Kittery police: Scammer signs off as George Clooney. Here's what you need to know.

KITTERY, Maine — Police are warning residents Oscar-winning actor George Clooney's name was used in a scam targeting a short-term rental property owner in town.

The Kittery Police Department reported Monday a property owner recently received a letter, purportedly from the town, claiming they had not paid a short-term rental unit registration fee. Police wrote about the scam on social media, noting the letter called for the property owner to pay a false fee online.

The phony letter is signed "George Clooney, Senior Planner, town of Kittery," police reported. The scam warned of a penalty of $150 per day.

“It goes without saying that George Clooney is a good actor, but he does not work for the Town of Kittery,” the police department advised. “If you receive any letter purported to be from the Town of Kittery, visit the town hall or at least call the actual town hall number to speak to someone about it. Do not send any money to ‘George Clooney’ or anyone else just because they indicated they work for the Town.”

Clooney, 62, has most recently starred in “Ticket to Paradise” opposite Julia Roberts, and his work includes films such as “Syriana,” the “Ocean’s” movie series, and the television show “ER."

“Scammers can make letters and emails appear to come from the town and it’s worth it to make sure before paying,” Kittery police wrote.

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The truth on Kittery short-term rentals

Kittery does not have a registration fee for short-term rental units, though town code mandates each short-term rental operator must have a town-issued license renewed annually with a fee. Kittery’s planning department is led by Jason Garnham, the director of planning and development, as well as town planner Maxim Zakian and project planner Kathy Connor.

According to the town’s code, a short-term rental unit is defined as a residential unit used for “dwelling, sleeping or lodging purposes for periods of fewer than 30 consecutive days; for compensation, directly or indirectly.”

The Kittery Town Council revised its rules surrounding short-term rental units earlier this year, establishing policies on the number of licenses issued and fees for licenses.

Kittery police can be reached at 207-439-1638. The Maine attorney general's office invites the public to report scams to 800-436-2131.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Kittery police: Scammer signs off as George Clooney, don't pay fee