NORTH ATTLEBORO - The North Attleboro Fire Department wants residents to know that it is not conducting any fundraising activities at this time.

Mark Renker, president of the firefighter's union, the International Association of Firefighters Local 1992, said he recently received a call from a business owner who made a donation to the Firefighters Charitable Foundation, which said it was producing an advertisement book. The business owner thought the charity was associated with the North Attleboro Fire Department.

However, The Firefighters Charitable Foundation, based in Westerly, R.I., is not associated with the North Attleboro Fire Department and none of the money raised by the foundation will go to the local department.

Renker pointed out that the Firefighters Charitable Foundation has been a subject of investigations and complaints in several states.

According to the Charity Navigator Web site, which evaluates the financial health of fundraising organizations, 81 percent of the money raised by Firefighters Charitable Foundation goes toward fundraising expenses. Only 15 percent of the money collected goes toward programs.

Renker said he reported the information to the police department.