This would allow me a chance to talk to your wife about considering further contributions. The rest of the money has gone primarily to the firms helping it solicit donations including nearly $3 million in payments to one telemarketing company sued by the government last month for allegedly using deceptive tactics. I quickly identified over 70 super PACs with police or law enforcement in their names. 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. National Association of Police Athletics/Activities League. Dozens of fake charities scammed donations for veterans the pocketed Did you encounter any technical issues? One woman received a call from the . A warning tonight about a phone and mail scam asking for donations. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. The matter now heads to the Senate, where the disapproval resolution may pass if every Republican plus rebellious Democratic Senator Joe Manchin (W.Va.) support the effort. Some tips for consumers: Listen carefully for the name of the organization. Just want you notified that they are calling on area code 203 #s in CT now. He said he wanted a contribution for the police department and man and women who are fighting to protect us. 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. 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 . Alexandria, VA. National Police Support Fund and United Police Fund came together this November to urge Northern Virginians to get out the vote in, National Police Support Fund, Inc.Office/Mailing Address:2800 Eisenhower Drive Suite 220Alexandria, VA 22314, Donation Processing Center:PO Box 26248Alexandria, VA 22313-2648, Phone: (571) 364-6520Email: info@nationalpolicesupportfund.com, By providing your phone number, you are consenting to receive calls and SMS/MMS msgs, including autodialed and automated calls and texts using prerecorded voice, to that number from the National Police Support Fund. The National Police Support Fund has a website and even a Facebook page to make them look legit, but hundreds of articles pop up from sources like the Better Business Bureau, The National Police Foundation and more warning people NOT to donate to this organization. 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! Msg&data rates may apply. and our Investigation: Is National Police Support Fund actually a massive scam In the wake of tragedies large and small, they pop up like mushrooms after a rain. That link will take you to Illinois, where I live. If you want fundraisers to stop calling, ask them to put you on the charitys do not call list. 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 national political organization organized under Section 527 of the IRS Tax Code. Hispanic Federation (New York City) Abandoned Children's Fund. Discovery Company. Three other IUPA executives earned more than $100,000 apiece during fiscal 2017-2018. 4 talking about this. "The National Police Support Fund is neither a 501(c)3 nor a 501(c)4 organization, but rather a political organization organized under Section 527 of the IRS Tax Code. 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. 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. Whether the website is from the same sector as nationalpolicesupportfund.com or not, you can report it to the Federal Trade Commission. HARRISBURG Attorney General Josh Shapiro is warning Pennsylvanians to be on the lookout for bogus fundraising calls that purport to benefit the families of Martin F. Mack and Branden T. Sisca, the two fallen Pennsylvania State Police troopers tragically killed in the line of duty on I-95 South in Philadelphia. 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. Virginia Police Fund That means of a $35 donation, no more than $3.50 goes to their stated cause. BBB Advises Potential Donors to be Cautious If Solicited by the How 'Scam PACs' reap millions in the name of heart-tugging causes This comes at a time when some community activists have been calling for defunding the police. 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. And the Morton Police Department in Illinois posted on Facebook about calls from a mysterious phone number with a local area code last year. Recommended Reading: How Many Hours To Become A Police Officer, Read Also: What Education Do I Need To Be A Police Officer. So, the next time you get this call, hang up. We do not support nor do we condone this group, the post stated. Each organization says it is spending money for police officers being abused and unfairly targeted. Its made up of series of regular steps timed to the beat of the music that can be improvised as needed. I confronted him that if they were legit, why it was that they are labeled as a scam operation. nationalpolice.org. Woman suspicious after calls to help police. Scam PACs? Two Groups Claim To Support Vets And Cops While - Forbes 2019 - The South African Department of Employment & Labour Disclaimer PAIA Instead, theyre independent, expenditure-only political action committees, or super PACs. Enter address: This website, like most media sites, uses small files called cookies to anonymously customize the advertising that you see. As a result, he had a positive outlook on military and all law enforcement officers, Busse said, but he never expressed any particular interest in supporting the police through financial donations.. How to Verify a Military or Veteran Charity is Real 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/. He also wanted to highlight law enforcements hard work across the country. 50 Worst Charities in America: How to Keep From Getting Scammed proudly complies with state regulations and required disclosures. 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 . Getting calls from police charities? - KNXV 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. The Committee for Police Officers Defense, the telemarketers who called me, applied for tax exemption in California. 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. 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. 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. Instead, theyre independent, expenditure-only political action committees, or super PACs. 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. Authorities issue warning about pro-police mail scam - The Union 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. Asking for donations to the National Police Support Fund. Home - NPTA Donations Can the police officers count on you?. 