LIHU‘E — Hawaiian Telcom never makes unsolicited contact to sell long-distance plans, the company said in a press release warning customers about a possible telemarketing scam. “Be wary of calls from telemarketers who claim to offer long-distance services on the
LIHU‘E — Hawaiian Telcom never makes unsolicited contact to sell long-distance plans, the company said in a press release warning customers about a possible telemarketing scam.
“Be wary of calls from telemarketers who claim to offer long-distance services on the company’s behalf,” and never offer personal information like birth date and Social Security number to unknown callers, the company said in the release.
Recently, Hawaiian Telcom was made aware that solicitors who identify themselves as “US Telcom” or “Global Crossing” callers have misrepresented themselves as agents of Hawaiian Telcom authorized to sell long-distance plans on the company’s behalf.
Hawaiian Telcom does not make unsolicited contact to sell long-distance plans, nor does the company authorize others to sell long-distance plans on the company’s behalf, according to the release.
These solicitors request personal information, such as birth dates and Social Security numbers, which Hawaiian Telcom would never do, states the release.
“We hold our customers’ information to the highest standards of confidentiality, but there will always be predators who misrepresent themselves to try to take advantage of you,” said John Komeiji, senior vice president and general counsel.
“Guard your personal information carefully and never reveal any of it on calls that you did not initiate,” Komeiji said in the release.
There has been only one report of such contact made to any of Hawaiian Telcom’s Kaua‘i customers, said Ann Nishida-Fry, senior manager of corporate communications, in e-mails Tuesday afternoon.
Anyone receiving such calls can report the calls to Hawaiian Telcom’s corporate security department toll-free at 643-7111, and should not give the caller any personal information, according to the release.
For added protection, customers may call Hawaiian Telcom’s Customer Contact Center toll-free at 643-3456 and request a “PIC freeze.”
PIC, or Presubscribed Interexchange Carrier, is the telecommunications industry name for a long-distance carrier. When a PIC is frozen, the customer’s long-distance carrier cannot be changed unless the customer calls Hawaiian Telcom and authorizes the change.
For more information, visit www.hawaiiantel.com.
