The Maine Press Association has issued a scam warning to readers and advertisers of weekly and daily newspapers in Maine.

Penobscot Bay Press, the parent company of Castine Patriot, Island Ad-Vantages and The Weekly Packet in Blue Hill, has been alerted to a scam that targets one of its products.

Advertisers have received calls from a marketing company claiming to be renewing ad space on the annual Blue Hill Peninsula & Island Map with a two-year buy-in of $399. The phone number appeared on caller ID as “Xtreme Marketing,” and the caller had a Southern accent.

Penobscot Bay Press warns anyone contacted not to give information to that company because it’s not affiliated with Penobscot Bay Press. Only a Penobscot Bay Press sales representative or senior staff member would ever make contact regarding advertising, Sales Manager Tegan McGuire said.

The Maine Press Association issued its warning in case the scam widens to include other publications, and asks readers and advertisers to be cautious about buying ad space from someone unknown to them, including third-party sellers.

Reports to the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office and the National Scam Hotline have been made in an attempt to stop this activity. Those with questions or additional information are urged to call Penobscot Bay Press at 367-2200.