Maui Electric Warns of Utility Impersonator Phone Scam

Maui phone scam. Graphics © Maui Now.

By Maui Now Staff

Maui Electric Company issued a warning to customers today about an increased number of reports of telephone scams to utility customers.

According to Maui Electric, several business customers have reported receiving telephone calls saying that their electric bill is delinquent and that they are subject to same-day disconnection.

The businesses were also falsely directed to pay their utility bills by purchasing certain types of money vouchers, such as a prepaid MoneyPak card.

The utility advises that prepaid cards are not acceptable methods of paying electric bills.

If customers receive a suspicious call from someone claiming to represent the company, Maui Electric encourages customers to call the Maui Electric Customer Service Center directly at 871-9777 on Maui; and at 1-877-871-8461 on Lāna‘i and Moloka‘i.

In addition, Maui Electric reminds customers to take the following precautions:

• Do not provide personal, confidential, or financial information to any unidentified individuals or callers.
• Exercise caution when responding to unsolicited phone calls. If customers feel unsure about the identity of a caller, they should hang up and don’t call back the phone number provided by the caller. Check a reliable source for a Maui Electric contact number such as a phone book, electric bill or at www.mauielectric.com.
• Report any suspicious activity to police.
• Maui Electric employees would never direct a customer to make a payment at any location other than its customer service office and the options provided below.

Customers wishing to pay their electric bills in person may do so at Maui Electric Company Kahului office, Monday to Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and the Moloka‘i office on Tuesday, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Other legitimate payment options include:

• US mail: Maui, Lāna‘i, Moloka‘i: PO Box 1670, Honolulu, HI 96806-1670
• Online at www.mauielectric.com
• Walk-in payments can be made at First Hawaiian Bank, Walmart, or Western Union locations (Foodland, Kmart, Sack-N-Save, Safeway, Times Supermarket)
• By Phone through charge, checking/savings debit card, or electronic check (fees apply)

If customers receive a call to pay through the MoneyPak card, they should report fraud cases directly to MoneyPak by calling 1-800-GREEN DOT through the company’s website using the “Report Fraud” tab.