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. The man on the other end of the phone is asking for money for the protection of police officers. National Association of Police Organizations :: Home - NAPO "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. Can the police officers count on you?. On each call, my questions about how donations got spent mostly went unanswered. This beacon provides an assessment of a charity's financial health (financial efficiency, sustainability, and trustworthiness) and its commitment to governance practices and policies. 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. Beware: That Call for Police Donations May Be from a Political Action Dozens of fake charities scammed donations for veterans the pocketed If you want fundraisers to stop calling, ask them to put you on the charitys do not call list. generic photos, there is no real content validating that they do anything to actually support the police. That way, you avoid all of . proudly complies with state regulations and required disclosures. I told him I did not have any money to donate at the moment. The Committee for Police Officers Defense, the telemarketers who called me, applied for tax exemption in California. The application also included the name Police Officers Defense Coalition, as well as the Police Officers Defense Alliance. In the wake of tragedies large and small, they pop up like mushrooms after a rain. National Police Support Fund is a national political organization organized under Section 527 of the IRS Tax Code. Ten Law Enforcement Groups Among Worst Charities in America Whether the website is from the same sector as nationalpolicesupportfund.com or not, you can report it to the Federal Trade Commission. Legitimate charities can be checked on websites such as www.guidestar.org. Ask if the donation is tax-deductible. Registration with any of these state agencies does not imply endorsement, approval or recommendation by any state. Most of the money raised went to telemarketing 87 percent and other expenses. He said his father has always leaned heavily Democratic, supported President Barack Obama and previously expressed strong anti-Trump views. A hustle is like the 70s disco dance. Woman suspicious after calls to help police. Gas station secured small business bailout money, then paid for Trump billboards, After learning from CNN that his 92-year-old father had given $1,200 to the super PAC, Curt Busse said that the donations were made as his fathers cognitive skills declined, making him a prime target for telemarketers. Privacy Policy. 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. 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. How to Verify a Military or Veteran Charity is Real Government documents show that the founding treasurer is currently an executive at the International Union of Police Associations. I did not feel comfortable giving the information over the phone . AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that empowers people to choose how they live as they age. Promoting divisive rhetoric is detrimental to the public safety mission that requires any genuine law enforcement organization to be accountable to its constituents. I recently took about a dozen of these police-support calls to hear the pitches. Please enable Javascript in your browser and try The organization began as a service program providing mentorship and outreach activities to youth as a way to combat juvenile crime. To raise awareness of Law Enforcement Officers who have died in the line of duty. He seemed okay with it. Javascript must be enabled to use this site. The usual claiming they were legitimate. Scam Alert: Don't Fall for Phony Firefighter Fundraisers - AARP Write the names of the shady businesses in the comments section below, too. Getting 3 to 5 calls a day from 315-410-0874 phone number. The International Union of Police Associations and its related organizations go by more than a dozen different names, including the Police Officers Support Association and the National Emergency Responders Coalition. With tales of woe and heartbreaking images of children or helpless animals, they beg for assistance. Each organization says it is spending money for police officers being abused and unfairly targeted. 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 . 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. Read Also: What Are The Best Police Boots, Read Also: How Do I Become A K9 Police Officer. Here are some things you can do to avoid donating to a fake charity: Pay attention to the charity's name. 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. Another useful fact: Organizations that file reports with the FEC have to list a treasurer. What should we investigate next? Hispanic Federation (New York City) Abandoned Children's Fund. FTC Announces Operation False Charity Law Enforcement Sweep Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. During the pandemic, a plethora of fraudulent websites came out like a plague. Theres just one week to go before the midterm election. 4 talking about this. So what happened to the other approximately 33% of . Super PACs are able to raise unlimited amounts of money, which they can use to advocate for political candidates or causes. The application also included the name Police Officers Defense Coalition, as well as the Police Officers Defense Alliance. Last month the National Police Association (NPA) filed an ethics complaint against Rachael Rollins, the new district attorney for Suffolk County, Massachusetts (who recently . 