Charitable "Policeman's Association" Caution, RANT

[DinerDave]

Filliam H. Muffman wrote:

If you want, I will talk to your SIL to let her know how bad the situation can be.

Thanks, As it turns out, this MIGHT be legit. Talked to our neighbors, who happen to both be on the town police force, did tell me that due to state regs, officers themselves can not call or collect donations. Not sure why they can't, but hey, it's Massachusetts. The PD contracted a third party firm to call and collect, with MIL's memory loss, we will never know for sure if the call was made correctly or not. The collector was sketchy, to say the least.
Being that I intercepted a call for donations Sunday, and even today, another caller hung up on me, she's on everyone's list.
A new phone number given out to the dozen or so that need it will do. Stressing my point to the SIL now.
Thanks a bunch

Dave

[Racer X]

Right off the bat, sign up at nomorobo. Stops most robo calls. Is free.

[max]

They are all scams, some even run and owned by cops or former cops.
Even if they had stationary, IDs, they are still complete scams.
And that another reason your state laws forbid "officers themselves not call or collect donations".
BECAUSE IT IS A SCAM.
The police pension funds do not need your money, neither do their orphans or widows.
Their pension funds today have deeper pockets than you or me
This has been explored so many times. I cant believe anybody still is buying the very premise.

Throw the bums out....

[jdc]

does she still make/get legit phone calls?

if not, unplug her phone.

Odds are your daughter never even uses a landline, iPhone only, right?

If your daughter has a landline, get one of those multi handset cordless phones, hook it up to your daughters land line and put a handset in g-ma's house. Mute it. Should be plenty of range.

G-ma can always pick it up and call out, but any call that comes in she wont hear -- wouldnt be for her anyway.

and I agree with max -- they are all scams. police, fire, alumni, disaster, wounded warriors http://www.cbsnews.com/news/cbs-news-inv...-spending/ etc, etc

[ka jowct]

It is almost certainly a scam, IMO. If it isn't, the local PD needs to find a better way to solicit funds. In any case, the idea of having a stranger at the door who thinks you might be fetching money is a scary one. Elderly people are often targeted.

[Bill in NC]

Even if it is a legit charity, again, it's a professional fundraiser at your door (or calling you on the phone), and the last one that contacted me admitted they kept over 85% (only about 12% went to the actual charity.)

[Fred_Also]

Racer X wrote:
Right off the bat, sign up at nomorobo. Stops most robo calls. Is free.

From their site:

"Unfortunately, Nomorobo is not available on traditional analog landlines or wireless phones at this time."

Fred

[modelamac]

space-time wrote:
if he was legit, he HAS to tell you how much of the donation goes to charity and how much goes to the collection agency. I didn't know this and I made a donation of $40 to a police fraternity association. Then I found out about this rule. A short month or two later they called back. This time I asked. He was hesitant to say. I told him I know the law, then he admitted that they keep 80% ($32) and only 20% ($8) goes to the actual charity. I realized the call usually takes only a few minutes, so they make a FORTUNE. They make more per minute than doctors and lawyers.

How much goes to charity is not the question. It's BS. The question is whether the guy is legit.

Diner Dave:
He was chased away once but is back again. He does not have credentials. Call the cops now!!!!

[rz]

I'm not sure why, when the guy showed up again, you didn't call the police. If he was legit, he'd probably stick around. If not, you follow him outside and get his plate number and give it to the cop who shows up.

[DinerDave]

Thanks to rz, modelamac, Fred_also, Racer X, Bill in NC, ka jowct, cdc, max, Filliam, max, space-time, Black, mattkime, chopper, you all have very valid points and gave excellent points of view and perspective.
Two houses down from me, I have a husband/wife town cop team. they have also given advice. There IS a legit contracted company making phone call solicitations, but MIL has no clue if she was called, probably was, we'll never know. That said she has always given to anyone, and is on every list in the world. Anyway, the police were notified with description of the guy and plate number.
The "unprofessional" collector will not last at his job.
Today, I did convince my SIL to change the phone number, AT+T promised it will go thru by midnight. I didn't have to send Filliam H. Muffman after her. I could have just said someone by that name will contact you about changing a number, that would make me change! (Just kidding!)

That's again everyone, it's a great community here.

Dave