Police Warn Against Email and Telephone Scams

Hawai`i Police Department personnel are warning the public about recent email, mail, and telephone scams in the state.

Multiple reports and complaints were received recently by police in North Kohala about a telephone scam targeting Big Island residents.

A woman in Kapa`au reportedly received a cell phone call on December 12^th that may have originated in Jamaica. The caller claimed to be an employee of Publisher’s Clearing House, and allegedly told the resident that she had won $1.5 million.

The caller claimed the woman had to pay $385 in taxes in order to claim her prize. She was then told to retrieve a ‘scratch card’ from Wal-Mart, then to mail it to him. The woman reported the suspicious call to police.

Police are encouraging the public to report calls when they are unsure of their legitimacy. In a statement today, the department warned “if something sounds too good to be true, it is likely a scam.”

If you suspect a phone, email or mail scam, dial HPD’s non-emergency number at (808) 935-3311.