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. Scam PACs? Two Groups Claim To Support Vets And Cops While - Forbes National Police Support Fund is a national political organization organized under Section 527 of the IRS Tax Code. proudly complies with state regulations and required disclosures. 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. Promoting divisive rhetoric is detrimental to the public safety mission that requires any genuine law enforcement organization to be accountable to its constituents. Javascript must be enabled to use this site. 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. Fake joke to start out. He initially solicited $95 and eventually said he would accept a $15 contribution as an offer of goodwill on my part. They are the tragi-charities. On 11/4 another local call came it was the same man! The groups videos have received few views, but money has been pouring in. Type of a scam Charity. It was raising money using four different police-oriented names (one association, two coalitions and one support fund). Cookie Notice While some donors believe they are donating to . 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. 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. Is the American police officers Alliance legit? - iPhone Forum I asked them to mail me a bill instead and they did , I called the phone number on the letter and did not get a respond so I decided to go to their website . 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. 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. The Arizona Fraternal Order of Police is a real organization, but protect yourself and ask questions when you receive calls like these. But none of the money being raised actually goes to police departments, according to government records. 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 cops are facing increasing disrespect on the streets as criminals have become emboldened by the wave of anti-cop rhetoric in the news media and by many politicians. For more information, please see our 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 . 4 talking about this. I started rifling through my mail as he gave me the same exact spiel this time saying he represented United Police support fund. Do police call for donations? Do police call for donations? - JacAnswers The union has recently claimed to have more than 100,000 members, but the IUPA has reported around 20,000 members in tax filings. National Association of Police Athletic/Activities Leagues. But whats the truth. With the generous support of readers like you, Times of San Diego publishes timely and accurate news coverage for a better-informed community. And the Morton Police Department in Illinois posted on Facebook about calls from a mysterious phone number with a local area code last year. 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. Ask for information, check sites like Charitynavigator.org and then if it all checks out, write that check. 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. Instead, theyre independent, expenditure-only political action committees, or super PACs. 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. National Police Association | Educating supporters of law enforcement A warning tonight about a phone and mail scam asking for donations. 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. For anyone interested in supporting law enforcement, experts say, think local. Only one replied directly: 90 percent went to fundraising, and 10 percent went to police support. Published Free online workshop! Unless you want your money to go toward lawsuits , take my advice and find another charity to support although preferably one on another list to this one. Absolutely no legitimate law enforcement backed organization would stoop to this level of begging for money. 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. I've asked them repeatedly to stop calling this typically results in additional calls back to back from different numbers. AARP Membership LIMITED TIME FLASH SALE. And that is likely the point. California Proposition 25 Defeated, Thanks in Part to Local Efforts As we stated earlier, these 50 charities account for almost $1 Billion in donations. The safest way to donate on social media or crowdfunding campaign is to give to people you actually know. National Police Association (@NatPoliceAssoc) / Twitter Among the other warnings: The Miami Township Police in Ohio issued a scam alert in June referencing calls circulating from a Police Officers Support Association asking for credit card donations. The Reading Police Department in Massachusetts described the Police Officers Support Association as a scam charity last year. 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 . Tax filings also show that the union operates its own call center and that a company the union controls purchased a nearly 20,000 square foot office building valued at more than $2.5 million, where the union is now based. Its made up of series of regular steps timed to the beat of the music that can be improvised as needed. You read that correctly. 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! National Police Association Inc. has earned a 60% for the Accountability & Finance beacon. We are just passing along the information if you get a suspicious call asking for money for police officers.. We do not support nor do we condone this group, the post stated. You can find more information about "who is the National Police Support . First Responders Children's Foundation. 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. 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.. Email Blake Ellis and Melanie Hicken. Contributions are not tax deductible. I told him I did not have any money to donate at the moment. Find out now: How much do I need to save for retirement? 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. National Police Support Fund is a national political organization organized under Section 527 of the IRS Tax Code. Home - NPTA Donations Campaign finance data, however, shows that about 98% of the money spent is not being used for this mission. Best and Worst Charities for Your Donations - Consumer Reports 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. Discovery Company. The caller said he was phoning on behalf of the Committee for Police Officers Defense. JW August is a San Diego-based broadcast and digital journalist. He paused for a few seconds and said "okay, bye" and hung up the phone. One woman received a call from the . 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! Pro-Police Organization Isn't a Legit Charity, BBB Warns (Santa Rosa, Calf.) Some tips for consumers: Listen carefully for the name of the organization. The Better Business Bureau conducted an investigation and found . 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. And Law Enforcement for a Safer America appears to be cashing in. The organization also has a Gold Seal of Transparency from GuideStar. Ive become suspicious after reading what they had to say . 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. Wendy Beckman got a call the other day from a man asking her to help retired police and firefighters. Leaving politics aside for a minute, how do you know if those calls are legitimate? This would allow me a chance to talk to your wife about considering further contributions. 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." BBB Advises Potential Donors to be Cautious If Solicited by the 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 answer is that, in many cases, these arent charities at all. 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. 