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. So have we all. 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. But whats the truth. I told him that there is no such thing as a National Police Trust Fund. Here are some things you can do to avoid donating to a fake charity: Pay attention to the charity's name. 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. He could not answer. He gave a range of donations to be made . It was found that only 2.7% of donations to the relief fund actually went to the families of fallen officers. Javascript must be enabled to use this site. The union has recently claimed to have more than 100,000 members, but the IUPA has reported around 20,000 members in tax filings. For example, in 2019, nearly 90% of the organizations income was spent on its programming. The first thing I noticed was that I wasnt talking to live people; the answers all sounded scripted and recorded. Police charity caution: How to know if it's a scam - WCPO It was raising money using four different police-oriented names (one "association," two "coalitions" and one "support fund"). With everything that's happening this pandemic year, people are getting more and more calls to support their local police. Join AARP for just $9 per yearwhen you sign up for a 5-year term. You can find more information about "who is the National Police Support . 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 answer is that, in many cases, these arent charities at all. Tax records show the Fotis organization that phoned me raised $75,000 in 2021, up from $50,000 the year before. Donating to help police or other first responders 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. Law Enforcement for a Safer America officials did not return repeated requests for comment. The fund is a real nonprofit organization, but it is a political group created "primarily to influence the selection, nomination, election, appointment or defeat of candidates to federal, state or local public office. The Police Are Always Asking For Money But Where Does That Money Go 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. Up to June 2020, only 2% of the groups spending went toward political activities mainly for advertisements supporting President Donald Trumps reelection, according to data filed with the FEC. That way, you avoid all of . The solution, the letter says, is clear: Give our law enforcement officers the crime prevention tools they need. On 10/29/20 a man called to get pledges for national police support fund. Its been a tough couple years for local law enforcement. I later learned the organization is based in Fairfax, VA, and is a political action committee, or PAC. The National Police Association files amicus brief opposing Oregon's attempt to criminalize law abiding gun owners. The cause sounds worthy: Please support your local firefighters (or police officers), the caller implores. But almost no one was helped. Published Sara Kemerer of the . 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. Virginia incorporation papers show James Fotis is president of the Alliance and changed the name to the Defense Coalition. 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. "So I really want to support the police for what they do.". 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. 2023 Cable News Network. If you require additional information, then call us 1-800-247-4872 or email us at: 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 5), donations are not tax deductible pursuant to IRC 170(c. A copy of our latest financial report may be obtained by writing to: The International Union of Police Associations, 5632 Bee Ridge Road, Suite 200 Sarasota, FL . Phone Calls for Donations to the Police Could be a Scam - AARP Consumer Protection. I told him that I had some questions for him before I would donate. Just hang up. Find out now: How much do I need to save for retirement? What To Know Before Donating To Help First Responders, Active Duty Please reload the page and try again. Wendy is fine with that and will sleep better now. POLICING THE MOST DANGEROUS CITY IN THE COUNTRY: What do Chicago's LEO's and citizens think? The man on the other end of the phone is asking for money for the protection of police officers. Do police call for donations? - JacAnswers This beacon provides an assessment of a charity's financial health (financial efficiency, sustainability, and trustworthiness) and its commitment to governance practices and policies. 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. Go to their website and give there or call the number listed. Wow! National Police Grassroots Organization Releases 2022 Law Enforcement Ways to contribute: You can contribute to the Police Unity Tour by donating through their website. proudly complies with state regulations and required disclosures. Our officers deserve our respect and support, the Super PACs website reads. The Committee for Police Officers Defense, the telemarketers who called me, applied for tax exemption in California. As our conversation continued, the caller would lower the amount of funding he was requesting. I asked him where the money goes. The Police Officers Defense Alliance, for example, raised $3.2 million in 2020, and The American Police Officers Alliance raised $4.3 million. 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 . With tales of woe and heartbreaking images of children or helpless animals, they beg for assistance. The National Police Support Fund is a national coalition committed to promoting the interests of America's. For more information, please refer to the IRS definition of Political Organization. According to an analysis by The Center for Public Integrity (CFPI), the names of some of these "scam PACs" are listed below. What should we investigate next? 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. Legitimate charities can be checked on websites such as www.guidestar.org. Ask if the donation is tax-deductible. These Are the 9 Best Charities for Law Enforcement in 2023. He paused for a few seconds and said "okay, bye" and hung up the phone. I did not feel comfortable giving the information over the phone . Groups like Antifa and Black Lives Matter have inspired people to assassinate cops on the street. 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 .