Categorized | Business, Energy

Hawaiian Electric Companies joins anti-scam coalition

MEDIA RELEASE

The Hawaiian Electric Companies today joined with fellow electric companies across the country, as well as utilities in the natural gas and water sectors, to observe the inaugural Utilities United Against Scams Day (UUAS Day.) The day will be supported by awareness and education activities throughout the week.

Most utility scams involve criminals posing as electric, natural gas, or water provider employees—either in-person, over the phone, or online—and demanding immediate payment via cash or reloadable debit cards while falsely threatening to disconnect the customer’s service. These criminals can be very convincing and often target those who are most vulnerable, including small business owners, seniors, and non-native English speakers. However, with the right information, customers can learn to avoid and report these predatory scams.

Customers who believe they have been targeted by scammers impersonating an employee of Hawaiian Electric, Maui Electric, or Hawaii Electric Light Company should follow these tips:

  • Hang up the phone or close the door, and call our customer service center at:
    - Oahu: (808) 548-7311
    - Maui: (808) 871-9777
    - Molokai and Lanai: 1-877-871-8461
    - Hilo: (808) 969-6999
    - Kona: (808) 329-3584
    - Waimea: (808) 885-4605
  • Decline to pay any caller or visitor claiming to be a Hawaiian Electric, Maui Electric, or Hawaii Electric Light representative using a prepaid card, such as a Green Dot card, a wire transfer, or similar forms of payment – especially those requiring an intermediary.
  • Ignore suspicious requests for personal information such as bank account numbers, user names and passwords, credit card numbers, or Social Security numbers.
  • Delete all emails that demand immediate payment or personal information.
  • Contact local police or contact the Federal Trade Commission at: https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/

UUAS is a collaborative effort among the electric, gas, and water utility industries to help prevent utility service fraud through education, awareness, and customer advocacy initiatives. A primary goal of this collective effort is to help customers learn how to identify and avoid utility-related scams.

You can learn more about the Utilities United Against Scams effort at www.hawaiianelectric.com, www.mauielectric.com, www.hawaiielectriclight.com, or www.eei.org, including further tips and resources to help spot and avoid utility scams.

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