Kauai police warn of scams following Hurricane Lowell
Scammers are targeting people affected by Hurricane Lowell, posing as recovery workers or charities to steal money or personal information.
How it works
Scammers contact disaster victims by phone, text, email, or in person. They claim to represent relief organizations, government agencies, or contractors offering aid or cleanup services. They ask for upfront payments, banking details, or personal information under the guise of processing assistance.
Red flags to watch for
- Requests for payment upfront or by wire transfer
- Pressure to act immediately to receive relief funds
- Caller or contact asks for Social Security number or bank details
- Organization name sounds similar to real relief agencies but URL or phone number is slightly off
- Unsolicited contact offering disaster recovery services
What to do
Do not give money or personal details to anyone who contacts you first. Contact relief organizations directly using phone numbers or websites you find yourself, not ones provided by the caller. Report suspected scams to local police, the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov, or call 1-877-438-4338. Ask for written documentation before paying any contractor.
If this reached you
Source: KHON2 Honolulu . Scam Sentinel summarizes this news report in plain language; it is a decision aid, not a guarantee.