RELEASE: HAWAII’S FRAUD PREVENTION AND RESOURCE GUIDE, EDITION 3: KEEPING HAWAII SAFE FROM CRIME
DAVID Y. IGE GOVERNOR
CLARE E. CONNORS ATTORNEY GENERAL
CATHERINE AWAKUNI COLÓN DIRECTOR, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS
CAROLINE CADIRAO DIRECTOR, EXECUTIVE OFFICE ON AGING
For Immediate Release News Release 2020-74 July 20, 2020
HAWAII’S FRAUD PREVENTION AND RESOURCE GUIDE, EDITION 3: KEEPING HAWAII SAFE FROM CRIME
HONOLULU – The Department of the Attorney General has partnered with the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Office of the Securities Commissioner and Department of Health, Executive Office on Aging, Senior Medicare Patrol Program to provide Hawaii’s seniors, their caregivers, and others with information on how to keep safe from becoming a victim of fraud and scams.
Fraud activity continues to grow at an alarming rate. In 2018, close to $1.5 billion was lost nationally, with $6 million stolen in Hawaii. Unfortunately, this has devastated local families whose savings, retirement, and investments fell prey to fraud and scams. Anyone can be victimized.
The “Hawaii’s Fraud Prevention and Resource Guide,” is in its third edition with new and current information to keep Hawaii’s residents safe. Residents can borrow the Guide from any of their state libraries (check for days and times of operation) or go online to download a personal copy at: ag.hawaii.gov, investing.hawaii.gov, or smphawaii.org. Hard copies of the Guides will also be available at the DCCA Office Building at 335 Merchant on the 1st and 2nd floor brochure racks while supplies last.
“This Guide not only provides information on ways to keep you safe from various frauds and scams, but also provides you with a wealth of resources from federal, state, and local agencies,” said Attorney General Clare E. Connors. “We all need to work together to prevent crime and to avoid becoming victims of crime.”
“I am extremely proud of the collaborative effort between our team and other government agencies in producing this invaluable resource for Hawaii residents. It could not come at a more critical time with an increasing number of unscrupulous attempts to defraud consumers during the COVID-19 pandemic and economic downturn,” says Catherine Awakuni Colón, Director, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.
“This resource further demonstrates the Executive Office on Aging’s (EOA) commitment to ensure older adults have access to available services because of our valuable public and private sector partnerships. By working closely and collaboratively, EOA’s direct service programs continue to provide advocacy, education, information, referrals and outreach to individuals and communities statewide. Hawaii’s Fraud Prevention and Resource Guide provides the most current and accurate information for Hawaii’s older adults and people with disabilities for their safety, health and well-being,” says Caroline Cadirao, Director, Executive Office on Aging.
Earlier on March 31, 2020, the Department of the Attorney General in partnership with the Office of Consumer Protection issued a Consumer Alert: Avoiding COVID-19 Scams, cautioning the public with respect to online shopping, receiving telephone and text messages, counterfeit product offers, bogus door to door tests and virus-related products, and phony charity donation requests.
That Consumer Alert is available at https://cca.hawaii.gov/blog/consumer-alert-avoid-covid-19-scams/.
Ways to Avoid Scams:
- Do NOT click on email attachments from strangers or from any suspicious email.
- Shred mail with personal information before you throw it away.
- Get written copies of anything you sign.
- Stop, check and verify the person or organization calling you.
- Always review your financial and medical statements.
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For more information, contact: Krishna Jayaram, Special Assistant Department of the Attorney General (808) 586-1284 [email protected] Web: http://ag.hawaii.gov Twitter: @ATGHIgov
Valerie Mariano, Branch Chief, Community and Crime Prevention Branch Crime Prevention and Justice Assistance Division Department of the Attorney General (808) 586-1444 [email protected]
Jayson Horiuchi, Communications Officer Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs [email protected] (808) 586-7582 https://cca.hawaii.gov/ @DCCAHawaii investing.hawaii.gov @HiSecurities
Janice Okubo, Public Information Officer/Communications Director Department of Health [email protected] (808) 586-4445
Caroline Cadirao, Director Executive Office on Aging [email protected] (808) 586-0100 health.hawaii.gov/eoa/ smphawaii.org