The State of Hawai‘i is putting its residents on alert: beware of crafty door-to-door salespeople pretending to be state agents. The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) alongside the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) and its Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority (HGIA) issued a clear warning, highlighting a troubling string of incidents involving individuals posing as representatives of HGIA and the Green Energy Money $aver (GEM$) Program.
According to a release provided by the DCCA, these salespeople have been using aggressive tactics to peddle solar systems, claiming to be educating the public about financing programs directly associated with HGIA. Such actions constitute a blatant violation of trust, as HGIA employees do not promote their programs or sell products through unsolicited home visits or similar strategies. While posing as state agents, these imposters could be liable for significant damages and penalties if brought before a court.
Residents are not only being cautioned but are also encouraged to act. Should you come face-to-face with these deceptive tactics, the Office of Consumer Protection urges you to report the incident. They ask to provide details such as the salesperson's name, their company, and any recordings of the interaction. Complaints can be filed online at consumercomplaint.hawaii.gov or by contacting the Office directly at 808-587-4272. Genuine state employees can always be identified through official photo ID cards, validating their legitimate status upon request. It's worth noting, door-to-door sales, apart from being regulated under state and federal law, should ideally occur at a seller's business address, not your doorstep.
If you've been approached by someone claiming to work for HGIA or the GEM$ program or have been subjected to their forceful sales pitches, take immediate action. You can reach out to HGIA at 808-587-3868 or via email at [email protected]. Strengthening the wall between honest trade and deceptive dealings.
