is national police support fund legit

proudly complies with state regulations and required disclosures. If you want to donate money for your police or fire department, send your contribution to the local sheriff or chiefs directly. "Being that it was a recording right off the bat . He organized the Police Unity Tour as a fundraising event to honor members of law enforcement who had lost their lives in the line of service. It was found that only 2.7% of donations to the relief fund actually went to the families of fallen officers. I later learned the organization is based in Fairfax, VA, and is a political action committee, or PAC. 4. These callers typically use language that suggests they are charities raising money directly for local police. 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. The Police Officers Defense Alliance, for example, raised $3.2 million in 2020, and The American Police Officers Alliance raised $4.3 million. It said callers were soliciting support for police officers but that the group was actually connected to a political action committee. Political organizations including both the Democratic and Republican parties are nonprofits. The group's videos have received few views, but money has been pouring in. An image from Law Enforcement For A Safer America PAC's Facebook page. 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 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. The robot voice saying the call would be recorded for record purposes sounded so real but it was just him. 2023 Cable News Network. 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. National Association of Police Athletics/Activities League. Get a FREE subscription to AARP The Magazine. 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. As Smarter Giving notes, what is actually supports is the bank balances of its chief executives. I confronted him that if they were legit, why it was that they are labeled as a scam operation. I told him that there is no such thing as a National Police Trust Fund. The first one, the texh . The Better Business Bureau conducted an investigation and found . Another telemarketing employee reached by CNN in the Philippines confirmed this, saying he solicited money on behalf of the super PAC and the IUPA using audio recordings of someone who sounded like they were actually calling from America, and that most of the people they reached were elderly adding he felt it was a scam because they didnt realize what they were actually donating to. 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. This person spoke broken english and told me to donate using credit card. The I.U.P.A. Read Also: How Do You Know If The Police Are Investigating You. See the metrics below for more information. 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. Virginia incorporation papers show James Fotis is president of the Alliance and changed the name to the Defense Coalition. Just want you notified that they are calling on area code 203 #s in CT now. A different privacy policy and terms of service will apply. National Police Support Fund is a national political organization organized under Section 527 of the IRS Tax Code. 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. ', Fleeing Suspect Arrested on Trolley After Man Stabbed Multiple Times Downtown, San Diego Neo-Nazi Robert Wilson Suspected in Anne Frank House Incident, Sierra Snowpack Grows to Nearly Double Normal, Easing California Drought, Theatre Week Becomes Theatre Month Enjoy Deals As Low As $15 All Through March, Proudly powered by Newspack by Automattic. But whats the truth. And that is likely the point. Theres just one week to go before the midterm election. Sara Kemerer of the . For more information, please refer to the IRS definition of Political Organization. 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. Our Police, Firefighters, and all First Responders do need our support. 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. 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. generic photos, there is no real content validating that they do anything to actually support the police. (Santa Rosa, Calf.) 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. he transferred me to check my address. He gave a range of donations to be made . Many legitimate charities support local firefighters and police, active duty military, and veterans, or their families. 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. Simple web searches can show that the 'charitable organization' calling either 1 . 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. This would allow me a chance to talk to your wife about considering further contributions. It was found that only 2.7% of donations to the relief fund actually went to the families of fallen officers. "My brother was a police officer, my cousin was a cop and one of my sons is a cop," she said. AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that empowers people to choose how they live as they age. When I asked which state this drive was for, the caller could not answer and instead said it is for a national charity. 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 groups videos have received few views, but money has been pouring in. Fundraising calls are allowed even if your number is on the National Do Not Call Registry. 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 is a national coalition committed to promoting the interests of America's. . Phony Firefighters Scam. Published 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. Legitimate charities can be checked on websites such as www.guidestar.org. Ask if the donation is tax-deductible. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. BREAKING The House just voted to block Biden's woke ESG rule, which would let Wall Street use your retirement savings to fund left-wing political causes. On 11/4 another local call came it was the same man! Government documents show that the founding treasurer is currently an executive at the International Union of Police Associations. National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. Campaign finance data, however, shows that about 98% of the money spent is not being used for this mission. 