Lawmakers to discuss scams, fraud crimes ahead of holiday season

The House Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce will hold an informational briefing regarding common financial scams and how to identify and prevent them.

The briefing, scheduled for Wednesday at 10 a.m., can be streamed on YouTube here. During the briefing, the committee will also explore ideas aimed at reducing fraud crimes in Hawaiʻi, especially those targeting kūpuna, according to a news release from the Hawai‘i House of Representatives.

Participating organizations and agencies in the meeting will share resources on how to avoid scams, steps individuals should take if they suspect they are being targeted, and why heightened awareness is essential during the holiday season, especially given the rise in charity-related scams.

Representatives from the Hawaiʻi Bankers Association, Department of Law Enforcement, American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), Honolulu Police Department, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) Office of Consumer Protection, and Coin Flip will provide updates on the prevalence of fraud in Hawaiʻi and ongoing efforts to combat these crimes.