Has anyone donated to a phone solicitation for a police organization?

[Baitball Blogger]

I just received an unsolicited call and I thought I was being kind by offering to pay 5.00 instead of reminding them that I was on a Do Not Call list. And the man on the other end made it sound like it wasn't enough. He pushed for a minimum of 20, then 10. Very stern voice. I'd like to think that I was firm, but polite. I offered 5, mostly because I would not have supported anything if I thought they were going to come off like a shakedown.

I'm sorry, but I grew up in a place where public servants were humble and helpful and I didn't see any evidence of either in this call. My heart goes out to the men and women in blue who put themselves in danger, and I wonder if these professional telemarketers are doing more harm than good.

[Phoenix61]

1. Almost all of them are scams nt

[Baitball Blogger]

2. When the paperwork comes in thru the mail, I'll check it out.

[Phoenix61]

9. Charity Watch and Charity Navigator

rank non profits. One of them is free but I can't remember which one.

[Baitball Blogger]

14. Thank you.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

28. I once had a guy work for me who once worked as a "police charity" phone solicitor.

He told us all about the scam. They would hire some crooked cop (I know, hard to believe) to be the uniformed bag-man when it came time to pick up donations from local businesses.

I didn’t hire the guy. He was a friend of a friend of the owner. But I sure did fire him.

His next job, apparently, was counterfeiting US currency - until the Secret Service caught up with him, that is.

[lunasun]

3. Never

Nothing over the phone no matter the org

[msongs]

4. these outfits are hired out by police groups. hardly any of them are actual PD. likely

they work on commission or quota thus the hard sell.

[Aristus]

5. Even if it isn't a scam, every one of these 'police officers' who calls for donations

is bad-tempered and makes it sound like declining a donation means we hate cops (he's not wrong about that, though...) and that we're denying something that they're entitled to.

[Baitball Blogger]

8. I don't hate police. I just don't trust them.

They are definitely more bound to each other than they are to the people they're supposed to protect. And if you're a minority in a good ole boy community, well, let's just say I am grateful to black lives matters for opening everyone's eyes.

[lpbk2713]

6. Their "Administrative Costs" are unrealistic.

When they file their taxes they show 80% - 90% of what they get in donations to
"Adm Costs" and that gives them a huge tax break. And it is perfectly legal. They
never get a dime out of me. Just like any other telemarketer, when I get a call I
will lay the phone down for 10 -15 minutes. Time is money to them and it pisses
them off. I leave it that long in case they decide to call me back right away.

[fierywoman]

7. As soon as they start to speak I tell them I never, never,

ever give donations over the phone. Never. No exceptions. They thank me and go away real quick.

[Mopar151]

26. "Policy of our house"

It comes to us from the Home Office in Sandusky, we have no choice in the matter!

[Hassin Bin Sober]

29. That's when it's nice to have a three year old niece or nephew around. I hand the phone to them.

[Ms. Toad]

35. You've got a classier group of paid soliciters than I get.

I use pretty much the same line, and their invariable response is to launch into, "I understand, but. . . "

At that point (depending on my mood, and what they have interrupted, I either hang up without another word, or inform them I expect my respectful response to be honored - and ask to speak with a supervisor).

[Cattledog]

10. Most likely a scam.

https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0085-fundraisers-calling-behalf-police-and-firefighters

Every day, police and firefighters risk their lives to make your community safer. To show your support, you may consider making a donation when a fund-raiser calls from a fire or police service organization. Before you write the check, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) urges you to consider these facts:

Simply having the words “police” or “firefighter” in an organization’s name doesn’t mean police or firefighters are members of the group.
Just because an organization claims it has local ties or works with local police or firefighters doesn’t mean contributions will be used locally or for public safety. The organization should be able to provide you with written information describing the programs your donation will support, and their fund-raising costs before you donate.
Most solicitations for police and fire service organizations are made by paid professional fund-raisers.
Donations to some police or firefighter groups may not be tax deductible. Many kinds of organizations are tax exempt, including fraternal organizations, labor unions, and trade associations, but donations to them may not be tax deductible.
Want to know where your public safety contributions are going? Taking the following precautions can help ensure that donation dollars will benefit the people, organization, or community you want to help.

