these names could easily be confused with public charities, such as Autism Speaks, National Association of Police Organizations, or Veterans Assistance Foundation. It also transferred $30,000 to another pro-police super PAC that the union operates, based on the officers listed on its filings. @GunOwners. At times, I thought they were maybe misguided, he said. 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 . On its donate page, the NPA boasts of its work to preserve the American way of life and fight back against cop-haters. 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. Is National Police Support Fund Legit - KnowYourPolice.net Our officers deserve our respect and support, the Super PACs website reads. Law enforcement has a tough enough job without having to put up with charlatans masquerading as heroes. 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. To find out more about these organizations, I probed the FEC website, where super PACs report their activity. I quickly identified over 70 super PACs with police or law enforcement in their names. I asked him where the money goes. An image from Law Enforcement For A Safer America PAC's Facebook page. I received a call today from someone from The National Police Support Fund, who claimed to be collecting money for a drive. 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. 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. Authorities issue warning about pro-police mail scam - The Union Read our full report on the organization here, https://bit.ly/3xMbldo. Busse said he and his sister took over their fathers finances last year. Charity hustles work the same way. The union is run by a retired police detective, and it is affiliated with the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), the countrys biggest federation of unions, which did not respond to requests for comment. Phone Calls for Donations to the Police Could be a Scam - AARP This would allow me a chance to talk to your wife about considering further contributions. 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. One of the more successful scams is when the scammer poses as one of many charities benefitting Law Enforcement. 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. The Greenfield, Massachusetts, police department warned about the group last year as well. The solution, the letter says, is clear: Give our law enforcement officers the crime prevention tools they need. Did you encounter any technical issues? Find Best Charities To Donate | Charity Ratings, Reviews And that is likely the point. I received a call today from someone from The National Police Support Fund, who claimed to be collecting money for a drive. Being a generous person, she agreed to mail them $50. I asked him if the organization supports Donald Trump. A warning tonight about a phone and mail scam asking for donations. National Association of Police Athletic/Activities Leagues. 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. According to an analysis by The Center for Public Integrity (CFPI), the names of some of these "scam PACs" are listed below. (Santa Rosa, Calf.) proudly complies with state regulations and required disclosures. How 'Scam PACs' reap millions in the name of heart-tugging causes In fact, they count on the confusion to gather contributions. This policy has been repudiated by a significant number of law enforcement leaders, whose experience has led them to conclude that it would make their communities unsafe. You read that correctly. But almost no one was helped. So we can Verify, National Coalition for Police and Troopers is a site owned by a PAC, isn't a charitable organization. The usual claiming they were legitimate. Bass, who set up several other super PACs, declined to comment. 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. 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.. Learn more about how we use cookies in our cookie policy. National Police support fund - Shack Feel Gotten calls like this? 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. Investigation: Is National Police Support Fund actually a massive scam Virginia Police Fund 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 initially solicited $95 and eventually said he would accept a $15 contribution as an offer of goodwill on my part. 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.