Suspicious or No problem?

Question

I got this telemarketer phone call asking money for our local police department. They call every year. I asked them to take our name off their list this year. Do you think they will investigate my family now? Money is tight this year. My family ususually donates a few dollars a year towards their organization affilated the the local police department.

I am paranoid I think. Have you said no to your local public service people?

Answer 1

Relax- it's not that actual police calling you.

If the cops want something of yours, don't worry- they'll come and take it from you personally. They call it "confiscation".

Answer 2

alot of those calls are b.s. and people just trying to scam you for you money... more often then not, if you call your local agency after receiving that kind of call and inquire, they will not know anything about their department soliciting and tell you not to give any personal info.  it is not against the law to not give them your money even if it was a ligit call from and actual law enforcement agency.  you will not be investigated in either case and no one is out to harm your family.  no worries.

Answer 3

You have every right to ask that your name be removed from their calling list. Telemarketing is sales pitch not an order.

Answer 4

No problem at all.  I never give to these telephone scams.

They have no affiliation with your local police department, or any police department for that matter.  The donations go to overhead (mostly phone bills).

When they call just say "I had no idea the local police needed money for it's youth sports program!  I'll head right to town and make a donation in person!  Thanks for telling me about this!"

Then make the donation or not ... it's up to you!  (It is a good investment to donate to youth sports leagues!  If money is tight, maybe you could volunteer!)

Answer 5

Now I am glad that I have caller I.D. When my phone rings and I don;t know who it is, I pick up the phone and hang it up just as quick. They will learn after a while. Asking to be taken off that call list is like talking to a brick wall.

Answer 6

You cant say no to your public service people. Thats called tax evasion. Why would they investigate you for not giving money when money was tight that makes no sense. No problem.

Answer 7

BTW:  Oh by the way its no problem!

Yes I have said no to them before.  

If a person's money situation is tight then it is tight and no one can know that better than the person going through it.  Always remember that charity starts at home, you must always first be able to take care of your self/family first before you are suppose to help out others.  

Any charity will and should understand that you must first take care of your self/family before you can donate to others.  

BTW: They will not investigate you.  But if they have any kind of heart which I'm sure that they do since they are trying to help others.  Then they will understand what your going through.  

I hope that this helps answer your question and takes the worry out of your not being able to donate at the time.  Do not worry as people will understand.  God bless you.

Answer 8

They are not really representing the police dept its a scam.

Answer 9

This isn't your local PD or likely to be closely affiliated with the PD, it is a "charity" or someone claiming to be a charity. In my area there are always phone scams with consters claiming to be working for various charities trying to get folks to "donate". personally I don't contribute to ANY cold callers...investigated far too many cases where folks' credit cards and bank accounts have been drained after giving info to cold calling charity telemarketers.

Think of how many 1000s of folks don't contribute...it would be crazy to suggest that they all could be investigated.

Also in our area its the FOP which always calls...yet they are the smallest union membership in any area dept...and only a very small percentage goes to the PD's fund for injuried/fallen officers,

Answer 10

actually in some states, the most active fund soliciting "Law Enforcement" orginizations are either not associated with any police or sheriffs department and are run on a FOR proffit basis.  we've got one in Montana that hasn't helped us at all, i can't remember the name but people give money to them and more goes to their back pocket than any other issue...

Big D

Answer 11

No they won't investigate you.  I don't get those kind of phone calls.

Answer 12

In Missouri, law enforcement agencies will contract with a telemarketing company to sell certain items using their name and the agency gets a percentage of the profits.  

You will not be investigated for not making a donation.    The person who called you was not a copy (unless it was a second job-unlikely) and will get his hourly wage if he collects donations or not.    Don't give it a second thought.

Answer 13

Police departments shouldn't be soliciting money.  There are several different so called organizations that try to collect money.  Some will offer a sticker, or a license plate frame.  Don't waste your money.  If it is a legitimate reason to be collecting money, it will be advertised in the paper or on the news.  When in doubt, call the station, and inquire.