Ask fund-raisers for identification. Many states require paid fund-raisers to identify themselves as such and to name the organization for which they’re soliciting.
Ask how your contribution will be used. Ask what percentage of your contribution will go to the fire or police organization, department, or program. Also ask if your contribution will be used locally. Get written information.
Call the organization or your local police or fire department to verify a fund-raiser’s claim to be collecting on behalf of the organization or department. If the claim cannot be verified, report the solicitation to your local law enforcement officials.
Ask if your contribution is tax-deductible. Make your check payable to the official name of the group or charity. Avoid cash gifts: Cash can be lost or stolen.
Be wary if a fund-raiser suggests you’ll receive special treatment for donating. For example, no legitimate fund-raiser would guarantee that you won’t be stopped for speeding if you have a police organization’s decal in your car window. Don’t feel intimidated about declining to give. A caller who uses intimidation tactics is likely to be a scam artist. Report the call to your local law enforcement officials.
For more information
Read more on charity scams or visit the BBB Wise Giving Alliance at www.give.org.

Produced in cooperation with the National Association of Attorneys General.

[Croney]

11. If you paid by CC, be on the lookout for recurring charges.

These are almost always scammers.

[Rorey]

12. I am so grateful that I no longer get those calls

I used to tell the callers that I would do my research and get back to them. There's not really a response they can give to that.

I think I'm a fairly generous person, but I pick and choose the recipients of my charity. That way I'm sure it's not a scam.

[KatyMan]

13. I don't buy anything unsolicited

whether over the phone or from someone knocking on my door. Unless it's for Girl Scout cookies of course!

[Freethinker65]

15. Never. In fact I reported it to my local police and fire department years ago.

The man on the line made it sound like if I did not contribute, I could be denied services. I was livid. My local department said they occasionally contracted with outside firms and get a fraction of what is collected, but figured getting something was better than getting nothing. They apologized for the strong arm tactics and assured me no contribution was necessary, or if I wanted to, they did collect directly at the department location around the holidays.

From then on, when I got the calls on my landline I would just hang up. Thankfully I get no such solicitations on my cellphone.

[lagomorph777]

16. I always hang up right away.

I have zero patience for spam, no matter who they claim they are.

[cyclonefence]

17. I always ask, "Are you a paid solicitor?"

and they always say "yes," and then I always hang up. We have a volunteer fire department, and I send them a donation twice a year. Our police have a pension plan and do not solicit funds from the public unless there's been a death on duty with surviving children, and I donate to that. Anything else, no thanks.

[csziggy]

18. No - I beleive they are all scams

The last call I got from them pissed me off. The man simply would not listen to me. I was about three days out of the hospital and I tried to tell him I was not going to make any decisions about donations at that time. He said it wouldn't be a problem.

So I told him I would never donate to their organizations and to remove me from their calling list. he hung up before I finished my sentence.

[Rorey]

19. Your experience reminds me

I've seen people giving money to panhandlers, and the panhandlers do that same thing - argue that it's not enough.

I don't give to panhandlers.

[Laffy Kat]

20. They are not cops but come off like they are. They are bullies.

They make a commission. Hang up.

[woodsprite]

21. In our area, our town police do their own solicitation

It's usually based around a specific need - K-9 unit (supplies, vests, or to replace a retiring K-9 officer), vests for officers, activity for kids, etc. They make it easy- any amount is welcomed, and if you want to donate and don't feel comfortable giving them the info over the phone or sending a check in the mail, they will set a time with you where they'll pop by and pick up the check.

That, I like.

Got one the other day where they were trying to get me to donate to take underprivileged local kids to the circus. I asked him where was the circus around here? Ringling Brother's was out of business (and would have been relatively close in Philly), and Clyde Beatty Cole Brothers no longer comes to our town since the orphanage was closed and the lot they used to set up on was now being developed for town houses.

He actually hung up on me.

[TlalocW]

22. I've gotten into a shout match with them

I tried once to politely say that I don't donate to any charity over the phone, and I forget what they came back with, but they were rude and loud and I'll admit, I was triggered so I yelled something like, "What part of no do you not understand, asshole? Now put me on your do-not-call list!"