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. Have a problem?Send me an email, at jmatarese@wcpo.com or message me on Facebook. I came across ScamPulse.com warning people about donating to the NPSF . I asked him if the organization supports Donald Trump. I later learned the organization is based in Fairfax, VA, and is a political action committee, or PAC. The latter is the name of the PAC I found earlier that had raised $3.2 million in contributions. The recording says it is "Kenneth Allen from the National Police Support Fund" and they are asking for donations. There was an error and we couldn't process your subscription. The answer is that, in many cases, these arent charities at all. Also Check: How To File A Police Report For Id Theft, You May Like: How Do Police Deal With Homeless. On 10/29/20 a man called to get pledges for national police support fund. I was contacted in Wilton, CT by representatives of the National Police Support Fund. We found a website for them, but it gives very little information about the organization and their mission. Simple: less scrutiny. BBB Advises Potential Donors to be Cautious If Solicited by the Below are a few tips for screening for legitimate charities. Is National police Support Fund legit? Its been a tough couple years for local law enforcement. This Florida-based union touts its federal lobbying efforts on behalf of local members. When I asked which state this drive was for, the caller could not answer and instead said it is for a national charity. For the record, on their website, it never calls itself a charity or non . 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. Marine Toys for Tots Foundation (Triangle, Va.) Committee for Missing Children (Lawrenceville, Ga.) Prevent Child . 2019 - The South African Department of Employment & Labour Disclaimer PAIA 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. 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. Why does this matter? And it's very easy to catch the eye of someone.". But these telemarketers bombarding our phone lines? National Police support fund {February 2023} Reviews, Is National 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. Its made up of series of regular steps timed to the beat of the music that can be improvised as needed. Find out now: How much do I need to save for retirement? This section is used to influence public opinion in support of the interests of . National Police Association | Educating supporters of law enforcement Police association scam calls: Don't fall for it, says Bob Ziegelbauer You are now leaving AARP.org and going to a website that is not operated by AARP. 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. 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. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Here's the truth behind the 'National Police Association'and its shady Asking for donations to the National Police Support Fund. In researching the organizations, I discovered numerous similar-sounding names for PACs raising funds for police officers. Years later, as the success of the . Around 200 consumer complaints have also been made to state and federal regulators about the super PAC, its aliases and related groups. Continuously redirected to the toll free number provided which cut out each time it was listed. First Responders Children's Foundation. FAQs: Who is the National Police Support Fund? Enter address: This website, like most media sites, uses small files called cookies to anonymously customize the advertising that you see. The Arizona Fraternal Order of Police is a real organization, but protect yourself and ask questions when you receive calls like these. He initially solicited $95 and eventually said he would accept a $15 contribution as an offer of goodwill on my part. Law Enforcement for a Safer America officials did not return repeated requests for comment. Only one replied directly: 90 percent went to fundraising, and 10 percent went to police support. Montana Attorney General Tim Fox posted on Facebook last year about a call he received from Roy on behalf of the National Coalition for Police and Troopers. he transferred me to check my address. The call came to Get Gephardt to investigate who exactly it is that's making those calls. 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.. 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. 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. As our conversation continued, the caller would lower the amount of funding he was requesting. Read Also: Do You Have To Call The Police After An Accident, 2021 KnowYourPolice.net National Police Support Fund Encourages Citizens to Pledge - Officer But whats the truth. Getting 3 to 5 calls a day from 315-410-0874 phone number. These callers typically use language that suggests they are charities raising money directly for local police. How much do I need to save for retirement? 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. The fundraisers connection to the charity. 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. American Association of State Troopers claims to support retired state troopers. It spent $103,700 on behalf of House candidates about 3% of the total, and it has contributed nothing directly to veterans groups. Even if you like the idea, how do you know the call is legitimate? Required fields are marked *. 