Residents of the Big Island are being warned about a phone scam involving individuals posing as police officers. The Hawai‘i Police Department (HPD) has received multiple reports of scammers impersonating law enforcement officials to deceive the public.
In one reported case, a scammer pretended to be a police sergeant and left a message claiming involvement in an important legal matter. Some victims were asked to purchase Apple gift cards to resolve these supposed issues.
Authorities stress that legitimate police officers will never request payments over the phone.
To help the public avoid falling victim to these scams, officials offer the following advice:
- Verify Caller Identity: Ask for the caller’s full name, identification number, and contact information. Genuine officers will willingly provide this information. You can confirm their identity by contacting the HPD directly at (808) 935-3311.
- Protect Personal Information: Do not share sensitive personal details, such as Social Security numbers or bank account information, unless you are certain the call is legitimate.
- Beware of Urgent Requests: Scammers often create a sense of urgency, threatening legal action to coerce victims into immediate responses. Stay calm and verify the caller’s authenticity before taking any action.
- Spread Awareness: Inform friends, family, and vulnerable community members about these scams to prevent others from becoming victims.
Anyone receiving a suspicious call is advised to hang up and contact police dispatch at (808) 935-3311 for further assistance.
