Fake police / firefighter charity fundraiser scam — Police Benevolent Fund / Firefighter Association donation request + 100% goes to officers + donate by credit card/check + most proceeds go to telemarketer

Fake first-responder charity solicitation — one of the most-complained-about telephone and mail fraud categories, now conducted by email. Fraudulent organizations using official-sounding names ("Police Benevolent Fund," "Firefighters Association Fund," "Fallen Officers Memorial Fund," "Sheriff's Deputy Association") solicit donations claiming the money supports local officers, injured first responders, or their families. In reality, 85–95% of all donations go to the telemarketing/email firm running the solicitation, with only 5–15% reaching any charitable purpose. Some organizations are entirely fictitious. Red flags: unsolicited cold contact, aggressive emotional language ("our officers risk their lives every day"), no Charity Navigator or BBB Wise Giving rating, urgency, and requests for credit card or check payments directly to the organization. Key facts: the FTC and state attorneys general have sued dozens of these operations; the largest settlement involved four sham cancer and law enforcement charities that raised $187 million with almost none going to beneficiaries; real police and firefighter organizations (Fraternal Order of Police, International Association of Fire Fighters) primarily fund themselves through member dues, not cold email solicitations. Before donating to any first-responder charity, verify it on Charity Navigator (charitynavigator.org), GiveWell, or BBB Wise Giving Alliance.