Electric Companies Warn of Phone Scams

Scammers are once again targeting customers of Hawaiian Electric, Maui Electric and Hawai‘i Electric Light, and the companies want customers who receive these scam calls to “Just hang up!”

• If you receive a call from someone saying they’re from Hawaiian Electric, Maui Electric or Hawai‘i Electric Light and demanding immediate payment over the phone or via prepaid debit cards, it’s a scam.
• If the caller says your account is delinquent and threatens to shut off your power immediately unless payment is made, it’s a scam.
• If the caller asks to meet you to pick up a payment, it’s a scam.

Customers should simply hang up if they receive such a call, and then dial the customer service line that is printed on your monthly electric bill or listed on your company’s website. Do not call the number displayed on your caller ID, even if it says “HECO,” “MECO” or “HELCO.”

On Friday, Feb. 23, 2018, the companies received dozens of fraud reports from customers on O‘ahu and Hawai‘i Island. The scammers appear to be calling residential and business customers at random. One of the businesses reported receiving 10 scam calls within a short time frame.

The utilities have recently noticed a higher level of sophistication among the scams. Scammers are more persistent and aggressive, insisting that a bill is overdue even if the customer knows it’s been paid.

The Hawaiian Electric Companies are members of Utilities United Against Scams, a coalition of more than 80 companies that have joined together to combat schemes targeting utility customers. For more information, go to www.hawaiianelectric.com/stopscams; www.hawaiielectriclight.com/stopscams; or www.mauielectric.com/stopscams.