Hawaii’s 808 area code is being used for fake tech support calls and subscription renewal scams. The goal is to trick you into paying for a service you do not need or did not order.
Scam & Spam Phone Number Lookup:
Our database contains over 25 million Do Not Call and robocall complaints reported to the FTC.
Scammers pretend to be from Microsoft, McAfee, Norton, or Geek Squad and send fake invoices or leave voicemails threatening to charge your account $399.99, $470.77, or $690.42 for service renewals you never purchased. A recorded message from "Cathy Jackson" claims to be from the "Microsoft Refund Department" and threatens to "auto charge" your "plastic card" if you don't call back immediately. They send emails about renewing a "McAfee Private Browser Web Privacy" plan for five years and insist you must get on your computer to process a refund. They use remote access to your computer to install malicious software or steal your banking information. Real companies never call unsolicited about refunds or threaten charges. They never ask for remote computer access.
"Dear customer this is a call from Windows Service Center we are regrettably closing our business for computer service and protection claim your refund asap or else your account will be auto charged 399 dollars and 99 cents for renewal press one to connect to our refund officers..."
Callers pretending to be from "National Disability" or the Social Security Administration use names like "Christine" or "Amber" and falsely claim you recently applied for disability benefits. They say you inquired about Social Security benefits when you haven't, threaten legal action, garnishment, or even "impeachment" if you don't respond, and pressure you by stating "fast action is required." The voicemails are robocalls with computer-simulated voices. They use any personal information you provide to steal your identity or access your benefits. Social Security primarily communicates through official mail. Real agents never call to threaten you or demand personal information.
"Hi this is Christine from national disability I'm calling because you had inquired about applying for mostly Social Security disability benefits now if you can call me back as soon as you can... we can get started on your application for monthly disability money... this is a time sensitive matter and fast action is required for these types of benefits..."
Scammers send text messages and emails that look like purchase confirmations from Amazon, PayPal, or Coinbase claiming you've been charged for a "Playstation 5" for $499, an "i-Phone 17 pro max" for $667.35, a Bitcoin purchase through PayPal, or a Samsung Smart Refrigerator for $2344.00. The messages contain typos, grammatical errors, or awkward phrasing and provide 808 numbers instead of official toll-free lines. They use any account passwords, credit card numbers, or financial information you reveal to "cancel" the fake order to steal from your real accounts. When you call their fake customer service number, you're walking into their trap.
"Received a text stating $499 was placed on my bank account for a playstation 5 through Amazon. I called the number and they answered as Amazon Customer Service. They offered to cancel the fraud account then transferred me to my 'bank'."
Callers identifying as "Beth" or "Meredith" ask "Can you hear me alright?" as soon as you answer, then hang up immediately after you say "yes." The calls come from unknown 808 numbers with no other information provided. They record your "yes" response and use it as a voice signature to authorize fraudulent charges or services on your accounts. Real callers identify themselves and state their purpose upfront. This specific question exists only to capture your voice.
"Waited til I answered to his question 'can you hear me okay' after I replied 'yes' he hung up abruptly."
Aggressive robocalls from people using names like "Brittany" or "Destiny" claim your car's warranty is about to expire and create false urgency by stating they have mailed you "several times." They mention warranties on cars you don't own, like a "Toyota," have thick accents, claim to have sent previous notices by mail you never received, become pushy when you say you're not interested, and call from 808 numbers while claiming to be from a national "Auto Service Department." They use high-pressure tactics to sell overpriced and unnecessary service contracts that aren't from your manufacturer. These calls are from third-party companies, not your dealership. Real warranty notices come by mail from your actual car manufacturer.
"Brittany left a message calling about the extended warranty on my Toyota... the one I don't have."
Text messages offer "Virtual Personal Assistant" jobs with suspiciously high pay like "$500 weekly" for only "10hrs/week" from people claiming to be "Jeffrey" or "Michahel" from LinkedIn. The texts contain spelling errors like "Intrested?", offer exceptionally high pay for part-time entry-level remote work, use generic email addresses like [email protected] instead of corporate ones, and arrive unsolicited via text. They trick you into a fake check scheme where they send you a fraudulent check, ask you to deposit it, then have you wire money back before the bank discovers the check is bad. Real recruiters contact professionals through LinkedIn's messaging system or corporate email, not random texts.
"Hi, I am Michahel from Linkedin. I am in need of a Virtual Personal Assistant/ errands person part-time basis for 10hrs/week at $500 weekly. Intrested? Email [email protected] for job description."
Area Code 808 phone numbers reported as unwanted calls to the FTC in the last 30 days.
(808) 862-6616
Other
4 reports ·
(808) 431-0571
Other
3 reports ·
(808) 649-4403
Reducing your debt (credit cards, mortgage, student loans)
2 reports ·
(808) 649-2034
Calls pretending to be government, businesses, or family and friends
2 reports ·
(808) 478-4732
Calls pretending to be government, businesses, or family and friends
2 reports ·
(808) 809-5518
Calls pretending to be government, businesses, or family and friends
2 reports ·
(808) 312-2367
Other
2 reports ·
(808) 374-5922
Other
2 reports ·
(808) 456-3199
Other
2 reports ·
(808) 301-1400
No Subject Provided
2 reports ·
No, area code 808 is not a scam. It's a legitimate telephone area code serving millions of legitimate residents and businesses in Hawaii, United States. Area code 808 is a general purpose code that has been in service since January 1, 1957.
You're likely experiencing "Neighbor Spoofing." Scammers fake their caller ID to display local or familiar numbers. If you live in or near , or have a 808 phone number yourself, scammers know you're more likely to answer what appears to be a local call.