Police Warn of Scam Involving Utility Company Bill

Police are warning the public to be on the lookout for a scam involving people impersonating utility company employees.

Reports have been received about callers telling residents that their utility bill payment is overdue and that their service will be shut off, said acting Capt. Reed Mahuna of the Puna police station.

The callers then instruct the victims to make a payment directly to them over the phone.

Police are advising that anyone who receives a call about their utility bill to hang up and then call the utility company directly at a published telephone number – not a number given by the caller – to determine if the call is legitimate.

Police said the public should never give out any personal information over the telephone to someone who calls them asking for it.