Bonnie Horibata | Jul 6, 2020 | Wisdoms
Work-at-home and make $500 dollars a day, lose 30 lbs. in one week, and the secrets of becoming financially secure for the price of shipping and handling all “risk free.” Hawai‘i’s Better Business Bureau (BBB) warns against offers that claim a “risk free” trial but takes your payment information up front. Many consumers allege that after providing credit card or banking information that they are bombarded with fees and other charges before the free trial is over.
Christopher Duque, Online Security Advisor | Mar 28, 2020 | April - May 2020, Wisdoms
How do you know that you are the target of a scam? Here are some red flags that you should be aware of…
Christopher Duque, Online Security Advisor | Dec 7, 2019 | Dec 2019 - Jan 2020, Wisdoms
If you want to make a donation, first go online and research the charity. Check the Better Business Bureau or the Federal Trade Commission for any scams or complaints connected to the organization. Scammers attempt to fool you into thinking they are a legitimate, so before donating, verify that the URL and email address are correct.
Scott Spallina, Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney | Dec 7, 2019 | Dec 2019 - Jan 2020, Wisdoms
I was a guest on “Generations Radio,” AM 690, on Nov. 22, 2019 with Lt. John McCarthy of the Financial Crimes Unit of the Honolulu Police Department. The 39-year department veteran is nationally recognized as an expert in financial crimes and elder abuse. On the show, we discussed how scams go undetected because victims don’t recognize the warning signs of abuse. What follows are danger signals that should prompt further investigation…
Scott Spallina, Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney | May 27, 2019 | June - July 2019, Wisdoms
The term “stealing home” is associated with baseball. It occurs when a runner is on third base and uses guile, speed and luck to make a dash for home plate to score a run. This usually happens when the runner takes advantage of the pitcher being distracted. In the Elder Abuse Unit, however, my team has come to know the term in a different context. We have seen situations when a homeowner literally has had their residence stolen.
Scott Spallina, Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney | Feb 2, 2019 | February - March 2019, Wisdoms
It is only by knowing what is going on in our parents’ and grandparents’ lives that we can prevent certain abuses from occurring. Get involved and find out your loved one’s routine. Talk to them. Any deviation from their norm may be a warning sign to you that they are being targeted for a possible scam.
Christopher Duque, Online Security Advisor | Dec 2, 2018 | Dec 2018 Jan 2019, Wisdoms
With all the natural disasters happening throughout the world, unscrupulous scammers are looking to take advantage of our empathy and generosity as we seek ways to help the victims of those disasters. These scammers will be soliciting donations using telephone messages, emails, and even social networking services like Facebook.
Christopher Duque, Online Security Advisor | Sep 26, 2018 | Living Life, October - November 2018
One of the trending online fraud schemes involves being contacted by either friends or relatives via email or through social networking services like Facebook about receiving large amounts of money through investments, a class action lawsuit, or even a random contest drawing. However, these “friends” or “relatives” are NOT who they claim to be.
Staff of Clay Chapman Iwamura Pulice & Nervell, Attorneys at Law | Jul 29, 2018 | August - September 2018, Wisdoms
Only one out of every 44 cases of financial abuse among the elderly ever gets reported and even fewer make it to trial. This is the true story of one of those cases.
Christopher Duque, Online Security Advisor | Jul 29, 2018 | August - September 2018, Living Life
Purchasing medication and even filling prescriptions online can be a risky process, but the chances of being victimized can be greatly reduced by taking a few necessary precautions. Avoid email scams Try not to respond to email “spam.” But if you are inclined to do...
Scott Spallina, Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney | May 20, 2018 | June - July 2018, Wisdoms
I have been with the Prosecutor’s Office now for over 22 years, and 10 years ago created the Elder Abuse Unit. This unit was the first (and still is the only) team in Hawai‘i dedicated to prosecuting felony offenses where the victims were 60 years of age or older.
Scott Spallina, Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney | Feb 2, 2018 | February - March 2018, Wisdoms
On average, I get one to three calls a day from the public seeking advice about elder abuse. Fortunately, only about 20 percent of the calls involve matters needing my office’s involvement. The rest are from people that see “elder abuse” in our name and hope we can help with their situation.
Jane Burigsay, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist in Hawai‘i | Dec 2, 2017 | Dec 2017 - January 2018, Programs & Services
Q I heard there is a Social Security video available in American Sign Language. Where can I find it? A Yes, it’s true. The video is called “Social Security, SSI and Medicare: What You Need to Know About These Vital Programs.” The video is available in American Sign...
Scott Spallina, Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney | Jul 26, 2017 | Aug-Sept 2017, Wisdoms
By Scott Spallina, Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney In the last two issues of the magazine, I shared the lessons about elder abuse that I learned from the experiences of my mother-in-law, “Mary.” As I have mentioned before, tragedies are the fuel for many a con and...
Eileen Phillips, RN, Attention Plus Care | Jul 24, 2017 | Aug-Sept 2017, Giving Care
By Eileen Phillips, RN, Attention Plus Care Life is full of choices as a consumer. We try to make informed choices but sometimes getting there takes a bit of experience and know-how. Online product or service reviews are helpful at times but can mean different things...
Scott Spallina, Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney | Dec 1, 2013 | Articles, December - January 2014, Wisdoms
When Betty Lau (victim’s name changed) of Kaimuki opened her mail, she could not believe how lucky she was to find out that she won the $3-million Australian Lottery. The official looking letter explained that an unnamed company bought her a ticket as a promotional...
Timothy Caminos, Director of Communications, Hawaii’s Better Business Bureau | Feb 1, 2013 | Articles, February - March 2013, Wisdoms
This time of year, fliers, yard signs, emails and other advertisements offering tax preparation assistance and promising bigger, faster refunds are popping up everywhere. When you alone are ultimately responsible for the information on your tax returns, how do you...
Timothy Caminos, Director of Communications, Hawaii’s Better Business Bureau | Oct 1, 2012 | Articles, October - November 2012, Wisdoms
How money coming in is actually going out Western Union, Moneygram and similar businesses allow you to send money quickly. Their services are useful for transmitting funds to friends, relatives and others you know well. But scammers frequently take advantage of...
Timothy Caminos, Director of Communications, Hawaii’s Better Business Bureau | Apr 1, 2012 | Articles, Wisdoms
Recently, across the Islands, senior citizens have become the target of “contractor” scams, where scammers perform home improvement and repairs that ultimately cheat or rip off consumers. Senior citizens are often the target of these scams primarily because they are...
Timothy Caminos, Director of Communications, Hawaii’s Better Business Bureau | Feb 1, 2012 | Articles, February - March 2012, Wisdoms
It’s no secret that con-artists go where the money is. That means that schemers and scammers target citizens who are retired or who are about to retire who have been accumulating money through their retirement plans, real-estate and their personal bank accounts. The...
Bonnie Horibata | Jun 1, 2011 | Articles, June - July 2011, Wisdoms
The best protection against fraud is information and communication. Being open and aware of what’s going on in our friends’ and family’s lives; taking the time to talk about day-to-day events and even watching over each other is vital for many reasons. As much as we’d...
