The County of Kauaʻi has issued a public alert about a scam that involves fraudulent letters, purporting to be from the Kaua‘i County Council. These fake notices are misleading residents with official-looking formatting and language, including the County of Kaua‘i Seal, and contain false claims regarding fireworks use, county ordinances, and potential penalties.
According to information from the County of Kauaʻi, these letters are not legitimate and are not from the Kaua‘i County Council, nor any County department, despite their seemingly authentic appearance, the letters should be considered fake. Hawaiʻi law treats impersonating a public official as a serious offense, with such an act being a misdemeanor that can result in a fine of up to $2,000, or up to one year in jail.
To prevent falling prey to this scam, the County provides specific guidelines. Official communication from the Kaua'i County Council is always sent via the Office of the County Clerk or directly from an individual council member, with all correspondence from the Office being signed. Recipients should be wary of responding to threats or demands for immediate action that arrive in a suspicious letter.
Should anyone receive a letter that raises doubts, the County advises not to act on it. Instead, individuals are encouraged to verify the authenticity by contacting the Office of the County Clerk at 808-241-4188, the Kaua‘i Fire Department at 808-241-4980, or the Kaua‘i Police Department at 808-241-1711.
