IMPORTANT! – SCAM ALERT – Phone Calls from Fake Institutional Numbers Claiming to be DPS

October 29, 2023 UHM Announce

UH Mānoa Department of Public Safety (DPS) has received reports of scam phone calls being made to parents of student athletes. As indicated in the email to all UH Mānoa student athletes dated June 1, 2023, this is a national scam that is occurring at institutions across the United States. A second notice was sent to all student athletes on August 23, 2023, but the scam calls have continued.

About the Scam
At UH Mānoa, parents of several athletes have received scam calls from numbers ”spoofing” the UH Mānoa DPS phone number. During these phone calls, the caller claims to be a DPS staff member (usually an officer, sergeant, or lieutenant) and tells the parent that their son or daughter has been detained and that money is needed to bail them out. They request that immediate payment be made (via Venmo, bank transfer, or other electronic means) in order to release their son or daughter from custody.

Please be aware that DPS will never make a call to solicit money. DPS is working with UH Athletics and Honolulu Police to ensure that this matter is being handled appropriately. It is not believed, at this point in time, that there has been a data breach at UH, as many student athlete media profiles contain the names of parents on the public website.

If You Receive a Call that You Believe is a Scam
If you receive a call from someone claiming to be from DPS or any other UH Mānoa department, please copy the phone number in your caller ID and report the phone call immediately to UH Mānoa Department of Public Safety at (808) 956-6911.

In each announcement, we have encouraged student athletes to share this information with their teammates, coaches, and parents so they are aware of this scam and can report any further incidents to DPS immediately. We appreciate your cooperation in ensuring the safety and security of UH Mānoa campus. Mahalo!

UH Mānoa Department of Public Safety

 

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