The Hawaiʻi State Judiciary is on high alert, warning residents about a sneaky phone scam where perpetrators are impersonating the Supreme Court Clerk's Office. Several people have reported receiving calls from scammers who cleverly "spoof" the Judiciary's phone number to appear on caller IDs. Victims are falsely told they must immediately report to the clerk's office or pay up to sidestep arrest, according to a news release cited by Spectrum Local News.
Officials are eager to remind citizens that the Judiciary does not make calls, emails, or texts asking for payments or personal info tied to court cases. Instead, traditional U.S. mail is their mode of choice unless you've already made contact seeking details on a specific issue. They've been also clear to always not trust caller ID due to the increasing ease with which scammers can forge phone numbers to make their deceptions seem credible, as mentioned on the Hawaiʻi Judiciary's official website.
The Judiciary outlined several key points for the public to remember—official communications will never seek sensitive details like social security numbers or banking info over the phone, nor will they pressure you to make swift payments using gift cards, wire transfers, or online apps under the threat of arrest. And you won't be directed to drop payments at courthouses or police stations.
To prevent becoming a target, it's advised to hang up immediately on suspicious calls and to delete any unsettling texts or emails that claim to originate from the Judiciary—especially if there was no prior outreach from your end. Should you find yourself in danger or coerced by a con artist, it's vital to swiftly call 911. Victims who've mistakenly disclosed personal info or sent funds to scammers should report these incidents to their local police, the FTC, and the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center. To keep atop of the latest on fraudulent activities linked to the Judiciary, it's recommended to regularly check their Scam Alerts page.
