Phishing Scams in Hawaiʻi: Don’t Get Caught in the Net

In Hawaiʻi, we value trust, community, and caring for our kūpuna. But even in paradise, online scammers are casting wider nets — and phishing scams have become one of the most common ways they trick people into giving up personal or financial information.

These scams often come through emails, text messages, or social media, pretending to be from trusted sources like banks, government agencies, or even local businesses. Their goal? To make you panic or act fast — before you realize it’s a trap.

A Real Phishing Example in Hawaiʻi

A Hawaiʻi resident recently received a text message claiming to be from their bank, warning that their account had been locked. The link looked legitimate — it even had the bank’s logo and colors. But the website was fake. Within minutes of entering their details, the scammer had full access to their account.

What they do: Scammers send messages that look like they’re from a legitimate source, often using a similar logo, name, or web address.
What they want: They try to get you to click a link leading to a fake website or reply with your personal information.
Why they do it: Their goal is to steal your identity, access your bank accounts, or install malware on your device.

How to Spot a Phishing Scam

Phishing messages can look convincing, but there are always red flags if you know what to look for:

1. Poor grammar or misspellings — official organizations rarely make language mistakes.
2. Urgent or threatening language — scammers create panic to push quick reactions.
3. Unusual links or attachments — hover over a link to check if it matches the official site.
4. Suspicious sender addresses — look closely at the email domain; scammers often change one letter or use lookalike addresses.

If something feels off, don’t click the link. Instead, contact the company or agency directly using their official website or phone number.

Another Example: The American Express Scam

According to Fortinet, scammers recently impersonated American Express, sending urgent text messages warning users that their accounts were compromised. The victims were directed to a fake login page, where they unknowingly handed over their personal information.

This scam followed the same playbook — urgency, authenticity, and emotional manipulation. Unfortunately, these tactics are effective across the islands and beyond.

Protecting Hawaiʻi’s Community

Phishing scams don’t just steal money — they damage trust. And in Hawaiʻi, where relationships and respect are deeply valued, that harm runs deep.

Here’s how you can protect yourself and your ʻohana:

• Think before you click. Legitimate organizations rarely ask for sensitive information via email or text.
• Verify the source. Call or visit the company’s website directly instead of using the link provided.
• Report suspicious messages. Contact your bank, the Hawaiʻi Office of Consumer Protection, or report to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
• Educate your kūpuna. Many scams target older adults — help them recognize the warning signs.

Together, we can protect our island community from these digital threats.

Final Thoughts

Phishing scams might be getting smarter, but so can we. By staying alert, sharing information, and supporting one another, we can keep Hawaiʻi’s community safe online — just as we do in everyday life.

Mahalo for doing your part to protect our neighbors and kūpuna from getting caught in the net.