Government documents show that the founding treasurer is currently an executive at the International Union of Police Associations. Donating to help police or other first responders So what happened to the other approximately 33% of . The National Police Support Fund : r/Scams - reddit I asked if the donation was tax-deductible and he said no but could not elaborate as to why that was. The I.U.P.A. The National Police Support Fund. He initially solicited $95 and eventually said he would accept a $15 contribution as an offer of goodwill on my part. I told him I did not have any money to donate at the moment. I recently took about a dozen of these police-support calls to hear the pitches. Legitimate charities can be checked on websites such as www.guidestar.org. Ask if the donation is tax-deductible. Instead, theyre independent, expenditure-only political action committees, or super PACs. A Warner Bros. During the pandemic, a plethora of fraudulent websites came out like a plague. 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. Law enforcement has a tough enough job without having to put up with charlatans masquerading as heroes. National Police Support Fund Local organizations that raise money on behalf of San Diego law enforcement include: Star/Pal for San Diego Police, which provides educational and recreational services for inner-city youth, and the San Diego County Deputy Sheriffs Foundation, which provides support services for sheriffs personnel and families. National Police Support Fund is a national political organization organized under Section 527 of the IRS Tax Code. 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! It spent $103,700 on behalf of House candidates about 3% of the total, and it has contributed nothing directly to veterans groups. In researching the organizations, I discovered numerous similar-sounding names for PACs raising funds for police officers. You can find more information about "who is the National Police Support . Beware: That Call for Police Donations May Be from a Political Action Follow John on Instagram @johnmataresemoney, For more consumer news and money saving advice, go to www.dontwasteyourmoney.com. That link will take you to Illinois, where I live. Even if you like the idea, how do you know the call is legitimate? Its been a tough couple years for local law enforcement. Also Check: Do You Have To Pay For A Police Report. Several donors said they never would have given money to the group if they knew it would pay for Trump advertisements, including 70-year-old Susan Durie, a self-described bleeding heart liberal Democrat from Los Angeles who donated around $600 and said she felt like a victim of a scam since she thinks she was misled into believing that her donation would go to local police. How a donation will be used, or how much of the donation actually goes to the charitys programs. National Police Association (@NatPoliceAssoc) / Twitter It appears there are a number of nonprofits up and running under the apparent control of Fotis. But whats the truth. Gotten calls like this? 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 answer is that, in many cases, these arent charities at all. All Rights Reserved. again. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Is an organization that supports police for donations a charity Is the American police officers Alliance legit? - iPhone Forum If the potential donors suspected they had given to the group before, the callers were instructed to say: I have no way of knowing because we feel that donations are given from the heart, not the hand, so we keep all donation records confidential, according to the FAQ. With the generous support of readers like you, Times of San Diego publishes timely and accurate news coverage for a better-informed community. Phone Calls for Donations to the Police Could be a Scam - AARP 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. This Florida-based union touts its federal lobbying efforts on behalf of local members. Privacy Policy. Virginia incorporation papers show James Fotis is president of the Alliance and changed the name to the Defense Coalition. He of course provided a non-reassuring answer with no defence when the jig was up, and ended the call. I confronted him that if they were legit, why it was that they are labeled as a scam operation. 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. . They improvise and evolve to stay one step ahead of unsuspecting donors. Dont send your money to a national group collecting for causes that may not always be clear. 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.. Getting calls from police charities? - KNXV He said his father served in the Navy for nearly two decades and was always proud of his service. Type of a scam Charity. A warning tonight about a phone and mail scam asking for donations. He was super pushy trying to get me to donate for 75,95, 105 dollars. If you have been contacted via telephone and asked to make donations to the National Police Foundation in Washington, D.C., this is a scam. Charities face relatively rigorous review from the Internal Revenue Service, and most states require them to register before they can operate there. 2019 - The South African Department of Employment & Labour Disclaimer PAIA The Better Business Bureau is warning about an organization that calls itself the National Police Support Fund which, despite soliciting contributions from St. Louis-area donors, isn't . For the record, on their website, it never calls itself a charity or non . Law Enforcement for a Safer America has raked in nearly $10 million in donations from January 2019 to June 2020 . AARP Membership - LIMITED TIME FLASH SALE. If they are PACs, the fundraising effort is politically motivated and wont necessarily support San Diego-area officers or deputies or their families. On its donate page, the NPA boasts of its work to preserve the American way of life and fight back against cop-haters. Around 200 consumer complaints have also been made to state and federal regulators about the super PAC, its aliases and related groups. 