Jan. 31, 2018 – Jackson, WI – Callers seeking donations to the Americans for Police & Trooper Safety are targeting residents throughout the county.
The treasurer, David Dierks, is also associated with StandWithPolice.org, Cops and Kids Together, and Police Lives Matter.
Dierks previously ran the Police Protective Fund, based in Texas, which was the subject of investigations by the IRS, FTC, and the attorneys general of Illinois and Missouri. These agencies estimated that Dierks kept 87-90% of the money that had been donated.
Americans for Police & Trooper Safety is not a charitable organization. It’s registered with the Federal Elections Commission as a “non-connected political action committee”, but there’s no record that it employs any registered lobbyists to advance its agenda.
Residents should carefully consider whether a donation is appropriate. Hang up if the caller pressures you for an immediate donation. Legitimate charities will give you time to research, and will agree to send an invoice instead of demanding payment on the phone.
DATE: 07/27/18
I just received a call from 323-843-5085 (Los Angeles on caller ID). He called himself “Jim” from “Americans for Police and Trooper Safety” asking for contributions for fallen officers. He asked if I was willing to make a contribution and I replied yes, please send me the envelope and I’ll research the organization. He said they couldn’t send out envelopes without a promised contribution, so I said I’m not donating to any organization before I get a chance to research the organization. Once I said that he abruptly said, “Thank you for your time.” This guy spoke clearly and with authority (he sounded like Wilford Brimley). DO NOT DONATE without first researching any organization!!!!
I offered to donate $20.00. They sent me an invoice for that amount. Now that I know about the so called company, will I get into trouble if I don’t pay it?
I want to know the answer to this also because I did the same thing.
No, you can’t get in trouble for not giving your money to a supposed charity. Strange to call it an invoice as well since they have provided no commodity or service. However, it’s probably best to have a policy of NEVER agreeing to give money to someone that calls you randomly. There’s plenty of well known, legitimate charities.
Hi Greg, do you happen to still have the envelope they sent you?
I also received a call claiming they were taking donations for local police. I agreed to pledge $20, but after reading this, I won’t send it. The information they gave was fraudulent, and is most likely trying to get people’s bank account information. Don’t send your personal checks, as it is a scam.
You will not get in trouble. They have no ability to get your money unless you give it to them. After all, if you do your due diligence in checking out their organization and decide it is not for you, then you would not send them any money. I too agreed to send money to Police Lives Matter. I have now investigated and will not send them any money. I will, however, go to my local police station and offer a donation in person.
Just got this call. Didn’t answer. No voice mail left.
I agreed to a $20.00 pledge over the phone.
Just got the paperwork today May 5 2019. The zip code where sent FROM is 53005.
The $ is to be sent to zip 90294 in LA!?
I see that this is a possible scam. If I get a call from them asking for the $ I will record it.
Hi
I got a week ago myself agreeing to pay 35.00 and mine arrived May 6 from a Post Office 2199 in Los Angeles,CA 90294. (Cops and Kids Together).
I just received a call from 469-551-6106 they said they are with standwithpolice.org. I told then I would never give my card over phone to strangers I did not call as they could be anyone. I warn you their voices are decieveing and sound legit. As I ask if I can get the website and pay online they push to have me pay by phone or mail to my address. NEVER GIVE PERSONAL INFORMATION TO PEOPLE CALLING YOU NO MATTER WHO THEY SAY THEY ARE. NEVER TRUST THEIR CALL BACK NUMBER EITHER. ALWAYS Google it and call police to ask if there are any scams. I would rather look up nonprofits that are legitimate and call them to make donation. These people were pushy and good at what they do which is SCAM people. I hung up on the lady after she kept going in circles with her automated answers and called the number back, no one to take call of course. I searched online and found it is a scam. Beware.
Well, this is still an ongoing operation for sure. I was just woken up with a call from them, and they were definitely pressuring me to pay over the phone. I asked for a website, which they gave and I started looking it up. They have my name and address, and will be sending something through the mail asking me for money. The pressure and lack of transparency through all this is SO sketchy. Hearing that the treasurer is likely to keep 80%-90% of the ‘donations’ is a sure-fire “no” from me, I just wished I didn’t even give them my address. Almost got me.