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. Local organizations that raise money on behalf of San Diego law enforcement include: Star/Pal for San Diego Police, which provides educational and recreational services for inner-city youth, and the San Diego County Deputy Sheriffs Foundation, which provides support services for sheriffs personnel and families. I quickly identified over 70 super PACs with police or law enforcement in their names. With tales of woe and heartbreaking images of children or helpless animals, they beg for assistance. Our movement is comprised of tens of thousands of Americans from all walks of life who are joined together by their common . It appears there are a number of nonprofits up and running under the apparent control of Fotis. Hispanic Federation (New York City) Abandoned Children's Fund. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. Police Protection Fund. 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. 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! Ways to contribute: You can contribute to the Police Unity Tour by donating through their website. Authorities issue warning about pro-police mail scam - The Union I said no i was told I would be sent a pledge form. 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. Gotten calls like this? 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/. POLICING THE MOST DANGEROUS CITY IN THE COUNTRY: What do Chicago's LEO's and citizens think? The National Police Support Fund is a legitimate organization that supports the interests of America's law enforcement officers. 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. Required fields are marked *. Learn how vehicle tech like blind spot warnings and drowsy driving alerts can help make driving safer. A Warner Bros. Don't Waste Your Money" is a registered trademark of Scripps Media, Inc. ("Scripps"). Individual officers can also become members, according to its website. 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 . These are Americas heroes. Videos on its site show cities in flames and say that officers have been injured during what the group describes as riots presumably referring to recent Black Lives Matter protests in the wake of the police killing of George Floyd. Concerns of Police Survivors. The recording says it is "Kenneth Allen from the National Police Support Fund" and they are asking for donations. 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. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. But then she started to worry, especially when she couldn't find the group listed as a charity anywhere online. Phone Calls for Donations to the Police Could be a Scam - AARP Multiple voices could be heard in the background. I looked up one called Law Enforcement for a Safer America PAC, which seemed to be especially active, based on Nomorobos monitoring. 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. So, the next time you get this call, hang up. This person spoke broken english and told me to donate using credit card. Donations have surged to a 'scam' political group that claims - CBS58 We support police officers who risk their lives daily protecting our communities. 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. To promote the prevention of juvenile crime and violence by building relationships among kids, cops and community through positive engagement. This comes at a time when some community activists have been calling for "defunding" the police. He gave a range of donations to be made . It's always a variation of the above name. Please enable Javascript in your browser and try 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. Read Also: How Do You Know If The Police Are Investigating You. Home - LEORF Instead, theyre independent, expenditure-only political action committees, or super PACs. Once it was blocked through my service provider, an additional phone number began to call my home multiple times a day. Please reload the page and try again. The first thing I noticed was that I wasnt talking to live people; the answers all sounded scripted and recorded. This section is used to influence public opinion in support of the interests of . Here's the truth behind the 'National Police Association'and its shady Police association scam calls: Don't fall for it, says Bob Ziegelbauer 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. Charities face relatively rigorous review from the Internal Revenue Service, and most states require them to register before they can operate there. 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. Theres just one week to go before the midterm election. The National Police Association files amicus brief opposing Oregon's attempt to criminalize law abiding gun owners. Three other IUPA executives earned more than $100,000 apiece during fiscal 2017-2018. I received a call today from someone from The National Police Support Fund, who claimed to be collecting money for a drive. If you get one of these calls, do not donate money just hang . The funds raised during their 4-day long ride are donated directly to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. Consumer Protection. Contributions made to National Police Support Fund are not tax-deductible. Political organizations including both the Democratic and Republican parties are nonprofits. Find Best Charities To Donate | Charity Ratings, Reviews ThePAC, organized by Zachary Bass, spent 90% of its take on fundraising, campaign filings show. 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.. 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.. National Association of Police Athletics/Activities League. The charitys programs focus primarily on education, mentorship, and athletic activities that empower youth. Watch out for a new "police support fund" scam. Virginia Police Fund Are robo-calls from the 'Committee for Police Officers' Defense' (aka 9 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. The National Association of Police Athletic/Activities League was founded in 1940 and is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. Law Enforcement for a Safer America has raked in nearly $10 million in donations from January 2019 to June 2020 . Did you encounter any technical issues? But their website and solicitations are designed to look and sound like Make a Wish. As an example, he cites former Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Maricopa County in Arizona. 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. It sounded like the solicitor was calling from a boiler room, where individuals dial from a list of working phone numbers. One of the more successful scams is when the scammer poses as one of many charities benefitting Law Enforcement. I should have been more aware that it sounded fishy and of course just saw the ScamPulse.com warning. Learn more about how we use cookies in our cookie policy. CONSUMER ALERT: AG Shapiro Warns of Scams Related to Donations for National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription toAARP The Magazine. According to an analysis by The Center for Public Integrity (CFPI), the names of some of these "scam PACs" are listed below. Many of the other complaints to the FTC about the political committee and its related groups said fundraisers used spoofed numbers and violated the law by calling them even though they were on the Do Not Call list, while others said they had been misled or even harassed by fundraisers. The National Association of Police Athletic/Activities League was founded in 1940 and is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. He said his father served in the Navy for nearly two decades and was always proud of his service. Continuously redirected to the toll free number provided which cut out each time it was listed. A donation of $10, $15 or $25 would help keep . 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 . According to the complaint, DPSF conned people into donating more than $9.9 million. 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). 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. I asked if the donation was tax-deductible and he said no but could not elaborate as to why that was. On each call, my questions about how donations got spent mostly went unanswered. 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.