Hawaii’s BBB is warning consumers about phone scammers who are using the BBB name to trick people into believing they have won a prize package. Hawaii’s BBB got the first report of this fake prize scam earlier this week, and similar stories have emerged from BBBs on the Mainland as well.
In one instance, a Honolulu woman got a phone call from a man named Michael Kobani who said he worked for the Better Business Bureau. He told her that she had won a cash prize package and he was trying to help her claim it.
Kobani told her that she had won $900,000 in a sweepstakes lottery and all she had to do to receive the prize was wire $1,000 to his California address. Thankfully, a scam-savvy employee at the Dillingham Money Mart refused to conduct the transaction. When he did not receive the money, Kobani called the woman the next day and told her to go to her bank and send him a money order instead. That’s when she called Hawaii’s BBB.
“Scammers use the well-known and trusted name of BBB to make themselves seem legitimate,” said Dwight Kealoha, CEO of Hawaii’s BBB. “Aside from trying to help people avoid these scams, BBB has nothing to do with sweepstakes, giving away money, or contacting prize winners.”
Fake lotteries, sweepstakes or other prize offers was the number one scam in the state last year, with Hawaii’s BBB receiving more than 1,800 related complaints, reports and inquiries. However, some people do not want to believe that the unexpected news of a windfall is simply setting them up for a rip-off.
“Despite our best efforts to convince her otherwise,” Kealoha said, “the Honolulu woman is still accepting calls from this guy and she really doesn’t want to believe that he’s up to no good.” Whether or not Kobani’s name and address are real, Kealoha said that Hawaii’s BBB has forwarded the information to federal authorities for investigation.
BBB offers the following tips on how to avoid lottery, sweepstakes, or other prize fraud:
- Do not pay to collect your winnings. Legitimate sweepstakes or contests don't require up front tax payments, or charge insurance, delivery or other fees to collect a prize.
- Hold on to your money. Scammers pressure people to wire funds through money transfer companies because wiring money is the same as sending cash—but when the money's gone, there's very little chance of recovery. They may also ask for a check or money order sent by overnight delivery or courier. Rip-off artists like these services because they can get to your money before you realize that you've been cheated.
- When in doubt, check it out with Hawaii’s BBB. Verify written offers and tell any suspicious caller that you are going to check with BBB before agreeing to anything—and do so.
If you or someone you know is contacted about winning a prize in a contest that was not entered,
report it to Hawaii’s BBB.
Established in 1945, Hawaii’s Better Business Bureau® (BBB) is the local authority on trust in the marketplace. BBB is an unbiased, nonprofit organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. Only businesses and charities that meet and adhere to BBB standards can receive BBB accreditation. Hawaii’s BBB provides objective advice, free business and charity reports, and educational resources on topics affecting marketplace trust. BBB also offers fair and timely dispute resolution programs for consumers and businesses. BBB resources are available online at bbb.org.