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 Association of Police Organizations :: Home - NAPO It was raising money using four different police-oriented names (one "association," two "coalitions" and one "support fund"). That way, you avoid all of . The National Association of Police Athletic/Activities League was founded in 1940 and is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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. Years later, as the success of the . The groups videos have received few views, but money has been pouring in. 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. 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. 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. 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. But almost no one was helped. Get a FREE subscription to AARP The Magazine. Law Enforcement for a Safer America officials did not return repeated requests for comment. According to an analysis by The Center for Public Integrity (CFPI), the names of some of these "scam PACs" are listed below. FAQs: Who is the National Police Support Fund? Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. But then she started to worry, especially when she couldn't find the group listed as a charity anywhere online. The National Police Association files amicus brief opposing Oregon's attempt to criminalize law abiding gun owners. 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! We support police officers who risk their lives daily protecting our communities. I was contacted in Wilton, CT by representatives of the National Police Support Fund. Please note that many legitimate local (and unaffiliated) police foundations and organizations may solicit donations from local communities via telephone and mail. "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. The organization began as a service program providing mentorship and outreach activities to youth as a way to combat juvenile crime. They do disclose, however, that of the nearly $10 million raised, the super PAC gave more money back to the union roughly $350,000 for office, operational and overhead expenses than the $173,500 it spent on political activities between January 2019 and June 2020. The Better Business Bureau conducted an investigation and found . Hispanic Federation (New York City) Abandoned Children's Fund. About $1.8 million went toward the salaries of union officials, including $199,700 for Cabral, the president. On 11/4 another local call came it was the same man! Instead, theyre independent, expenditure-only political action committees, or super PACs. 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. Im calling on behalf of the National Save the Police Fund,* the voice on the phone told me. Police charity imposters: Watch out for donation scam phone calls - WITI These callers typically use language that suggests they are charities raising money directly for local police. So, the next time you get this call, hang up. It's always a variation of the above name. 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. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription toAARP The Magazine. Why does this matter? We strive to engage the public through political grassroots activity to support political interests that promote officer's interests. After further investigation, they are not approved by the better business bureau and they have nothing but horrible reviews . In two words, its not. Is National Police Support Fund Legit - KnowYourPolice.net In the report, National Police Support Fund reported about $61,000 in . 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. It only means they do not seek to make a profit on their activities. Just want you notified that they are calling on area code 203 #s in CT now. American Association of State Troopers claims to support retired state troopers. 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. Charity Navigator - Rating for National Police Defense Foundation The BBB said days later, the New Jersey State Police photo had been removed from the site. Leaving politics aside for a minute, how do you know if those calls are legitimate? 2023 Cable News Network. On each call, my questions about how donations got spent mostly went unanswered. The organization also has a Gold Seal of Transparency from GuideStar. 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 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. The man on the other end of the phone is asking for money for the protection of police officers. Trump billboards along a desert stretch of highway near the border of California and Arizona were paid for by a small business that received a federal loan. For anyone interested in supporting law enforcement, experts say, think local. I asked him where the money goes. Phony Firefighters Scam. Virginia Police Fund Eagerly he asked if I was comfortable with that amount. Join AARP for just $9 per yearwhen you sign up for a 5-year term. The answer is that, in many cases, these arent charities at all. We support police officers who risk their lives daily protecting our communities. He also wanted to highlight law enforcements hard work across the country. Best and Worst Charities for Your Donations - Consumer Reports 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. 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. And Law Enforcement for a Safer America appears to be cashing in. Help us grow with a monthly contribution. The Police Are Always Asking For Money But Where Does That Money Go The latter is the name of the PAC I found earlier that had raised $3.2 million in contributions. I told him that there is no such thing as a National Police Trust Fund. Videos on Law Enforcement for a Safer America's website show cities in flames and say that officers have been injured during what the group describes as riots. 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 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. 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. The National Police Support Fund is a legitimate organization that supports the interests of America's law enforcement officers. Please let me know if there are any actions ScamPulse.com suggests I take other than ignore any future requests. National Association of Police Athletics/Activities League. National Police Grassroots Organization Releases 2022 Law Enforcement