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During the holidays, you may receive
fundraising calls from law enforcement
associations. Over the years, the Texas
Department of Public Safety (DPS) has received
many questions and complaints about
fundraising by law enforcement associations.
This article answers some of your questions
about these solicitations, and provides some
general pointers for when you receive
fundraising calls.
Does the DPS solicit donations?
No. The DPS is funded by your tax dollars, and
does not solicit contributions from private
citizens. Law enforcement associations cannot
imply that they are part of the DPS, and
cannot imply that the money they raise will go
to the DPS. Some organizations solicit funds
using names similar to those of the Texas
Department of Public Safety, like “Texas
Rangers,” “Texas Highway Patrol,” or “Department
of Public Safety.” While some officers may
be members of these associations on their own
time, these groups are not affiliated with the
DPS.
The person who called me said he was a
peace officer …
Under the law, telemarketers for public safety
organizations cannot legally imply that they
are peace officers, unless they are. They
cannot use names, symbols, or statements that
are similar to those used by the Texas
Department of Public Safety, the Texas
Rangers, or other police agencies in a manner
that is intended to confuse or mislead a
person being solicited. Breaking this
solicitation law is a Class A misdemeanor
punishable by a fine of up to $4,000 and up to
one year in jail. Civil penalties include a
fine of up to $2,500 for an individual
violation and up to $10,000 for multiple
offenses.
What if I am contacted by a questionable
group?
If you are contacted by a group you believe is
misrepresenting itself as part of the Texas
Department of Public Safety, contact the
Consumer Protection Division of the Texas
Attorney General’s office at (800)621-0508.
Keep the following in mind before giving
money to any charitable organization:
- Always request written information on
the charity asking you for money. By law,
telemarketers must provide the charity’s
name, street address, and phone number.
They must also tell you the names and
phone numbers of the callers and their
supervisors.
- Ask how your donation will be
distributed. How much will cover
administrative costs? How much will
actually go to the program you wish to
support?
- If the money is solicited by a
professional fundraiser, ask how much of
your donation the fundraiser will
keep.
- Call the charity to ask whether the
organization is aware of the solicitation
and has authorized the use of its
name.
- Refuse to respond to high-pressure
appeals. Any legitimate charity will be
happy to wait to receive your donation if
you decide to give.
- Check with the Texas Attorney General’s
Office and your local Better Business
Bureau to see whether any complaints about
the charitable organization have been
filed.
- Check with the Texas Secretary of State’s
Office to see whether the charity is
registered and whether the solicitor is
bonded.
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