Fraternal Order of Police phone solicitations – BEWARE!

[StringCheese]

Do NOT EVER give money to anyone representing themselves as the “Fraternal Order of Police” that calls on the phone. Although the FOP, itself, is a good organization, the telemarketers that are doing the phone calling are keeping 83-88% of the money donated FOR THEMSELVES!

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I received a phone call from these people a couple of years ago. They pressure you into promising a pledge and “record” it. I told them that I was interested but that I never give out information over the phone. I would be happy to look at any information they would like to send and if satisfied, send in a donation.

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Well, the packet comes and I search the address, phone, and website listed. I noticed that the address for the donation did not match the address on the true FOP website. An hour of research later, I found out the name of the telemarketing company and further research on that led me to multiple reports by State Attorneys General and fraud complaints.

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As I stated above, these companies and the people calling are NOT police officers calling on behalf of families. The fraud complaints dealt mainly with the misrepresentation.

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Again, only 12-17% of the money you contribute through these organizations is actually going to your local FOP.

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If you wish to give to the FOP, you should contact them directly.

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[JanS]

this is when I really appreciate Caller ID. I simply do not answer. I’m on a do not call list, but we all know that sometimes that means nada when it comes to supposed “charities”. As Nancy Reagan used to say “Just say no”…..and then hang up.

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[ws4ever]

Years ago one of their telemarketers implied that donating would somehow influence officers’ behavior if I was stopped for a ticket. Hanging up seemed the correct response to this suggestion!

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[StringCheese]

I’ve heard that too. They send you a window decal. It has been implied that an officer seeing you contribute to FOP would let you off with a warning.

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[service dog academy]

i play a little brazilian jujitsu with these telemarketers by telling them about my company and how i help people with disabilities train their own service dogs and then ask them if they would like to donate to any particular service dog teams training costs. they usually try to get off the phone with me as quickly as possible after that.

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[anonyme]

My caller ID has registered dozens of calls from these morons, from just as many different phone numbers. I’ve answered the phone several times but there’s never anyone there. I no sooner get one number blocked when they use another. I plan to complain to the Attorney General’s office. You’d think the police would shut these crooks down; it makes them look bad, too.

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[Kevin]

It is interesting that they always tend to use male callers with deep authoritative voices to help convince you that you are talking to a “real” police officer.

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Also keep in mind that they run campaigns for the local fire departments as well.

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I have two tactics that I use depending on how I feel when they call.

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1. YOU are a SCAM. The [police / fire] agency you pretend to represent only receives a VERY SMALL percentage of the donations you solicit.

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2. I actually like this one better as it makes them feel like they just missed the “big one.”

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I tell them that my wife and I generally drop off our donation right at our local neighborhood fire station / police precinct.

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