Other policies that the NPA promotes include aggressive stop-and-frisk tactics and broken windows policingstrategies that have resulted in unconstitutional practices that undermine civil liberties. According to an analysis by The Center for Public Integrity (CFPI), the names of some of these "scam PACs" are listed below. He said his father served in the Navy for nearly two decades and was always proud of his service. by Michelle Diament, April 2008. The Better Business Bureau conducted an investigation and found . It appears there are a number of nonprofits up and running under the apparent control of Fotis. This beacon provides an assessment of a charity's financial health (financial efficiency, sustainability, and trustworthiness) and its commitment to governance practices and policies. 4. National Police Support Fund representatives have been phoning potential donors in the St. Louis area over the past several weeks, including the wife of a retired police officer who said she . If you want fundraisers to stop calling, ask them to put you on the charitys do not call list. 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. 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 . If your phone rings, it's not us. I came across ScamPulse.com warning people about donating to the NPSF . 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. Please note that many legitimate local (and unaffiliated) police foundations and organizations may solicit donations from local communities via telephone and mail. The cause sounds worthy: Please support your local firefighters (or police officers), the caller implores. The calls asking for donations come from aliases like the Police Officers Support Association and The National Coalition for Police & Troopers. Please enable Javascript in your browser and try In fact, as Ive previously , supporting law enforcement and supporting reform movements such as Black Lives Matter are not mutually exclusive. 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. 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! The recording says it is "Kenneth Allen from the National Police Support Fund" and they are asking for donations. 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! Here are some things you can do to avoid donating to a fake charity: Pay attention to the charity's name. 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 Arizona Fraternal Order of Police is a real organization, but protect yourself and ask questions when you receive calls like these. Published 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. About $1.8 million went toward the salaries of union officials, including $199,700 for Cabral, the president. 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. Virginia incorporation papers show James Fotis is president of the Alliance and changed the name to the Defense Coalition. Why does this matter? 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. By choosing the . For anyone interested in supporting law enforcement, experts say, think local. 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. He was donating to anyone who asked him for money, he said. 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. The solution, the letter says, is clear: Give our law enforcement officers the crime prevention tools they need. 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. 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. They count on local press coverage and a quick website. Virginia incorporation papers show James Fotis is president of the Alliance and changed the name to the Defense Coalition. 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 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 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. appreciated. A Warner Bros. 25% off sitewide and 30% off select items. United Police Fund / National Police Fund scam harassment. Email Blake Ellis and Melanie Hicken. . "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. Charities face relatively rigorous review from the Internal Revenue Service, and most states require them to register before they can operate there. Its made up of series of regular steps timed to the beat of the music that can be improvised as needed. With the generous support of readers like you, Times of San Diego publishes timely and accurate news coverage for a better-informed community. When I asked which state this drive was for, the caller could not answer and instead said it is for a national charity. You read that correctly. Is National police Support Fund legit? 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. How to report a scammer? I said no i was told I would be sent a pledge form. In this case, the pitch was for money for helping police officers in the continuing war against cops.. Whoops! 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. Busse said he and his sister took over their fathers finances last year. This includes marketing and outreach to supporters and communities, grassroots political efforts, and digital marketing efforts. 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. 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. It also concerned him that so many prospects were elderly. Post has been removed or is no longer public. I did not feel comfortable giving the information over the phone . Sadly, it comes down to their choice of words during a pitch; its unlawful to misrepresent how the money will be spent. Our movement is comprised of tens of thousands of Americans from all walks of life who are joined together by their common . So we can Verify, National Coalition for Police and Troopers is a site owned by a PAC, isn't a charitable organization. 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. For the record, on their website, it never calls itself a charity or non . Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. We won't use your email for any other purpose, and you can opt out at any time via an unsubscribe link. 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. Key battles deserve tight alliances. The first thing I noticed was that I wasnt talking to live people; the answers all sounded scripted and recorded. Whether the website is from the same sector as nationalpolicesupportfund.com or not, you can report it to the Federal Trade Commission. This Florida-based union touts its federal lobbying efforts on behalf of local members. 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 . Simple web searches can show that the 'charitable organization' calling either 1 . 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. Wendy is fine with that and will sleep better now. Recommended Reading: How Many Hours To Become A Police Officer, Read Also: What Education Do I Need To Be A Police Officer. I started rifling through my mail as he gave me the same exact spiel this time saying he represented United Police support fund. It only means they do not seek to make a profit on their activities. This would allow me a chance to talk to your wife about considering further contributions. 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. How much do I need to save for retirement? 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. Read Also: Do You Have To Call The Police After An Accident, 2021 KnowYourPolice.net "But I'm sure there are a lot that are not on the level, so you kind of have to be cautious," she said. An IRS report was filed on July 26. The recording says it is "Kenneth Allen from the National Police Support Fund" and they are asking for donations. It was raising money using four different police-oriented names (one "association," two "coalitions" and one "support fund"). A different privacy policy and terms of service will apply. I should have been more aware that it sounded fishy and of course just saw the ScamPulse.com warning. Has anyone else recently seen an uptick and calls from various police support organizations? 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. 