LIHUE — The County of Kauai is warning the public of a new scam involving fraudulent letters falsely claiming to be from the Kauai County Council.
The letters, sent through the mail, attempt to mislead recipients by using official-looking formatting and language.
Versions of the letter contain the County of Kauai Seal and statements regarding illegal use of fireworks, county ordinances, enforcement actions or penalties. Officials stress that this correspondence is not legitimate and did not originate from the Kauai County Council or any county department.
Residents are urged to be cautious and verify any suspicious communication.
Under Hawaii law, impersonating a public servant is a crime covered by HRS 710-1016. Impersonating a public servant is classified as a misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail or a fine of up to $2,000.
Key tips to avoid falling victim:
• All official communication from the Kauai County Council will be sent through the Office of the County Clerk or an individual councilmember. Please note that all letters from the Office of the County Clerk will be signed.
• If in doubt, do not respond to or act on letters demanding immediate action or threatening penalties.
• Contact the Office of the County Clerk at 808-241-4188, the Kauai Fire Department at 808-241-4980, or the Kauai Police Department at 808-241-1711 to verify the authenticity of any questionable correspondence.
• Be cautious of high-pressure tactics or threats demanding personal information, payments or compliance with alleged legal action.
• Family members and caretakers of elderly residents are encouraged to discuss these scam warnings with loved ones.
Anyone who receives a suspicious letter or believes this scam has targeted them is encouraged to report it immediately to the Kauai Police Department or the County Clerk’s Office.
Source: The Garden Island