Investigation: Is National Police Support Fund actually a massive scam 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. It was found that only 2.7% of donations to the relief fund actually went to the families of fallen officers. 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. Free online workshop! Even if you like the idea, how do you know the call is legitimate? Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much I told him I did not have any money to donate at the moment. Instead, theyre independent, expenditure-only political action committees, or super PACs. After I rejected he offered some booster donations of 15,25, 35 dollars to Goodwill or other organizations. Join AARP for just $9 per yearwhen you sign up for a 5-year term. 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. If you get one of these calls, do not donate money just hang . 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. A charity is only one type of nonprofit. 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. January 11, 2019. National Police Support Fund is a national political organization organized under Section 527 of the IRS Tax Code. For more information, please refer to the IRS definition of Political Organization. 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. They count on local press coverage and a quick website. The organization also participates in advocacy work to emphasize some of the dangers law enforcement officers face, and the sacrifices they make to protect society. When I asked which state this drive was for, the caller could not answer and instead said it is for a national charity. Registration with any of these state agencies does not imply endorsement, approval or recommendation by any state. Go to their website and give there or call the number listed. So have we all. But their website and solicitations are designed to look and sound like Make a Wish. Three other IUPA executives earned more than $100,000 apiece during fiscal 2017-2018. ', 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. This Florida-based union touts its federal lobbying efforts on behalf of local members. Phone Calls for Donations to the Police Could be a Scam He also wanted to highlight law enforcements hard work across the country. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Fake joke to start out. Best and Worst Charities for Your Donations - Consumer Reports National Police Support Fund is a national political organization organized under Section 527 of the IRS Tax Code. 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. To raise awareness of Law Enforcement Officers who have died in the line of duty. But none of the money being raised actually goes to police departments, according to government records. Ask for information, check sites like Charitynavigator.org and then if it all checks out, write that check. We support police officers who risk their lives daily protecting our communities. Im calling on behalf of the National Save the Police Fund,* the voice on the phone told me. With everything that's happening this pandemic year, people are getting more and more calls to support their local police. We are just passing along the information if you get a suspicious call asking for money for police officers.. The National Association of Police Athletic/Activities League was founded in 1940 and is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. Getting 3 to 5 calls a day from 315-410-0874 phone number. Law enforcement has a tough enough job without having to put up with charlatans masquerading as heroes. She said she was told the group was a charity benefiting police and troopers. Wendy Beckman got a call the other day from a man asking her to help retired police and firefighters. On 12/30/2018, I received a call from (862) 333-2411 from a man with a deep voice and a southern accent, who identified himself as Dan, if I would like to make a donation to the National Police Trust Fund. That means of a $35 donation, no more than $3.50 goes to their stated cause. Also Check: Do You Have To Pay For A Police Report. 2019 - The South African Department of Employment & Labour Disclaimer PAIA The organization began as a service program providing mentorship and outreach activities to youth as a way to combat juvenile crime. "So I really want to support the police for what they do.". Many of these names could easily be confused with public charities, such as Autism Speaks, National Association of Police Organizations, or Veterans Assistance Foundation. The fund is the third in a series of outrageous attempts by founders David Dierks and Phil LeConte to extort money from generous Americans under the pretext of donations to the nation's police forces. 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). The organization also has a Gold Seal of Transparency from GuideStar. The case has not yet been resolved. Dozens of fake charities scammed donations for veterans the pocketed Instead, theyre independent, expenditure-only political action committees, or super PACs. Fraud Alert! National Police Support Fund - Angie Ward In two words, its not. National Police Grassroots Organization Releases 2022 Law Enforcement Our free newsletter is delivered at 8 a.m. daily. National Police Association | Educating supporters of law enforcement "As Pennsylvanians look to support [] Here's the truth behind the 'National Police Association'and its shady 4 talking about this. Some tips for consumers: Listen carefully for the name of the organization. Charity hustles work the same way. "Being that it was a recording right off the bat . BBB Advises Potential Donors to be Cautious If Solicited by the 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). Busse said he and his sister took over their fathers finances last year. 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Groups like Antifa and Black Lives Matter have inspired people to assassinate cops on the street. Authorities issue warning about pro-police mail scam - The Union This all looks very peculiar, said Richard Briffault, a professor at Columbia Law School who specializes in campaign finance. 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. 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. Can the police officers count on you?. Soft on Crime groups are targeting record numbers of individual law enforcement officers in law suits for police brutality. 2023 Cable News Network. The fundraisers connection to the charity. According to an analysis by The Center for Public Integrity (CFPI), the names of some of these "scam PACs" are listed below. In the report, National Police Support Fund reported about $61,000 in . It also transferred $30,000 to another pro-police super PAC that the union operates, based on the officers listed on its filings. 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. You May Like: Do You Need A Degree To Become A Police Officer. 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 . Ten Law Enforcement Groups Among Worst Charities in America CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. The 20 Worst Charities You Shouldn't Be Donating To - Money Inc It was raising money using four different police-oriented names (one association, two coalitions and one support fund). Government documents show that the founding treasurer is currently an executive at the International Union of Police Associations. While some donors believe they are donating to . Email Blake Ellis and Melanie Hicken. Our officers deserve our respect and support, the Super PACs website reads. 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. Home - LEORF We are entering the crucial last minutes of our ongoing struggle to defend police officers. 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. Can the police officers count on you?. The usual claiming they were legitimate. Recommended Reading: How Many Hours To Become A Police Officer, Read Also: What Education Do I Need To Be A Police Officer. California Proposition 25 Defeated, Thanks in Part to Local Efforts 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. Type of a scam Charity. 