#maui scam

The most recent reported ongoing scam is spoof callers claiming to be a Maui Police Department representative. Spoofing is a technique used to manipulate caller ID information, making it appear as if the call is coming from a legitimate source, such as a government agency, financial institution, or even a known contact, making it highly deceptive.

The Maui Police Department would like to caution the public to look out for emails, phone calls, or texts from individuals claiming to represent a business or government entity that requests money via a wire/app transfer or solicits purchases of gift cards. 

The Maui Fire Department has been advised that residents have been receiving phone calls soliciting donations for the Maui Fire Department.

The Maui Police Department would like to remind the public if you receive emails, phone calls, or texts from business or government entities asking you to purchase gift cards, please do not do so.

The department has received reports in which the scammers convince homeowners that their roof needs repairs, but never return to do the work after collecting payment.

The Maui Fire Department is warning the public about a telephone scam that is currently being attempted in Maui County. The scam comes amid a large wildfire that has burned 5,300 acres below Pukalani since it first started Thursday afternoon.

Maui Police are warning the public about a phone scam in which the caller claims to be an officer and that the person they are calling has outstanding warrants

The presentation will be offered on two different dates: Monday, Sept. 24 at the Kīhei Community Center; and Tuesday, Sept. 25 at the Wailuku Community Center.  Both presentations will be held at 5 p.m.

Scammers appear to be turning to text messages because people are ignoring emails and people tend read and respond to text messages quickly.

Scammers, using a variation of the “Family Impersonation Scam,” also known as the “Grandparents Scam,” have been preying on people with friends on Maui.

The AARP Fraud Watch Network has launched a campaign to warn consumers about the inclinations and activities common to investment fraud victims.

Recent reports of counterfeit activity on Maui included cases involving counterfeit $100 bills on Molokaʻi and Wailluku, Maui in May and April respectively.

The potential victims are instructed to go to the bank and withdraw a large sum of money. One resident reported that the caller said he would then go to the house to collect the money.

The department notes that offenders often times use authentic $1 bills, and re-print a larger denomination on it. This method will create a false positive when utilizing a counterfeit pen.

The Maui Department of Water Supply is warning customers of unauthorized phone calls from someone posing as a DWS representative.

Maui police provided some tips on how to avoid being scammed after Maui Now received multiple reports of individuals being approached outside of several businesses in Central Maui.

Recently there has been reports of individuals identifying themselves as a representative of the IRS. These individuals are saying there is an outstanding debt of back taxes that is owed immediately.

Under the scam, water officials say, customers are being falsely offered a discount on their water bill if they pay by credit card over the phone.

The company issued a warning to customers today, saying dozens of small business customers across the state have reported receiving calls saying their electric bill is delinquent and that they’re subject to same-day disconnection.

The latest reports involve individuals selling jewelry claiming the funds are for a trip to Tahiti for dancers from the hālau of well-known international entertainer and Kumu Hula Keali`i Reichel, whom they claim is gravely ill.