Hawai’i Electric Light Warns Against Phone Scam

Hawai’i Electric Light is warning its Big Island customers of a telephone scam.

According to the utility company, customers have reported receiving telephone calls from a caller claiming to be a Hawai’i Electric Light representative.

The caller reportedly told customers that their electric bill was delinquent and that they were subject to immediate disconnection. Customers were then told to pay their bill through an “Express Payment Center” and were discouraged from paying through the utility’s customer service office.

Anyone who receives a suspicious call from someone claiming to be a company representative should call Hawai’i Electric Light’s customer service office at 969-6999.

Hawai’i Electric Light says that company employees will not call and direct customers to submit payment via options other than the company’s approved payment methods, listed on the back of monthly bills or online.

The following safety precautions are noted from Hawai’i Electric Light:

• Never provide personal, confidential, or financial information to an unidentified caller.
• Be cautious when responding to callers from an unidentified phone number. Phone scammers want to remain anonymous.
• If you have any doubt whether a call, email, or visit from someone claiming to represent Hawai`I Electric Light is legitimate, call the company’s Customer Service office at (808) 969-6999.
• Be aware that today’s technology can be used to mask the caller’s phone number, and the caller ID could indicate the call is originating from Hawai‘i Electric Light, even though it is not.
• Ask questions. Request the caller’s name, company name, and phone number. If in doubt, call Hawai‘i Electric Light’s customer service office to confirm the caller’s request.
• Hawai`i Electric Light employees would not direct you to make a payment at any location other than through our approved payment locations and methods.
• Report any suspicious activity to local police.

For more information, call Hawai‘i Electric Light customer service in Hilo (969-6999), Kona (329-3584), or Waimea (885-4605), or visit Hawai’i Electric Light’s website.