HAWAII COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT
PUNA COMMUNITY POLICING PROGRAM
OFFICER ROBERT E. ALMEIDA
PHONE: 966-5835
JULY 18, 2002
MEDIA RELEASE
Police are warning Big Island residents about a telephone scam in which a company promises to take the recipient’s name off a list for telemarketers, implying the service is free, and then charges a $299 fee.
According to reports received by police, a company identifying itself Universal Benefits, has been calling residents and telling them it will take the their names off a list used by telemarketers.
The company then asks for a recipient’s bank account and credit information.
The company implies that it will provide the service free, but instead actually charges $299 for the service, which is charged to the recipient’s account.
Police are cautioning residents about giving their checking account, savings account or credit card numbers over the phone.
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