https://www.chepicap.com/en/news/3050/h ... tcoin.htmlHawaiian bitcoin scam preys on electricity users
20 AUG, 2018BY RICHARD ALLEN NEWS
Hawaiian bitcoin scam preys on electricity users
In a new spin on an old trick, scammers in Hawaii are targeting customers of Hawaiian Electric, Maui Electric, and Hawaii Electric Light saying they have overdue electricity bills that must be paid in bitcoin.
According to Khon2, three businesses in Oahu have already fallen for the scam, paying hundreds of dollars’ worth of bitcoin after the scammers threatened to disconnect their electricity if immediate payment wasn’t received.
Shannon Tangonan, director of corporate communications at Hawaii Electric said, “They weren't even overdue, but the scammers sounded so convincing that these business owners were willing to pay. They actually went to a bitcoin machine as directed by these scammers and fed cash into the machines, which then transfers it into digital currency."
The scammers even offered a callback number, that, when rang, provided automated prompts similar to that used by the actual companies.
"They sound so convincing. Even when they ask you to call back, they have prompts that sound or mimic our prompts when we have automated calls or recorded messages.” Tangonan said.
Reports of the scam began emerging earlier this month. Utilities United Against Scams (UUAS), a national consortium of utility providers, reported that hundreds of fake calls were being made demanding bitcoin.
Hawaii Electric doesn’t accept bitcoin as a form of payment, and customers should hang up and report the incident to their electricity provider via their website or the number provided on their bill.