LIHUE — Island residents are being warned of a phone scam circulating.
LIHUE — Island residents are being warned of a phone scam circulating.
The Kauai Police Department (KPD) is alerting people about a money scam where individuals are impersonating KPD officers and demanding immediate payment via PayPal to avoid imprisonment.
An example of this scam will consist of a call with claims of a KPD officer or other law enforcement official informing a potential victim of an open warrant or arrest toward them due to missed jury duty or unpaid fines. To avoid arrest, victims are pressured to pay a hefty fine via PayPal.
It is important to keep in mind that scammers may use real names and court addresses, or manipulate caller ID to make the calls appear legitimate. KPD will never request payment through PayPal or any other online platform.
Individuals are urged to report suspicious calls or messages to KPD Dispatch at 808-241-1711.
Key tips to avoid being a victim:
-KPD will never request payments via PayPal for fines or legal matters.
-All official communication will be sent by mail, not over the phone.
-Verify callers: If in doubt, contact KPD directly at (808) 241-1711.
-Be cautious of high-pressure tactics and urgent payment requests.