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. He was donating to anyone who asked him for money, he said. Many donors say they believed they were supporting a charity that helps local officers. You read that correctly. A different privacy policy and terms of service will apply. We do not support nor do we condone this group, the post stated. 9 Best Charities for Law Enforcement in the US (Complete 2023 List) "Being that it was a recording right off the bat . This beacon provides an assessment of a charity's financial health (financial efficiency, sustainability, and trustworthiness) and its commitment to governance practices and policies. If you require additional information, then call us 1-800-247-4872 or email us at: Your contribution is very much appreciated and although the International Union of Police Association is recognized as a non-profit by the IRS, due to its particular status 5), donations are not tax deductible pursuant to IRC 170(c. A copy of our latest financial report may be obtained by writing to: The International Union of Police Associations, 5632 Bee Ridge Road, Suite 200 Sarasota, FL . Once it was blocked through my service provider, an additional phone number began to call my home multiple times a day. ', 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. In the report, National Police Support Fund reported about $61,000 in . The union has recently claimed to have more than 100,000 members, but the IUPA has reported around 20,000 members in tax filings. The IRS has pretty broad rules for being a nonprofit organization. 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.. Don't Waste Your Money" is a registered trademark of Scripps Media, Inc. ("Scripps"). 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. Learn how vehicle tech like blind spot warnings and drowsy driving alerts can help make driving safer. You May Like: Do You Need A Degree To Become A Police Officer. 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. And some are outright scams. The Better Business Bureau conducted an investigation and found . 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. Not authorized by any candidate or . He paused for a few seconds and said "okay, bye" and hung up the phone. The first thing I noticed was that I wasnt talking to live people; the answers all sounded scripted and recorded. Law enforcement has a tough enough job without having to put up with charlatans masquerading as heroes. The National Police Association is a 501(C)3 non-profit organization, IRS NTEE classification code B01, Alliance/Advocacy Organizations, within the Educational . So have we all. The National Police Association files amicus brief opposing Oregon's attempt to criminalize law abiding gun owners. Key battles deserve tight alliances. 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. Also in Massachusetts, a Wilmington police officer received a call soliciting donations. All Rights Reserved. As an example, he cites former Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Maricopa County in Arizona. (Santa Rosa, Calf.) So have we all. Fundraising calls are allowed even if your number is on the National Do Not Call Registry. Eagerly he asked if I was comfortable with that amount. The National Police Support Fund is a national coalition committed to promoting the interests of America's. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much It also transferred $30,000 to another pro-police super PAC that the union operates, based on the officers listed on its filings. Copyright 2023 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Big corporations dispute sponsoring a Florida police charity that The solution, the letter says, is clear: Give our law enforcement officers the crime prevention tools they need. 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. But then she started to worry, especially when she couldn't find the group listed as a charity anywhere online. Please reload the page and try again. : r/Scams. Investigation: Is National Police Support Fund actually a massive scam 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. 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. The case has not yet been resolved. The recording says it is "Kenneth Allen from the National Police Support Fund" and they are asking for donations. But the groups file financial disclosures with federal regulators under only a handful of names. 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. AiThority Interview with Lori Anne, Director of Product Development & Management at Verizon, Branded Caller ID: The Pros And Cons In The Battle Against Phone Scams, A New Scam Is Making the Rounds Just in Time for Tax Season, Smishing: The new year is here and so are new scams. "So I really want to support the police for what they do.". Can the police officers count on you?. The organization began as a service program providing mentorship and outreach activities to youth as a way to combat juvenile crime. So we can Verify, National Coalition for Police and Troopers is a site owned by a PAC, isn't a charitable organization. POLICING THE MOST DANGEROUS CITY IN THE COUNTRY: What do Chicago's LEO's and citizens think? To promote the prevention of juvenile crime and violence by building relationships among kids, cops and community through positive engagement. An IRS report was filed on July 26. We strive to engage the public through political grassroots activity to support political interests that promote officer's interests.