Contributions made to National Police Support Fund are not tax-deductible. 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. generic photos, there is no real content validating that they do anything to actually support the police. Each organization says it is spending money for police officers being abused and unfairly targeted. 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. After further investigation, they are not approved by the better business bureau and they have nothing but horrible reviews . The man on the other end of the phone is asking for money for the protection of police officers. 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. We strive to engage the public through political grassroots activity to support political interests that promote officer's interests. On 11/4 another local call came it was the same man! He paused for a few seconds and said "okay, bye" and hung up the phone. And that is likely the point. Getting 3 to 5 calls a day from 315-410-0874 phone number. Super PACs generally have far fewer state-level reporting requirements and are regulated by the Federal Election Commission (FEC), which has fewer enforcement options than the IRS. He was super pushy trying to get me to donate for 75,95, 105 dollars. 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. On 10/29/20 a man called to get pledges for national police support fund. Woman suspicious after calls to help police. 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). Police Protection Fund. What should we investigate next? People are receiving phone scam calls asking for donations to help out local police departments or slain and wounded police offers. At times, I thought they were maybe misguided, he said. As our conversation continued, the caller would lower the amount of funding he was requesting. But the groups file financial disclosures with federal regulators under only a handful of names. The National Police Support Fund is a legitimate organization that supports the interests of America's law enforcement officers. He said his father served in the Navy for nearly two decades and was always proud of his service. We are entering the crucial last minutes of our ongoing struggle to defend police officers. The funds raised during their 4-day long ride are donated directly to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. This comes at a time when some community activists have been calling for "defunding" the police. 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! 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. Law Enforcement for a Safer America officials did not return repeated requests for comment. Post has been removed or is no longer public. 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. Consumer Protection. Concerns of Police Survivors. National Police Support Fund is a grassroots political organization that is committed to aligning the interests and needs of police officers with the public's issues and concerns within the national political process. 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. 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 . One of the more successful scams is when the scammer poses as one of many charities benefitting Law Enforcement. He was donating to anyone who asked him for money, he said. She verified my information and repeatedly asked me to promise to mail it back as soon as I received it. But none of the money being raised actually goes to police departments, according to government records. 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. Recommended Reading: How Many Hours To Become A Police Officer, Read Also: What Education Do I Need To Be A Police Officer. And some are outright scams. Today, the organization has over 300 chapters across the country working to create positive change in local communities. Instead, theyre independent, expenditure-only political action committees, or super PACs. Here are the Top 7 Amazon scam calls. During the pandemic, a plethora of fraudulent websites came out like a plague. Once it was blocked through my service provider, an additional phone number began to call my home multiple times a day. 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. I came across ScamPulse.com warning people about donating to the NPSF . Even if you like the idea, how do you know the call is legitimate? 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. National Police Support Fund is a national political organization organized under Section 527 of the IRS Tax Code. 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 . He also wanted to highlight law enforcements hard work across the country. Join AARP for just $9 per yearwhen you sign up for a 5-year term. It sounded like the solicitor was calling from a boiler room, where individuals dial from a list of working phone numbers. I told him that there is no such thing as a National Police Trust Fund. But almost no one was helped. Your email address will not be published. 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. 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. By choosing the . 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. Bass, who set up several other super PACs, declined to comment. As an example, he cites former Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Maricopa County in Arizona. Also Check: How To File A Police Report For Id Theft, You May Like: How Do Police Deal With Homeless. Campaign finance data, however, shows that about 98% of the money spent is not being used for this mission. On each call, my questions about how donations got spent mostly went unanswered. 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. And the Morton Police Department in Illinois posted on Facebook about calls from a mysterious phone number with a local area code last year. We use the funds raised from these activities to support elected officials, candidates, and organizations whose goals and values align with our own. That way, you avoid all of . It also concerned him that so many prospects were elderly. And soon, you say, sure, why not? I quickly identified over 70 super PACs with police or law enforcement in their names. Terms & conditions/privacy policy apply https://nationalpolicesupportfund.com/terms-of-service/, Contributions to the National Police Support Fund are not tax deductible. Many legitimate charities support local firefighters and police, active duty military, and veterans, or their families. Read Also: What Are The Steps To Becoming A Police Officer. Have a problem?Send me an email, at jmatarese@wcpo.com or message me on Facebook. He said that although it is more expensive for super PACs to solicit small donations which is what this one is doing spending so much on operations and so little on political activities is unusual. 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. The group's videos have received few views, but money has been pouring in. National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. A: The National Police Support Fund is a grassroots nonprofit political organization founded in 2017 under Section 527 of the IRS tax code. To promote the prevention of juvenile crime and violence by building relationships among kids, cops and community through positive engagement. I received a call today from someone from The National Police Support Fund, who claimed to be collecting money for a drive. 