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). again. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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 . The Arizona Fraternal Order of Police is a real organization, but protect yourself and ask questions when you receive calls like these. Busse said he and his sister took over their fathers finances last year. Email Blake Ellis and Melanie Hicken. Do police call for donations? Our movement is comprised of tens of thousands of Americans from all walks of life who are joined together by their common . Andy Cottam is among the many who received the call. With this in mind, the midterm election saw a new partnership between us, the National Police Support Fund, and the. As a wife of a police officer this is absolutely disgusting! she stated. Here are a few ideas to help you give safely: Con artists refer to what they do as a hustle. The International Union of Police Associations, AFL-CIO was formed in 1979 to collectively represent those in law enforcement that are active or retired law enforcement officers to fight to improve, protect, and remember the lives of officers and their families in law enforcement the organization also works to improve legislation that protects and affects public safety officers, as well as representing the needs of law enforcement officers and support personnel, whether that be for better equipment, more staff or a fair wage. 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. Police Protection Fund. "But I'm sure there are a lot that are not on the level, so you kind of have to be cautious," she said. Read Also: What Are The Best Police Boots, Read Also: How Do I Become A K9 Police Officer. Ways to contribute: You can contribute to the Police Unity Tour by donating through their website. An IRS report was filed on July 26. Below are our favorite charities for law enforcement: National Police Foundation. What should we investigate next? Many of these names could easily be confused with public charities, such as Autism Speaks, National Association of Police Organizations, or Veterans Assistance Foundation. One woman received a call from the . This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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. What should we investigate next? One hit wonders seeking to cash in on the tragedy of the day from floods and fires to missing children and more. 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 . 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. This comes at a time when some community activists have been calling for "defunding" the police. Please do your homework and avoid scams and misleading appeals for your hard-earned money.. Recommended Reading: How To Become A Desk Police Officer, Also Check: Can Police Help Me Unlock My Car. Is National police Support Fund legit? 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. This includes marketing and outreach to supporters and communities, grassroots political efforts, and digital marketing efforts. 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. Super PACs are able to raise unlimited amounts of money, which they can use to advocate for political candidates or causes. To raise awareness of Law Enforcement Officers who have died in the line of duty. During the pandemic, a plethora of fraudulent websites came out like a plague. In researching the organizations, I discovered numerous similar-sounding names for PACs raising funds for police officers. 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. 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. Even if you like the idea, how do you know the call is legitimate? Read our full report on the organization here, https://bit.ly/3xMbldo. If it is a scam they are awfully convincing on the phone but are also rather forceful. It appears there are a number of nonprofits up and running under the apparent control of Fotis. So I would like to say just beware of scammers , Ive copied the letter I received so in hopes that people will know not to donate unless you are 109% sure it not a scam. What they do: The National Association of Police Athletic/Activities League aims to minimize juvenile crime through outreach programs that pair officers with youth. @GunOwners. I said no i was told I would be sent a pledge form. A profit according to Investopedia.com is revenue that exceeds expenses. 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. PPF has been sued by regulatory agencies in at least six states, including California, Ohio, Illinois and Missouri, and was fined $463,000. AARP Membership - LIMITED TIME FLASH SALE. 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. He could not answer. You can find more information about "who is the National Police Support . Entire local police unions, which negotiate collective bargaining agreements for their members, can choose to affiliate with the group. United Police Fund / National Police Fund scam harassment. "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. "So I really want to support the police for what they do.". Not authorized by any candidate or . Stated that donations were not tax-deductible. appreciated. You May Like: Do You Need A Degree To Become A Police Officer. Gotten calls like this? Did you encounter any technical issues? Contributions are not tax deductible. 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. About $1.8 million went toward the salaries of union officials, including $199,700 for Cabral, the president. 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. We are just passing along the information if you get a suspicious call asking for money for police officers.. National Association of Police Athletic/Activities Leagues. 4 talking about this. 