The Hawaii Police Department advises residents to keep the following tips in mind if they encounter a suspicious call or text message.
— If somebody claims to represent a specific organization, ask for their name or identification. If the caller claims to be a law enforcement officer, ask for a badge number and what section of the agency they represent. Independently verify that information by directly calling the organization in question.
— If the caller claims to represent a legitimate organization or business and asks for payment in the form of gift cards or prepaid debit cards, they are lying. Legitimate organizations accept traditional forms of payment.
— Always check with trusted friends or family members before sending large sums of money to anyone, especially strangers.
— Even if the caller claims to be someone you know, independently confirm with that person that they did speak with you before sending any money.
— If a caller is aggressive and tries to intimidate or threaten you with legal penalties, be wary. Ask follow-up questions and end the call if they can’t provide reasonable answers.