Honolulu, HI – Hawaiian Electric is issuing an urgent warning to its business customers, particularly on Oʻahu, about a new wave of scams involving threats of service disconnection and the use of QR codes for fraudulent payments. At least two businesses have already fallen victim, paying out thousands in cash to these scammers.
“Scammers are constantly updating their arsenal so it’s critical for all customers to stay alert and vigilant. Don’t let a scammer’s threat of disconnection make you a victim,” urged Brendan Bailey, Hawaiian Electric vice president of customer service.
Since mid-June, Hawaiian Electric has received approximately 10 fraud reports from Oʻahu businesses. In each instance, the scammer threatened immediate power disconnection if payment was not made. Two eateries received QR codes for payment, and in both cases, at least $2,000 was paid in cash to the scammers at a nearby drugstore.
Hawaiian Electric noted that at least seven of the reported fraud calls since June 16 originated from the same local phone number, beginning with “458.” A call back to this number reached a recording for a New York-area electric utility, indicating a likely spoofing tactic.
Hawaiian Electric reminds customers of crucial tips to avoid falling victim to these scams:
- Immediate Disconnection Threats are a Scam: If a caller claims your account is delinquent and threatens immediate service shut-off unless payment is made right away, it is a scam. Be aware that caller ID can be manipulated to display a legitimate phone number (spoofing).
- Unusual Payment Demands are a Scam: Hawaiian Electric will never demand immediate payment via gift cards, money transfers, prepaid debit cards, or Bitcoin. For legitimate payment options, visit hawaiianelectric.com/paymentoptions.
- In-Person Payment Requests are a Scam: Hawaiian Electric will not ask to meet you in person to collect a payment.
- Suspicious Links or QR Codes in Emails: If you receive an email urging you to click on an embedded link, open an attachment, or scan a QR code to pay a bill, exercise extreme caution. It is highly likely to be a phishing scam.
- Verify Field Representatives: If someone claiming to be from Hawaiian Electric appears at your home or business, always ensure they are wearing official company attire with a visible logo, driving a properly labeled company vehicle, and carrying company identification. When in doubt, call Hawaiian Electric’s customer service directly using a number from your bill or their official website.
To review acceptable payment options, customers can visit hawaiianelectric.com/paymentoptions. To file a fraud report, visit hawaiianelectric.com/reportfraud.