MEDIA RELEASE

Hawaiʻi Island police are warning the public about a series of telephone scams by callers claiming to represent resort hotels.

A recorded messages claims that the recipient is an awards member of the resort and has earned either free accommodations or a discounted vacation package. The recipient is then asked to press “1” after which a live person makes a presentation that ultimately ends with a request for the recipient’s credit card number.

The caller ID on these calls shows up as a local telephone number but detectives have determined that the callers are using phone applications that alter the caller’s true phone number.

Police urge the public to hang up if they receive such a call and not to provide any personal information.