Phone scammers are targeting Hawaiian Electric Light Co. customers, directing them to make GObank payments at a convenience store to pay their “overdue” bills.
HELCO officials are advising customers to just hang up on scammers.
The parent company, Hawaiian Electric, received more than 40 scam reports Thursday from a mix of customers — commercial, residential and even a church. The robocalls display “Hawaiian Electric” in the caller ID and the company’s customer service number, but it’s a ruse known as “spoofing.”
The recording tells customers to pay their “overdue” bill within 30 minutes or risk disconnection; it also provides an 877 number. When called, the scammer who picks up directs the customer to purchase a GObank voucher at a convenience store.
HELCO does not ask for nor does it accept GObank payments. Customers need to be alert and recognize scams, especially when criminals threaten to disconnect service unless a payment is made.
The companies offer the following tips:
• If the caller says your utility account is delinquent and threatens to shut off service immediately unless payment is made, it’s a scam.
• If someone calls from a utility demanding immediate payment over the phone, via money transfer, prepaid debit cards or by Bitcoin, it’s a scam.
• If the caller asks to meet the customer in person to pick up a payment, it’s a scam.