Kaua‘i police warn public of scam callers impersonating officers

Authorities on Hawai‘i Island and Kaua‘i are warning residents after receiving reports of scammers calling people and posing as police officers.

According to Kaua‘i police, callers claim to be police officers or other law enforcement officials and inform victims they have a warrant for arrest due to missed jury duty or unpaid fines.

To avoid arrest, victims are pressured to pay a hefty fine.

On Hawai‘i Island, police received reports of a scammer posing as a police sergeant, leaving a message for the victim saying they were “calling from the Hawai‘i Police Department regarding an important ongoing legal matter.” In other instances, scammers were asking people to buy Apple cards.

According to Kaua‘i police, scammers may use real names, court addresses, or manipulate caller ID to make the calls appear legitimate.

Officials provide several tips to avoid falling for these scams.

• Kaua‘i police will never request payment of any kind for fines or legal matters.
• All official communications from the court, including jury summons, will be sent via U.S. Mail. Neither the court nor law enforcement will ever demand payment over the phone.
• Don’t trust your caller ID. Technology makes it easy for scammers to fake caller ID information. Calls can look like they come from your local area code, or from a specific organization, even if they don’t.
• Stay calm. Don’t let scammers rush or pressure you into making hasty decisions. They may threaten you with immediate arrest to pressure you into paying quickly.
• Verify callers. Legitimate officials will not hesitate to provide verification and confirm any claims. If in doubt, hang up and contact Kaua‘i police directly at 808-241-1711.

Kaua‘i Police Department urges all residents to remain vigilant and take the necessary precautions to protect themselves from this ongoing scam. Report any suspicious calls or messages to police dispatch at 808-241-1711.