Question for cops and retired/former cops

[ziggy29]

Several times a week, and from different numbers, I keep getting calls from the "TX FOP" (on the caller ID), or Texas Fraternal Order of Police. This has been going on for probably a year now, representing probably at least 100 calls.

On researching them, I'm aware that these are paid fundraisers, not police, who claim to represent police charities -- and maybe they do, for 20 cents on the dollar. The other ~80 cents goes to administration and the paid telemarketing fundraisers.

My question: Are legitimate police departments really even affiliated with these guys? The "do not call list" doesn't seem to work on them (maybe they give out the minimum required for "charity" status to get around the do not call list).

I've really had it with these guys, and I really wish I knew what I could do about it. Anyone else having problems with these guys (or similar organizations in other states)?

[bbbamI]

Ziggy...I suggest you call your local police department and ask to speak to someone in Administration.

I'm not familiar with TX FOP. The best bet is never contribute money to a phone call asking for donations...no matter who they say they are.

[ziggy29]

Oh, I only picked up a couple of times early on and made it very clear that I never, never, *never* donate over the phone, not even if Mother Teresa called me from the dead and swore 100% of the donation was going straight to the charity. Since then I've never picked up, even though I really want to give 'em the business.

But getting the calls on (sometimes) almost a daily basis and (sometimes) 2-3 times a day is really getting old.

[bbbamI]

I know it's aggravating. I've had to deal with calls like that too. I just stopped answering the phone. If the call is important enough, they'll leave a message.

If you contact them by email demanding they stop calling your number, you might end up getting emails from them. Then again the nasty gram could lower your bp a bit. Hopefully it will stop soon...

[easysurfer]

I'm the same way. I must have trained my mind to just let the answering machine (yes, machine, no voice mail) screen my calls and not pick up any solicitation calls. I like having a simple answering machine instead of voice mail because to "delete" is just a button away.

[KB]

You should be able to block the number if they call with the same one each time. Check with your cell provider if you don't know how to block a number. With Sprint, I had to sign into my online account to place a number block.

[Leonidas]

None of these solicitors have anything to do with any police agency. They solicit public safety worker unions to do these deals in their name, and because the overhead costs are fantastic (hugely inflated) the unions get a pittance. Unethical if you ask me, and our main union stopped doing it years ago. However, I think those goofy bastards folks over at the Sheriff's deputies' union and a competing union for our agency both do this, and I know they're FOP affiliated.

[Telly]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ziggy29 But getting the calls on (sometimes) almost a daily basis and (sometimes) 2-3 times a day is really getting old.

Yup. Runs in cycles, sometimes for about two weeks at a time. Then their auto-dialers must go on to some other set of numbers elsewhere. But they eventually return again.

The calling numbers are from many different area codes. Or, at least that's what they're spoofed to look like. Probably to avoid specific-number blocking.

Leeches!

[bruce1]

I have had something similar and they are pushy. If I am in the right mood I'll let them get into their spiel and interrupt part way through just to see them have to start all over again since most of them can't pick up where they left off. Otherwise I just hang up. Getting less than I used to.

[Walt34]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leonidas None of these solicitors have anything to do with any police agency.

What he said. Ignore them. Flies, fleas and ticks are annoying too but they're there and always will be.

[Rich_by_the_Bay]

I have a google number, at least for my cell phone. It allows me to block calls from specific numbers, even to the point of giving them a bogus "the number you have dialed is no longer in service." And when a solicitation does go through, it does a voice-to-text thing and displays it in my email box, so I can delete it without ever listening to it.

There are several other features, too. Here is the link.

[freebird5825]

Yup, we got them here too. LH made the mistake of sending in money many years ago. Once I told them not to call him and why, the calls eventually stopped.
As a rule, I do not answer my phone immediately anymore. Recently, these calls have resumed. My caller ID function plus the cordless/answer machine combo usually announces (aloud) the solicitation calls as "Out of Area".
I've been told by a friend who is local town cop that if I want to contribute, just mail a personal check directly to the police department, attention Community Police Programs and a short note what you want the donation used for.

[travelover]

I've been called by them in the past and they ominously imply that I should stay on the good side of the police force and this is one way to do it. Not appreciated.

[FUEGO]

I get these occasionally. It may actually be folks from Texas doing the calling. It sounds like a stereotypical Texas Southern drawl from an older gentleman who is using the "I'm your buddy and very friendly" sales tactic. They get roughly 3 seconds before hearing "click". 2 secs to discern it is FOP calling, then 1 sec for me to hang up.

[Bimmerbill]

I like to answer them when I'm in a bad mood and want to let off some steam. Yeah, I know its not nice...

[ziggy29]

Quote:

Originally Posted by travelover I've been called by them in the past and they ominously imply that I should stay on the good side of the police force and this is one way to do it. Not appreciated.

I'm sure that most cops with any shred of professional ethics don't appreciate the insinuation that they are part of a "protection racket," either.

[Gumby]

Ziggy:

Like most state attorneys general, the Texas AG is charged with enforcing the law regarding charitable solicitation. Here is a link to the charities section of his web site that will allow you to file a complaint.
Texas Attorney General

In my state, the AG takes this issue quite seriously. As Leonidas suggests, in most of these cases, the vast majority of the money collected goes to the fundraiser. Almost none goes to the law enforcement agency in whose name they are allegedly fundraising.

[Rich]

I've been a police officer for forty years (20 NYPD / 20 chief of police in a small Cape Cod town). I detest these clowns! Don't give them a penny. It's a scam and a con.

Some years ago I got a call from one of these "people." He tried to speak like he thought a cop would speak (tough guy, out of the side of his mouth), telling me he was Lt. Williams in the dept I was the chief. Problem was, we had no Lt. Williams in my dept.

Man, I hate those guys. There oughta be a law...

Rich

[clifp]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich I've been a police officer for forty years (20 NYPD / 20 chief of police in a small Cape Cod town). I detest these clowns! Don't give them a penny. It's a scam and a con. Some years ago I got a call from one of these "people." He tried to speak like he thought a cop would speak (tough guy, out of the side of his mouth), telling me he was Lt. Williams in the dept I was the chief. Problem was, we had no Lt. Williams in my dept. Man, I hate those guys. There oughta be a law... Rich

I thought impersonating a police officer was a crime, or is that just federal agents, or more likely stuff they say on TV that you think is true?

[Rich]

Cilfp:

Impersonating a police officer is a crime. Generally that requires some idiot showing a shield, wearing a uniform, making car stops with a bogus police "cruiser." All I had there was some clown on an unrecorded phone line. I'd be laughed out of court.

Rich