Ihave two dps friends and it is definately a scam. They have never given that they are aware of, nor do the promote the organization. A asked why they pass themselves off as troopers. I was told that is part of the scam. They are not allowed to do this.
Call from someone claiming to act for the TSTA. Same Zachary Vanmeter name showing up. The number he called is on the National callerid list so since according to their own literature they are not a charity and I have not done business with them, they should not be calling me.
Below is the text from their own website:
"The Texas State Troopers Association is a voluntary labor organization comprised of over 1,400 non-supervisory commissioned officers of the Texas Department of Public Safety. The Association is organized under section 501(c)(5) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations to TSTA are not tax deductible as charitable contributions but may be deductible as business expenses or for other purposes. The Association provides a number of benefits to members, which include the use of TSTA's recreational facilities in Austin, Texas, supplemental insurance benefits, and assistance to members who require legal representation in matters related to the good faith performance of their duties as state Troopers."
If the oganization will show me the audited books of all incomings and outgoings, then I would consider donating, but since it is not a charity, I suspect that this is unlikely.
I could write to them, but it isn't worth the effort, if they call back, then I will ask for the financial records.
This person keeps calling me I'm really freaked out now... I was at a friends house and this # called, my friend picked up and said that it was someone named Vanmeter and that they asked for me specifically and that they just hung up and then just recently "Zackary Vanmeter" called my house phone and it's really bugging me
I have recieved about 2 calls per day from this particular "caller". A message is never left on my answering machine...I'm tired of this caller...whomever it is.