2019 - The South African Department of Employment & Labour Disclaimer PAIA So have we all. I told him that there is no such thing as a National Police Trust Fund. She said she was told the group was a charity benefiting police and troopers. In the wake of tragedies large and small, they pop up like mushrooms after a rain. 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. Can the police officers count on you?. Terms & conditions/privacy policy apply https://nationalpolicesupportfund.com/terms-of-service/, Contributions to the National Police Support Fund are not tax deductible. Fundraising calls are allowed even if your number is on the National Do Not Call Registry. Getting 3 to 5 calls a day from 315-410-0874 phone number. Have a problem?Send me an email, at jmatarese@wcpo.com or message me on Facebook. Sara Kemerer of the . Many of these names could easily be confused with public charities, such as Autism Speaks, National Association of Police Organizations, or Veterans Assistance Foundation. While some donors believe they are donating to . 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). But as I learned, these callers are masters at evading any such disclosure. Write the names of the shady businesses in the comments section below, too. 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. The groups videos have received few views, but money has been pouring in. Last month the National Police Association (NPA) filed an ethics complaint against Rachael Rollins, the new district attorney for Suffolk County, Massachusetts (who recently . 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. 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. Here are a few ideas to help you give safely: Con artists refer to what they do as a hustle. Below are a few tips for screening for legitimate charities. Multiple attempted calls from one number. This section is used to influence public opinion in support of the interests of . 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. We found a website for them, but it gives very little information about the organization and their mission. : r/Scams. The charitys affiliation with the government. After I rejected he offered some booster donations of 15,25, 35 dollars to Goodwill or other organizations. 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. Law Enforcement for a Safer America has raked in nearly $10 million in donations from January 2019 to June 2020 . Find out now: How much do I need to save for retirement? The result: a rise in super PACs that use sympathetic-sounding causes primarily to line their own pockets (the FEC has called this subset scam PACs). Gotten calls like this? 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. 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. The National Police Support Fund is a legitimate organization that supports the interests of America's law enforcement officers. We warn against them because they come off as supportive of the Greenfield Police Department, or the local police, and yet they do not do anything for us, said police Chief Robert Haigh Jr. These tend to be monies for their own agendas, and not based on the locals. I received a call today from someone from The National Police Support Fund, who claimed to be collecting money for a drive. They improvise and evolve to stay one step ahead of unsuspecting donors. The case has not yet been resolved. AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that empowers people to choose how they live as they age. I also learned that they were sued in the biggest FTC case in history. The first thing I noticed was that I wasnt talking to live people; the answers all sounded scripted and recorded. Follow John on Instagram @johnmataresemoney, For more consumer news and money saving advice, go to www.dontwasteyourmoney.com. 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. With tales of woe and heartbreaking images of children or helpless animals, they beg for assistance. When I asked which state this drive was for, the caller could not answer and instead said it is for a national charity. 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. Javascript must be enabled to use this site. A profit according to Investopedia.com is revenue that exceeds expenses. Recently, the District Attorney's office was made aware of calls from nearby area codes claiming to support local officers injured in the line of duty. Charity hustles work the same way. I recently took about a dozen of these police-support calls to hear the pitches. Read Also: What Are The Steps To Becoming A Police Officer. 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. Please do your homework and avoid scams and misleading appeals for your hard-earned money.. 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.. I was contacted in Wilton, CT by representatives of the National Police Support Fund. 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. What can we learn from the latest Coinbase cyberattack? 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. Only one replied directly: 90 percent went to fundraising, and 10 percent went to police support. proudly complies with state regulations and required disclosures. 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.. Our officers deserve our respect and support, the Super PACs website reads. 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. 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. 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. He gave a range of donations to be made . 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.. Not authorized by any candidate or . 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. I received a phone call asking me to donate to National Police Support Fund I was going to give them my debit card number over the phone but changed my mind at the last moment. It said callers were soliciting support for police officers but that the group was actually connected to a political action committee. Many legitimate charities support local firefighters and police, active duty military, and veterans, or their families. The vast majority of donations since 2019 were under $200, meaning the funds came from tens of thousands of donors. 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. Read Also: How Do You Know If The Police Are Investigating You. 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. The Greenfield, Massachusetts, police department warned about the group last year as well. "As Pennsylvanians look to support [] The National Police Support Fund is a national political organization organized under Section 527 of the IRS Tax Code. We support police officers who risk their lives daily protecting our communities. So have we all. 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. "My brother was a police officer, my cousin was a cop and one of my sons is a cop," she said. If it is a scam they are awfully convincing on the phone but are also rather forceful. Stated that donations were not tax-deductible. Trade groups like those that represent the fast food or soft drink producers operate as nonprofits. If they are PACs, the fundraising effort is politically motivated and wont necessarily support San Diego-area officers or deputies or their families. Registration with any of these state agencies does not imply endorsement, approval or recommendation by any state. Msg&data rates may apply. Here are the Top 7 Amazon scam calls. On each call, my questions about how donations got spent mostly went unanswered. 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. I asked him if the organization supports Donald Trump. 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. Now, the last thing I want to do is discourage you from giving to causes you care about, like supporting police. Enter address: This website, like most media sites, uses small files called cookies to anonymously customize the advertising that you see. 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. Use a search engine to look for " your state + charity list ". Simple: less scrutiny. In fact, they count on the confusion to gather contributions. 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