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. The first thing I noticed was that I wasnt talking to live people; the answers all sounded scripted and recorded. The IRS has pretty broad rules for being a nonprofit organization. Multiple voices could be heard in the background. We strive to engage the public through political grassroots activity to support political interests that promote officer's interests. A warning tonight about calls targeting people around the Tri-State asking them to help support the police. 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. The recording says it is "Kenneth Allen from the National Police Support Fund" and they are asking for donations. Wow! 25% off sitewide and 30% off select items. Department of Employment and Labour They would have soundboards with prerecorded bits that would play and give the impression they were talking to a live person but in reality it was just someone playing bits off a soundboard, he said. Founded in 1978, NAPO is the strongest unified . The Committee for Police Officers Defense, the telemarketers who called me, applied for tax exemption in California. Below are a few tips for screening for legitimate charities. If your phone rings, it's not us. 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. I asked if the donation was tax-deductible and he said no but could not elaborate as to why that was. Woman calls out scammer after hearing about it on the news Unable to verify the federal tax ID, redirected to a toll-free number. Police Unity Tour. National Association of Police Organizations :: Home - NAPO Just as you sit down to dinner, the phone rings and the caller asks for a donation. That group calling you about donating to fallen officers? It's a huge scam. He was donating to anyone who asked him for money, he said. 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. Police charity asking for money - is it a scam? - YouTube I should have been more aware that it sounded fishy and of course just saw the ScamPulse.com warning. This was up from roughly $1 million raised by the group, which was founded in June 2018, in the last six months of the prior election cycle. Contributions made to National Police Support Fund are not tax-deductible. Individual officers can also become members, according to its website. One Daughters Fight Against Charity Fraud, Exclusive Walgreens Cash rewards for members, AARP Travel Center Powered by Expedia: Vacation Packages, Members save when booking a flight vacation package, AARP Identity Theft Protection powered by Norton, Up to 53% off comprehensive protection plans, AARP Online Fitness powered by LIFT session, Customized workouts designed around your goals and schedule, SAVE MONEY WITH THESE LIMITED-TIME OFFERS. Did you encounter any technical issues? proudly complies with state regulations and required disclosures. This would allow me a chance to talk to your wife about considering further contributions. He seemed okay with it. Each organization says it is spending money for police officers being abused and unfairly targeted. by Michelle Diament, April 2008. 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. Woman suspicious after calls to help police. Verify: Law enforcement charity phone calls - KSDK 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. The calls asking for donations come from aliases like the Police Officers Support Association and The National Coalition for Police & Troopers. Once it was blocked through my service provider, an additional phone number began to call my home multiple times a day. A warning tonight about a phone and mail scam asking for donations. Phone Calls for Donations to the Police Could be a Scam - AARP I quickly identified over 70 super PACs with police or law enforcement in their names. The scenario is all too familiar. 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). That is equivalent to 2.7 percent of the $2.7 million the organization raised from donors that year, according to its federal tax return. I was contacted in Wilton, CT by representatives of the National Police Support Fund. Beware: That Call for Police Donations May Be from a Political Action Nonprofit however does not mean they are a charity. ThePAC, organized by Zachary Bass, spent 90% of its take on fundraising, campaign filings show. It sounded like the solicitor was calling from a boiler room, where individuals dial from a list of working phone numbers. 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 Association of Police Athletic/Activities League was founded in 1940 and is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. Are the money-gathering techniques these scam PACs use illegal? This section is used to influence public opinion in support of the interests of . 4. Consumer Protection. I feel they abuse their use of the name to maybe convey a false sense to the community about who they are and what they really do with the money.. 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. generic photos, there is no real content validating that they do anything to actually support the police. What they do: The National Association of Police Athletic/Activities League aims to minimize juvenile crime through outreach programs that pair officers with youth. In this case, the pitch was for money for helping police officers in the continuing war against cops.. They are the tragi-charities. If you want to donate money for your police or fire department, send your contribution to the local sheriff or chiefs directly. An IRS report was filed on July 26. National Police Support Fund - Grassroots Support for Police I said no i was told I would be sent a pledge form. Beware scams posing as Law Enforcement fundraisers! In the wake of tragedies large and small, they pop up like mushrooms after a rain. 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. 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. 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.. Many legitimate charities support local firefighters and police, active duty military, and veterans, or their families. : r/Scams. Only one replied directly: 90 percent went to fundraising, and 10 percent went to police support. 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. After further investigation, they are not approved by the better business bureau and they have nothing but horrible reviews . So we can Verify, National Coalition for Police and Troopers is a site owned by a PAC, isn't a charitable organization. In researching the organizations, I discovered numerous similar-sounding names for PACs raising funds for police officers. National Police support fund {February 2023} Reviews, Is National Now those same anarchists that rioted and assaulted law enforcement officers are using the Taliban playbook by destroying public statues and monuments while advocating for defunding law enforcement agencies, a narrator states in a video from July, as protests continued across the country. Multiple attempted calls from one number. 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. Its been a tough couple years for local law enforcement. And some are outright scams. He of course provided a non-reassuring answer with no defence when the jig was up, and ended the call. The National Police Support Fund is a national coalition committed to promoting the interests of America's. 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. 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. For anyone interested in supporting law enforcement, experts say, think local. Contributions are not tax deductible. He said he wanted a contribution for the police department and man and women who are fighting to protect us. According to the complaint, DPSF conned people into donating more than $9.9 million. 2. She verified my information and repeatedly asked me to promise to mail it back as soon as I received it. Stated that donations were not tax-deductible. 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. 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. 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. As an example, he cites former Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Maricopa County in Arizona. I told him that I had some questions for him before I would donate.