LITTLETON — New Hampshire police are warning residents not to be taken in by telemarketers seeking financial donations by posing as representatives of the New Hampshire Chiefs of Police Association.

Littleton Police Chief Paul Smith on Tuesday passed along a message from the association’s president, Paul Donovan, saying the association does not attempt to raise money by telephone soliciting.

“This is a fraudulent call,” said Donovan, who is Salem’s police chief.

“We do all our own fundraising so that 100 percent of the money raised goes towards the programs we support and our Association. This is done through direct mail,” Donovan said in a news release.

“Although many telemarketers sell legitimate products from lawful companies, disreputable telemarketers using false and deceptive sales practices cost consumers billions of dollars a year,” he said.

The chiefs’ association said telltale signs of fraudulent telephone soliciting include that the caller’s phone number is usually from out of area, and the caller will often use high-pressure sales tactics.

“Legitimate businesses will usually recognize the fact that you’re not interested,” Donovan said.

The Federal Trade Commission’s Telemarketing Sales Rules offer consumers important protection measures, he said.

“Before the sales pitch even begins, the telemarketer must tell you that the call is a sales or a fundraising call. The telemarketer must tell you his or her name and the name of the company.”

The chiefs’ association advised that consumers may have their name removed from many telemarketing lists through a free FTC service.

“Simply register at the Commission’s Web site, www.donotcall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222 from the number you wish to add to the Do Not Call Registry.

“All telemarketers, even those not covered by the National Do Not Call Registry, must take you off their list if you specifically request that they do so. Tell the telemarketer to ‘remove me from your telemarketing list,’ and ask how long it will take to have your number removed,” the association advised.

“If you get another call from a telemarketer, they have broken the law.”

In that case, consumers should contact the police department in their area, or email the New Hampshire Association of Chiefs of Police by going to www.nhchiefsofpolice.com.

bhookway@newstote.com