The Department of Law Enforcement (DLE) has issued a warning alerting the public of an active phone scam involving callers who claim to be law enforcement officers. In a press release, they outlined how these impostors intimidate individuals by accusing them of failing to show up for court hearings or jury duty and threaten arrest. The scammers demand payment in the guise of bail or a civil fee to "settle" these fictitious legal matters.
The Department of Law Enforcement is urging the public to stay vigilant and not to quickly provide any form of financial information over the phone. These scammers have been known to "spoof" legitimate DLE phone numbers, to make more convincing their fraudulent attempts. They may also betray themselves through pronunciation errors specific to Hawaiian street names or by referring to non-existent government offices like a District Attorney's Office in Hawaii.
If you receive a suspicious call that may be part of this scam, hang up without giving any personal information and contact the Department of Law Enforcement at 808-586-1352. This helps protect yourself and can assist in investigating these scams.
Residents should be aware of the warning signs to avoid falling victim to scams. If you suspect a call is a scam, it’s safer to verify with the agency directly using contact information from an official source, not from the caller. The DLE's advisory reminds everyone to remain cautious and skeptical of unsolicited calls asking for payment or personal information, even if they claim to be from law enforcement.
