The Daily Astorian is warning readers about a scam involving its classified advertisements.

The scammers technique is to call numbers listed in advertisements and say there is a problem with the credit card used to pay for the ad. Often the calls are in the early evening, outside business hours. The scammer asks for the correct credit card number for verification.

Newspaper managers have alerted Astoria police of the scam, which has happened on prior occasions.

Customers with any concerns are asked to call The Daily Astorian staff during weekday office hours, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and are reminded not to give out their credit card or other personal information to unauthorized callers.

The Oregon Attorney Generals Office in Salem maintains an online link for complaints about possible fraud. Readers can access a form to report scams at www.doj.state.or.us/finfraud/