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. The application also included the name Police Officers Defense Coalition, as well as the Police Officers Defense Alliance. That link will take you to Illinois, where I live. Discovery Company. 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. As we stated earlier, these 50 charities account for almost $1 Billion in donations. The organization began as a service program providing mentorship and outreach activities to youth as a way to combat juvenile crime. And the Morton Police Department in Illinois posted on Facebook about calls from a mysterious phone number with a local area code last year. . Unable to verify the federal tax ID, redirected to a toll-free number. Also in Massachusetts, a Wilmington police officer received a call soliciting donations. 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. A secretive political group has been pulling in millions of dollars in recent months amid a growing Blue Lives Matter movement, with a cadre of telemarketers urgently telling Americans that now is the time to support the police and keep them safe. And soon, you say, sure, why not? I recently took about a dozen of these police-support calls to hear the pitches. Registration with any of these state agencies does not imply endorsement, approval or recommendation by any state. FEC filings show that of the group's minimal political spending, most has gone toward pro-Trump advertising such as billboards. To find out more about these organizations, I probed the FEC website, where super PACs report their activity. We use the funds raised from these activities to support elected officials, candidates, and organizations whose goals and values align with our own. I looked up one called Law Enforcement for a Safer America PAC, which seemed to be especially active, based on Nomorobos monitoring. Around 200 consumer complaints have also been made to state and federal regulators about the super PAC, its aliases and related groups. 25% off sitewide and 30% off select items. Lots of different special interest groups are nonprofits, including some private businesses that pay their executives quite well. Pearl S Buck International's stated purpose is to provide opportunities to explore and appreciate other cultures, build better lives for children around the globe and promote the legacy of our founder by preserving and interpreting her National Historic Landmark home. SCAM: National Police Support Fund donation. You read that correctly. Multiple attempted calls from one number. In this case, the pitch was for money for helping police officers in the continuing war against cops.. Contributions made to National Police Support Fund are not tax-deductible. Three other IUPA executives earned more than $100,000 apiece during fiscal 2017-2018. Virginia incorporation papers show James Fotis is president of the Alliance and changed the name to the Defense Coalition. Charity hustles work the same way. . 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. And Law Enforcement for a Safer America appears to be cashing in. Founded in 1978, NAPO is the strongest unified . I also learned that they were sued in the biggest FTC case in history. Required fields are marked *. Getting 3 to 5 calls a day from 315-410-0874 phone number. Key battles deserve tight alliances. When a solicitor for one of these groups calls a prospective donor the pitch will include the truthful statement that they are a nonprofit organization. Kids Wish Network, however, spends only 3 cents of every dollar collected on kids. 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 . I received a call today from someone from The National Police Support Fund, who claimed to be collecting money for a drive. Ask for information, check sites like Charitynavigator.org and then if it all checks out, write that check. He said his father served in the Navy for nearly two decades and was always proud of his service. 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. Here are some things you can do to avoid donating to a fake charity: Pay attention to the charity's name. For more information, please see our Police Unity Tour. One very common hustle is the name game. 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. 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. Its made up of series of regular steps timed to the beat of the music that can be improvised as needed. nationalpolice.org. 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. The National Policing Institute, a national, Washington, D.C.-based non-profit organization dedicated to advancing policing through science and innovation, has received information from several individuals who have been contacted by solicitors asking for donations in support of the "National Policing Institute," or in some cases the "National Police Fund," which we are not affiliated . 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. If your phone rings, it's not us. But almost no one was helped. Soft on Crime groups are targeting record numbers of individual law enforcement officers in law suits for police brutality. 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 National Police Support Fund is a legitimate organization that supports the interests of America's law enforcement officers. 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. 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. After further investigation, they are not approved by the better business bureau and they have nothing but horrible reviews . Asking for donations to the National Police Support Fund. Most of the money raised went to telemarketing 87 percent and other expenses. Are the money-gathering techniques these scam PACs use illegal? Our free newsletter is delivered at 8 a.m. daily. Whoops! 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. 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. Getting 3 to 5 calls a day from 315-410-0874 phone number. 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.

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