Police Warn of Utility Scam

The Hawai’i Police Department is warning the public of a utility scam.

A man identifying himself as “Mike” reportedly contacted an owner of a downtown Hilo business through a telephone call and claimed that the business owner failed to pay the utility bill.

According to HPD, the caller then told the man that he needed to purchase a $500 gift card from a nearby drug store and provide the caller with the card number or the company’s electricity would be turned off.

The owner of the business claims to know the call was a scam and reported it to police.

HPD urges the public to be aware and not to respond to requests for information or payment that come from a telephone call or the internet.

Individuals who received a notification that they believe to be legitimate should confirm by calling the published phone number in the phone book, not one provided on the phone, in the mail, or through e-mail or text.