let my answering pick up message as I did not recognize this number... the caller hung-up!

State Fraternal Order of Police. Is this a fundraiser scam?

got a call from this number for solitation from a police org. didn't wait to see who or what, I hung up,after I was asked if I was the lady of the house.

Another unknown number

Report the number and block the number with your phone company. They are scammers and want your monies.

KEEP GETTING CALLS FROM THIS NUMBER.  WHO IS IT?? HOW CAN I STOP THE CALLS??

these companys get your phone numbers from creditors..they sell it for there gain...these so called police / troopers thing is a scam 1 do not ever give them information....

Thank you, I called and it work sooooo I thank you

Received an illegal call from this number this morning. This organization, claiming to be the "fraternal order of police", ignores both the do not call list and any requests for removal. Ironic since they claim to be related to law enforcement. Might want to practice what you preach, boys. You can't selectively enforce the law.

YOU LIE.  How long have you been stealing money from your victims under the false pretense of supporting law enforcement just so you can line your own pockets?

NEVER call crooks like this back, it just gets you on more junk call lists.  Why do you think they called you in the first place?

If you call the number back, you can use their automated system to put you on the do not call list and the Texas State Fraternal Order of Police will no longer call you.

Another call from the freternal order of police (Scammers) that will call you by name for your donation.
They are scammers!! This time the number ID  was 877-367-7320 as a toll free caller. Report them and block this damn number....

I just received this call, second one in a month.  Said they were with the Fraternal Order of Police and wanted a donation.  Turned them down the last time.  Unfortunately, I did tell them my name, but would not give my address.  I asked if they had a website which he gave to me as texasfop.org.  When I said I was going to the computer to look it up he got off the phone rather quickly.  I am not sure if it is a scam or not, but I would much rather they do mailings so I could decide at a time convenient to me, not at 9:00pm at night when I am in the middle of stuff.

Todd you are sadly misguided. The State Troopers Association has been calling and soliciting money for
" slain/injured troopers families for over 20 years. I asked them point blank how much went to the families and was told about 20% and the rest to admin costs. I said no thank you. There office sits right next to Dan's Hamburgers on N. Lamar in Austin which just happens to be catty cornered from the main DPS Office. A police officer himself may not solicit but don't ever kid yourself about organizations or associations soliciting on their behalf !

These scammers been calling me from this number a few times already about 10 days apart. Before they called from area codes 972, 940, 281. Everytime they get my answering machine and hang up on it. Everytime I search the number online it comes up with the name FOP.   These are nothing but low-life scamming crooks with unethical and rude tactics from all that I read about them. The numbers that display from their calls are most likely fake masking numbers. I am on the state and national do-not-call list and that means Do Not Call Me!  What ever you do , DO NOT SEND THEM ANY MONEY or GIVE any Personal info.  You are confronting crooks!

articles on the internet about these charity scams

Feds, States Target Charity Scams
Bogus telemarketers claim to help police, firefighters, veterans
Read more: http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/05/ftc_charity.html#ixzz0NVdJ10Qx

Massachusetts Puts Charity Telemarketers On Hold
Consumers not told fundraisers were pros

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/06 ... ixzz0LA5gEkHH&D


California Sues Charities For Stealing Donations To Public Servants
Multiple lawsuits agains telemarketers, donors for deceptive practices and fraud.

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/scam_alerts/scam_alerts.htm#ixzz0LA5vSxWI&D

Stingy? Fundraiser Banned In Washington State
Company accused of duping Jaycees chapters and donors


April 24, 2010

A for-profit fundraiser that solicited donations for Jaycees chapters and other charities throughout Western Washington, as well as fake charities, will no longer solicit donations under a settlement with the Washington Attorney General?s Office.
In its lawsuit, the Attorney General accused Charitable Assistance Group, Inc., of Seattle, and its predecessor, Direct Funding, Inc., of violating state consumer protection and charitable solicitations laws. Also named as defendants were three company officials and solicitors: Justin McGuinn and his father, Joseph Michael McGuinn, both of Seattle, and Jennifer Bartlett aka Virginia Bartlett, of Vancouver.
The defendants had contracts to solicit donations for the Washington Junior Chamber (Jaycees) and Jaycees chapters in Renton, Kirkland and Vancouver; as well as the Firefighters Assistance Fund, Vietnow National Headquarters dba Veterans Now, Veterans Charitable Foundation and the Disabled Police Officers Guild of America.
?We believe the defendants duped the Jaycees and individual donors by misrepresenting how contributions would be spent,? said Assistant Attorney General Shannon Smith. ?The defendants were stingy and kept most of the money for themselves. Under this settlement, they agree to no longer solicit for any charity in Washington.?
The state?s complaint accused the defendants of misrepresenting how donations were spent, creating an impression that paid solicitors were volunteers for the charities, soliciting for organizations that weren?t registered as charities with the Secretary of State?s Office and failing to submit required reports to the Secretary of State?s Office.
The defendants also were accused of soliciting donations to purchase Spinoza Buddy Bears to distribute to hospitalized children in the Puget Sound, despite lacking authorization from the toy?s manufacturer. And they were accused of soliciting for a number of fake charities such as the ?Northwest Firefighters.?
According to records filed with the Secretary of State?s Office, only 9 percent of the $183,814 in charitable donations raised by the defendants went to their clients. In 2007, the defendants returned only 5 percent of the $319,723 they raised.
As a condition of the settlement, all of the defendants have agreed not to solicit charitable contributions in the state of Washington.
Defendant Joseph McGuinn violated a 1996 settlement that restricts his ability to solicit donations. In that case, McGuinn and his wife, while operating a fundraising company known as Diamond Vision Consulting and Tri-Star Promotion Corporation, were accused of falsely claiming promotions were authorized by the Seattle Seahawks and local police and firefighter organizations.

