Hawai‘i Island police warns against scammers posing as county employees to collect pastdue water bills

The Hawai’i Police Department is warning the public of a scam involving individuals posing as Department of Water Supply employees going to residences and attempting to collect payments for past-due balances.

In an incident earlier this week, a 65-year-old woman from Kapa‘au reported that two unknown men who identified themselves as Department of Water Supply – County of Hawai‘i employees arrived at her residence in an unmarked vehicle and attempted to collect money for an overdue bill, according to a news release on May 7.

“When asked to provide identification, the two men indicated that they did not have their identification with them,” the release stated. “They then presented a laminated copy of what appeared to be a generic water bill and informed the woman that they were there to collect on a past due balance.”

After being confronted on not providing identification, the two men left without collecting any money from the woman.

Police say the Department of Water Supply does not show up unannounced at residences to collect payments for past-due balances. Employees always operate out of marked vehicles and carry official identification cards at all times.

The Hawai‘i Police Department is asking that anyone who believes they have been targeted or victimized by this scam contact the nearest police station or call the non-emergency line at 808-935-3311.