SOUTH PORTLAND – This week the South Portland School Department is warning city residents that a new website – www.southportlandredriots.com – is using department’s name and mascot to, “among other things, attempt to convince users to pay to sponsor certain elements of the site, purchase Red Riot apparel, and to use something called Red Riotbucks and Red Riotmail,” according to a press release.

The school department wants the public to know that the website “is not affiliated with the South Portland School Department in any way,” and, that, “the school department has not authorized or sanctioned this website,” the release adds.

“If you chose to visit the website and wish to purchase any item, please understand that we are not able to guarantee that any of the proceeds will actually be used to support our schools,” the press release concludes.