Read more: http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2010/04 ... l#ixzz0mIwunEau

States Warn Against Dubious Charities
Attorneys General warn citizens about professional solicitors


December 9, 2009

Consumers have to walk something of a tightrope this time of year. Holidays are always an expensive time, yet many want to support charities and worthwhile causes. But the last thing you want to do is have your contribution line the pockets of the solicitor.
In Oregon, Attorney General John Kroger unveiled a list of Oregon's 20 Worst Charities and offered tips to consumers on how to donate wisely.
"In the middle of a recession, it is more important than ever that generous Oregonians make charitable contributions to organizations that help veterans and others who are in need," Kroger said. "It is critical, however, that people donate wisely. Although many charities do great work, some are little more than scams with good-sounding names but that do little to actually help the people they claim to support."
State law requires charities to file periodic financial reports with the Oregon Department of Justice disclosing how much money the organization raised and how the funds were spent. The Department's Charitable Activities Section has identified 20 organizations (see attached) that spent more than 75 percent of the donations they collected on administrative costs and professional fundraising.
While guidelines issued by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) suggest that charitable organizations should spend at least 65 percent of their funds on charitable programs, every charity on the Department of Justice's list devoted less than 25 percent of their expenditures on charitable program activities.
One organization near the top of the list, Shiloh International Ministries, solicits donations to provide medical necessities and other support to needy children, veterans, and homeless persons. According to the most recent financial filings, the California-based nonprofit spent an average of $1,023,215 per year, 96.35 percent of which went to management and fundraising.
Kentucky concerns
Unscrupulous charity solicitations are not just confined to one area of the country. With double-digit unemployment rates in Kentucky, for example, more Kentucky families are in need of a helping hand this holiday season.
Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway says people who give to a charity should give wisely. Unfortunately, he says, there are unscrupulous or even fraudulent charities that prey on the generosity of Kentuckians.
"Every dollar donated to a reputable charity can make a difference in the life of someone who may be struggling to put food on the table or clothe a child," Conway said. "Irresponsible or fraudulent charities not only take advantage of the kindness of hard-working Kentuckians, they deprive those who need our help. Before you decide whether a charity deserves your donation, gather as much information as possible to make sure the charity is not a scam and that your donation reaches someone in need."
Both Kroger and Conway offer these tips for wise holiday giving:
? Donate to charities you know and trust.
? Be cautious of sound-alike charities and solicitors unable to answer questions.
? Always ask what percentage of your dollar goes to the cause.
? Don't be pressured into making a donation.
? Ask if the charity or solicitor is registered with the Office of the Attorney General.


Read more: http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/12 ... l#ixzz0ZI59oXXw

New Jersey-based Telephone Fundraisers Banned from Soliciting Donations
Consumers tricked into believing all donations would help local police, firefighters, and vets


