HomeMy WebLinkAboutNR100517KPDwarnspublicofnewscamtargetingkupuna
C O U NT Y O F KAU A‘I
BERNARD P. CARVALHO JR.
Mayor
WALLACE G. REZENTES JR.
Managing Director
KAUA‘I POLICE DEPARTMENT
News Release
For Immediate Release: October 5, 2017
DARRYL PERRY, CHIEF
Tel (808) 241-1600
Fax (808) 241-1604
KPD warns public of new scam targeting kupuna
LĪHU‘E – The Kaua‘i Police Department is urging residents to be aware of a new scam
on the island that is targeting kupuna, ages 60 and older.
Police believe scammers are possibly targeting kupuna who are eligible for the Fall
Prevention and Wellness Program offered by the Agency on Elderly Affairs (AEA) and in
partnership with the Kaua‘i Fire Department, American Medical Response and the Hawai‘i State
Department of Health.
According to police there have been recent reports of a subject posing as a fire
prevention representative, and asking residents to enter their home to check on items such as
smoke detectors. However, this is not the proper protocol for the Kaua‘i Fire Prevention Bureau.
“The Kaua‘i Fire Department will not make prior phone contact or show up unannounced
to someone’s home,” stated Fire Chief Robert Westerman. Fire officials are urging the public to
be watchful and report anything suspicious to police.
“Do not let anyone into your home that you don’t know or don’t have a scheduled
appointment with,” stated Kaua‘i Police Chief Darryl Perry. “If you see anything suspicious, try to
remember as many details as possible because any information could be helpful in a follow-up
investigation.”
Police also recommend taking notice of key details such as the type of car a suspect is
driving, their license plate number, and the suspect(s) appearance.
The Fall Prevention and Wellness Program is a service for kupuna ages 60 and older to
ensure safe living conditions by offering scheduled home inspections, installation of fall and fire
prevention equipment, and medication reviews. AEA officials offer these reminders to help
kupuna identify the proper protocol for this program:
Home inspections are always pre-scheduled through the AEA office.
Officials will always arrive in a County of Kaua‘i vehicle and be in uniform.
Officials will have proper identification and be accompanied by a member of the
AEA.
Officials will never ask you for personal information over the phone.
If you suspect a scam, please call the Kaua'i Police Department at 241-1711.
For more information about AEA’s Fall Prevention Program, please call 241-4470.
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