Phishing Scam Uses 808 Hilo Number

Hawai‘i’s Better Business Bureau has received at least eight reports this week about a phishing scam coming from an 808 Hilo number.

Consumers have reported receiving a call prompting them to press 1 to lower their credit rates and threatened that if they do not do so, their credit rates will increase. Once they press 1, they are transferred to a call center where they are asked to supply their social security number and banking information.

The scammers behind the phishing scam are not asking for payment—yet. The scam is gathering information for use in future frauds or identity theft.

“Because these calls are appearing on caller ID as a local number, consumers here in Hawai‘i are much more likely to answer the call even if they don’t necessarily recognize the number,” said Hawai‘i BBB President and CEO Gregory Dunn.

Some of the numbers reported with this scam include:

• 808-889-0500
• 808-427-5152
• 808-427-5149

Hawai‘i’s BBB offers the following tips for consumers to protect themselves from phishing scams:

• Never answer calls from numbers you do not recognize. If it is a legitimate contact, they will leave a message. Even if a scammer leaves a message, this will give you time to think about what is being asked of you. And, never return a scam call.
• Never give out any personal identifying information over the phone when you are not sure of the caller.
• If you believe you may have fallen victim to this scam or any other phishing scam, contact your bank and credit card companies immediately. Check your account daily—the earlier you identify unauthorized charges on your accounts, the easier it will be to recover any lost money.
• Place your number on a do not call list.

Any scam should be reported using the BBB Scam Tracker.