MERRIMACK -- Police are urging residents to be on guard against fraudulent solicitors, after a report of a man falsely claiming to be collecting funds for the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Police received a complaint on Dec. 27 that a man was going door-to-door in the area of Scotchpine Lane soliciting for the VFW. A resident was suspicious of the man and contacted the Merrimack VFW, which indicated that they were not running a fundraiser at the time.

The male is described as white, around 30 years old, and driving a silver or gray vehicle.

Merrimack police confirmed that the VFW is not holding a fundraiser, nor does the organization go door-to-door.

Residents contacted by anyone claiming to solicit for the VFW can call the Merrimack VFW Post at 424-7719. They can also contact Merrimack police at 424-3774.

Police also issued the following guidelines for dealing with solicitors:

-- Obtain the organization's name, address and telephone number.

-- Obtain the name of the person who is calling or at their door.

-- If the person is going door-to-door, do not let them into the home.

-- Note the solicitor's description and his or her vehicle or license plate number.

-- People should not be soliciting door-to-door after dark.