HONOLULU — The Honolulu Police Department (HPD) is reminding the public to stay alert to phone scams involving caller ID spoofing, where scammers disguise their phone numbers to appear as if they are from a trusted source.
Caller ID spoofing allows scammers to manipulate what appears on your phone’s display, making it seem like the call is coming from a legitimate number. Victims may be tricked into sharing personal information or making payments over the phone.
The public is reminded of the following:
- Don’t rely on the caller ID. Scammers can fake numbers to make their calls look legitimate.
- If you answer the call, hang up immediately and call the company back using the official number listed on its website.
- Protect your personal information and never share it during an unexpected or suspicious call.
- Don’t send cash or forward payments using gift cards.
- Report scams by filing a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission and the Federal Trade Commission.
- If you lost money because of a scam, file an online police report with HPD.
Caller ID spoofing is a growing national issue, and HPD urges residents to help protect themselves and their community by spreading awareness about these scams.