HONOLULU — Though Utility Scam Awareness Day on Nov. 16 has passed, Hawaiian Electric, Hawaiian Telcom, Hawaii Gas, the Honolulu Board of Water Supply and Kauai Island Utility Cooperative, together with the state Office of Consumer Protection and Honolulu Police Department, continue to spread the word about scammers preying on customers, particularly utility customers, who may be experiencing difficulties in these tough economic times.

What You Need To Know

  • Scammers’ latest tactics tell utility customers to make a payment at a cryptocurrency machine or risk immediate shut off of services

  • “Cryptocurrency is not accepted payment for any utility service in Hawaii …” said Stephen Levins, executive director of the State of Hawaii Office of Consumer Protection

  • When in doubt, always opt to call the utility company’s customer service center

Several recent cases illustrate the latest tactics scammers are using when they call consumers to make a payment at a cryptocurrency machine or have their services shut off immediately. Bitcoin, or cryptocurrency, kiosks are now located at gas stations, laundromats, smoke shops and mini marts across the state. According to a Hawaiian Electric news release, a recent victim paid over $12,000 in multiple payments at a kiosk in a small restaurant.

“Cryptocurrency is not accepted payment for any utility service in Hawaii, whether electricity, phone, internet, gas or water,” stated Stephen Levins, in the release. Levins is the executive director of the State of Hawaii Office of Consumer Protection. “If you get a threatening call demanding payment by Bitcoin, gift cards, money transfer or prepaid debit cards, just hang up and call your utility directly.”

Utility companies say it’s a scam if:

  • A caller says your utility account is delinquent and threatens to shut off service immediately unless payment is made. Even if the caller ID looks like a legitimate number with an 808 area code, know that numbers can be manipulated.
  • Someone claims to be calling from a utility and demands immediate payment over the phone via a gift card, money transfer, prepaid debit card or by Bitcoin.
  • The caller wants to meet in person to collect payment.
  • An email looks like it’s from your utility company and urges you to click on an embedded link or attachment to resolve an issue or pay a bill. Think before you click, or better yet, call the company to ask about any issues.
  • Lastly, if someone shows up at your home claiming to be a utility worker, make sure the person is wearing official company attire with a logo, driving a properly labeled vehicle and carrying company identification. When in doubt, always opt to call the utility company’s customer service center.

Sarah Yamanaka covers events, environmental and community news for Spectrum News Hawaii. She can be reached at sarah.yamanaka@charter.com.