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 . He said he wanted a contribution for the police department and man and women who are fighting to protect us. Please do your homework and avoid scams and misleading appeals for your hard-earned money.. Wendy Beckman got a call the other day from a man asking her to help retired police and firefighters. Registration with any of these state agencies does not imply endorsement, approval or recommendation by any state. Dont send your money to a national group collecting for causes that may not always be clear. This Florida-based union touts its federal lobbying efforts on behalf of local members. 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. And it's very easy to catch the eye of someone.". The recording says it is "Kenneth Allen from the National Police Support Fund" and they are asking for donations. The Greenfield, Massachusetts, police department warned about the group last year as well. There have been calls circulating from a Police Officers Support Association asking for credit card donations. Virginia incorporation papers show James Fotis is president of the Alliance and changed the name to the Defense Coalition. So, the next time you get this call, hang up. Learn how vehicle tech like blind spot warnings and drowsy driving alerts can help make driving safer. I recently took about a dozen of these police-support calls to hear the pitches. Operators who are so susprised it's scam. Write the names of the shady businesses in the comments section below, too. . PPF has been sued by regulatory agencies in at least six states, including California, Ohio, Illinois and Missouri, and was fined $463,000. Some tips for consumers: Listen carefully for the name of the organization. appreciated. 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. Lots of different special interest groups are nonprofits, including some private businesses that pay their executives quite well. A different privacy policy and terms of service will apply. You can find more information about "who is the National Police Support . Just hang up. National Police Support Fund is dedicated to providing a united voice for true Americans who support our nation's law enforcement officers. Just as you sit down to dinner, the phone rings and the caller asks for a donation. This beacon provides an assessment of a charity's financial health (financial efficiency, sustainability, and trustworthiness) and its commitment to governance practices and policies. It appears their lack of transparency regarding where the money goes was the reason for the BBB caution. 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. Multiple attempted calls from one number. The I.U.P.A. 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. Political organizations including both the Democratic and Republican parties are nonprofits. 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. Simple: less scrutiny. Busse said he and his sister took over their fathers finances last year. We support police officers who risk their lives daily protecting our communities. In fact, as Ive previously , supporting law enforcement and supporting reform movements such as Black Lives Matter are not mutually exclusive. Also Check: Do You Have To Pay For A Police Report. 7:35 AM EDT, Fri October 16, 2020. I told him I did not have any money to donate at the moment. 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. 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. Nonprofit however does not mean they are a charity. again. The groups videos have received few views, but money has been pouring in. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. proudly complies with state regulations and required disclosures. Andy Cottam is among the many who received the call. This beacon provides an assessment of a charity's financial health (financial efficiency, sustainability, and trustworthiness) and its commitment to governance practices and policies. These callers typically use language that suggests they are charities raising money directly for local police. Years later, as the success of the program and its activities grew, six chapters on the east coast decided to convene and discuss how athletics could be incorporated into the organizations programs. 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. National Police Support Fund brings together Americans from all walks of life united under the banner of respect and support of our nation's law enforcement officers. 2019 - The South African Department of Employment & Labour Disclaimer PAIA 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. Recently, the District Attorney's office was made aware of calls from nearby area codes claiming to support local officers injured in the line of duty. 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. In fact, former employees of these types of fundraisers have testified about how they used soundboard technology to play prerecorded messages as responses, in part so they could talk to several donors at once. It was raising money using four different police-oriented names (one "association," two "coalitions" and one "support fund"). Email Blake Ellis and Melanie Hicken. See the metrics below for more information. The website soliciting funds for Arpaio says, Liberals have targeted Sheriff Joe Arpaio with a multi-million dollar lawsuit (that could even result in jail time) because he was upholding the law of the land.. SCAM: National Police Support Fund donation. The charitys programs focus primarily on education, mentorship, and athletic activities that empower youth. AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that empowers people to choose how they live as they age. ThePAC, organized by Zachary Bass, spent 90% of its take on fundraising, campaign filings show. Can the police officers count on you?. "So I really want to support the police for what they do.". On its donate page, the NPA boasts of its work to preserve the American way of life and fight back against cop-haters. Asking for donations to the National Police Support Fund. Our Police, Firefighters, and all First Responders do need our support. Filed Jan. 29, 2020, 3:45 p.m. GMT. 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. In a complaint to the Federal Trade Commission, another woman, whose name was redacted, said she received multiple calls from the National Coalition for Police and Troopers, one of the super PACs various aliases. Years later, as the success of the . But their website and solicitations are designed to look and sound like Make a Wish. 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. It wasnt the usual automated call, and hearing a human voice kept me on the line. 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. A union receptionist also confirmed to CNN that the super PAC is run by the union, but union leaders did not respond to repeated calls, voicemails and emails that laid out the concerns from other police departments and donors and asked why so little of the $10 million raised went toward political activities. The Better Business Bureau conducted an investigation and found . This all looks very peculiar, said Richard Briffault, a professor at Columbia Law School who specializes in campaign finance. The IRS has pretty broad rules for being a nonprofit organization. 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. I said no i was told I would be sent a pledge form. These charities usually rake in a few thousand dollars and disappear. The case has not yet been resolved. 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! proudly complies with state regulations and required disclosures. While some donors believe they are donating to . 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.. Gotten calls like this? Wow! The solution, the letter says, is clear: Give our law enforcement officers the crime prevention tools they need. This person spoke broken english and told me to donate using credit card. Msg&data rates may apply.