Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs

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.

# # #

For more information, contact:
Krishna Jayaram, Special Assistant
Department of the Attorney General
(808) 586-1284
[email protected]
Web: https://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