By James Limbach
ConsumerAffairs.com
April 2, 2010
The operators of a New Jersey-based telemarketing scheme will pay a record $18.8 million and leave the charitable donation business to settle charges that they violated a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) order.
Civic Development Group, LLC; CDG Management LLC; and owners Scott Pasch and David Keezer are accused of misleading consumers to believe they were donating directly to legitimate charities serving police, firefighters, and veterans. In fact, only a small slice of the donations actually went to these charities.
The civil penalty is the largest ever in an FTC consumer protection case and the agency says it should deter others from violating Commission orders and from deceiving consumers and harming legitimate charities.
"This scheme packed a one-two punch: it deceived the people who donated, and it siphoned much-needed funds from police, firefighters, and veterans groups," said David Vladeck, Director of the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection. "The court's final settlement order packs a one-two punch of its own: a record-breaking financial penalty for violating an FTC order and a lifetime ban on soliciting charitable donations."
"Firms and individuals should not mislead the public when soliciting donations for charitable organizations," said Tony West, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Division of the Department of Justice. "The Justice Department will take action when a telemarketer violates an FTC order and takes unfair advantage of the generosity of donors by providing only a small fraction of donations for the charitable purposes for which they were intended."
Under the settlements, the defendants are permanently banned from telemarketing and soliciting charitable donations, and prohibited from making false claims about anything they sell.
Defendants Pasch and Keezer are required to turn over numerous assets to a court-appointed liquidator. Pasch will surrender a $2 million home; paintings by Picasso and Van Gogh valued collectively at $1.4 million; a guitar collection valued at $800,000; $270,000 in proceeds from a recently sold wine collection; jewelry valued at $117,000; three Mercedes, a Bentley, and various other assets. Keezer will turn over a $2 million home, a Range Rover, a Cadillac Escalade, and a Bentley, among other assets.
According to the complaint, Civic Development Group's telemarketers deceived consumers by telling them that they worked directly for the charities they called about, and that "100 percent" of the consumers' donations would go to those charities.
Group has shady history
The FTC first sued Civic Development Group in 1998, charging that telemarketers working for the company's corporate predecessor misled consumers by falsely claiming that their donations would be used locally to buy bullet-proof vests and provide death benefits for deceased officers' surviving family members.
In 2007, the Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a second complaint referred by the FTC, which alleged that the defendants had violated the prior FTC order. The complaint charged that the defendants tried to circumvent state and federal telemarketing regulations by mischaracterizing themselves as "Professional Management Consultants" who were operating independently from Civic Development Group.
In fact, they continued hiring, firing, managing, and paying the telemarketers. The telemarketers, in turn, continued to falsely tell consumers they worked directly for the charities, which received "100 percent" of the donations collected. In fact, the charities received only 10 to 15 percent of the donations, and the balance went to Civic Development Group, the complaint stated.
And, just over a year ago, Civic Development was among 17 telemarketers sued by the state of California.
In addition to the other settlement provisions, the defendants must take reasonable steps to ensure that their employees comply with the settlement, and comply with standard FTC record-keeping and reporting requirements.
Helpful hints
To keep from getting scammed by "charity" solicitors, here are some tips to remember before making a donation:
? Ask how much of the donation will actually go to the charity (as opposed to the solicitor).
? Always get an address, phone number and contact name.
? Beware of sound-alike names.
? Ask questions, read and listen carefully to all of the information that is presented to you.
? If you donate, do not give cash.
? Be skeptical of excessive pressure for on-the-spot donations.
? Do not give credit card numbers or personal information over the phone.
? Call your state attorney general's Office to check on a charity's status.
State and federal governments have been working together to put an end to such charity telemarketing scammers.



Read more: http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2010/04 ... l#ixzz0jwZVVPtO

1-877-367-7320 i called the number back and you can add your number to the do not call list without talking to anyone its a voice recording for the Fraternal Order of Police trying to raise money for police officers. I dont donate to them at all. They dont do there job anyway so why should i give them money several bad experiances. Where were sorry but we can do anything about that.

Unwanted call that I didn't answer.  No message left.

Called in close proximity to request from cancer scammers using (877)867-4596 and some probable survey company at (970) 568-5208. I wonder if they are all three related.

I wouldn't under estimate its the TX FOP. gave them $10.00 buck one year and now every swing D_ _ _ K  FOP calls asking for money and its always the same phone number

This people call at least once a month even after I have asked them to stop. It's always a different guy and they try every way in the world to keep me on the phone. I have to just hang up on them or not answer at all

paid fundraiser for the TX State FOP - I do not even have a TX number  or live in TX

I got a call twice from this number and wouldnt provide any details..

this idiot called thought i would fall for a police  program seeking money  calledme by my namei use online for protection   the number i ever give online is a ghost ph number its untraceable  dont fall for this scam never give your true name unless you know  the person your talking to ..completelyyou can have them reported to verizons unlawful callers program it works. mine did, Eagle...

Hello. No way was it the police or any agency associated with them. They are never allowed to call or ask for donations,or sell anything.This is a big scam,that has gone on a very long time.I worked for the police department. They urge people getting these calls to E-mail the state and file a complaint on-line. It takes only a few minutes. That goes for any dept collectors that are ruining your life. Report these calls to your state Attorney General.

Just called,(about 1pm), and hung up before the machine could pick up. Wouldn't surprise me if it was the state troopers. They seem to hold a grudge and call often if you turn them down.

They have called my house a few times asking to speak to my mom. I asked them what they needed but they would not tell me. I told them that my mom passed away 5 yrs ago and not to call back. But they still keep calling.

they called my mom and claimed to be census taker needing more information to get more money from the government.  
I instructed my mom not to call them back and do not talk to them.

It is from the Fraternal Order of Police.