Hawaii Electric Light Co. is warning electric customers of an apparent telephone scam targeting business customers on Hawaii Island.
Customers have reported receiving calls threatening immediate disconnection unless they pay their bill by making a money transfer or cash express payment via a bill payment machine at a retail establishment. The utility does not accept bill payments via MoneyGram and Green Dot MoneyPak.
Rhea Lee-Moku, HELCO spokesperson, said customers should be cautious when responding to callers who demand immediate payment. Before providing any information, HELCO advises customers to get the person’s name and phone number and then to call HELCO’s customer service center to verify the call.
If someone has already made a payment, do not call an 800 number to provide the confirmation number or to report it. Instead, call the customer service center and report any suspicious activity to police.
Customers wishing to pay their electric bills in person may do so at the utility’s customer service offices in Hilo and Kona. In addition, official walk-in payments may also be made at the following First Hawaiian Bank, Foodland, Sack-N-Save, Kmart, Safeway, Walmart and Western Union.
Info: 329-3584 in Kona, 885-4605 in Waimea and 969-6999 in Hilo.