Bad thing about smart phones is you can't slam them down to hang up without damaging them.

TlalocW

[Totally Tunsie]

23. You're better off spending the money for a call blocker.

https://digitone.com/

Best money I ever spent.

[oberliner]

24. It's a scam

Has nothing to do with the police organization in question.

[avebury]

25. No. Asking for money over the phone is a guarantee

that I will hang up on them.

[Lee-Lee]

27. They are almost always scams or teetering on it.

There are a few legitimate ones. But most are not. Most will form some sort of loose affiliation with a department that is usually something like “affiliated with the XXX PD Family Boosters Club”. Then they spin that like it’s tge police department.

These are for-profit fundraising agencies that basically say to these clubs- not the PDs but private organizations of officers or families- and will say “we will give you x% of what we raise using your name”.

On its front that’s not a bad offer, the club gets money for scholarships or other things for no effort on their end.

The problem is that there isn’t any oversight. So these guys almost always go off the rails and extreme on their pitch. Mostly because the people on the phone with you are typically working on a commission, so they get more when they pressure you to give more.

And they often once they have a few legitimate organizations they work with start calling themselves by vague names like “NC Police Backers” or something, where they don’t represent or fund raise for a specific organization but just donate some pittance of what they get to some LE organization and act like that means they are legit. Most high pressure ones who cold call are this- they use the police angle to gain sympathy but in reality donate the minimum percatge they can to any LE organization.

So here is what to do if you want to support the cause- ask exactly what the cause is and who gets the money. Wrote that down, hang up, and google that organization and contact them asking how to donate. Then even if the fundraising company they are using is legit they still come out better because a direct donation lets them keep 100%.

[moriah]

30. I considered asking for a postal address cuz my mom might want to...

... only to realize as I was trying to ask that it was a robot.

Ask them to repeat themselves, listen for the same phrases said with the same inflections, when questioned responds with a recording they're only allowed to use pre-scripted responses, but it clearly wasn't a person.

[BigDemVoter]

31. I just hang up on them now after hearing that they were mostly scams.

[jcgoldie]

32. You are a lot nicer than me..

I just hang up.

[DeminPennswoods]

33. I think they're usually paid solicitors

Whatever group they're supporting gets only a fraction, like 10-20% of what's raised and the paid solicitor gets the rest. The cops/firemen, etc, know this, but they figure whatever amount they get is better than nothing. I usually tell them I don't have any extra money for charity, then I say to take my name off their call list. I don't feel bad because police and firemen are unionized and get benefits plus a pension.

[AllaN01Bear]

34. all chairities are exempt from the do not call list

however , most have an internal do not call list that they must keep. tell them you want to be put on the do not call list . it takes several cycles and yes , most of these are scams.

[Hekate]

36. Some of them are scams, and anyone who pressures you like that is acting badly...

No matter who calls me on the phone, even my most trusted personal charities, I tell them to send me their appeal in the US Mail. If it's Planned Parenthood, I say thank you for your efforts, but send it to me in the mail. Some others I get right in their face (so to speak) and tell them they are a known scam, and that includes some of those "police" organizations.

[blueinredohio]

37. I tell them I'll donate to my own town because they're the ones who are going to help when I need it

[mfcorey1]

38. I made a donation when I got a call, and then later I was told that some of those

calls are not legitimate. Yes, a person on the phone tries to pressure you to commit. If you want to support, call your local law enforcement group and they will tell you where you can donate. Avoid those telephone solicitors.

[Initech]

39. I will never donate to anything over the phone.

If I donate any money to a charity, I have to know where it's going and that it won't go to a six figure CEO / management salary or an overinflated advertising / overhead budget. If they don't donate directly to the cause they don't get my money.

[Paladin]

40. Hey! You gotta get one of those "Yay Police!" bumberstickers.

You know, the ones that are supposed to get you some slack from the next cop who pulls you over. It never works out that way, but that's sure as hell the way they're presented.

Chances are that guy who called you wasn't for-real law enforcement---he was just a phone solicitor, given some quick lessons in intimidating cop-speak. Your $5.00 was more than they deserved.