RELEASE: PUBLIC URGED TO BE VIGILANT AGAINST CONTRACTOR FRAUD FOLLOWING STATEWIDE DISASTER
Posted on Apr 7, 2026 in Latest Department News, Newsroom
STATE OF HAWAI?I
KA MOKU ??INA O HAWAI?I
JOSH GREEN, M.D.
GOVERNOR
KE KIA??INA
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS
KA ?OIHANA PILI K?LEPA
NADINE Y. ANDO
DIRECTOR
KA LUNA HO?OKELE
Public Urged to be Vigilant Against Contractor Fraud Following Statewide Disaster
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 7, 2026
HONOLULU — In the wake of recent statewide flooding and widespread property damage affecting communities across Hawai?i, homeowners and residents are urged to exercise caution and prioritize hiring licensed contractors for rebuilding and repair projects. The Hawai?i Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) emphasizes the importance of choosing licensed professionals to ensure safety, adherence to…
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MANAGEMENT & CULTURE (THE “TONE AT THE TOP”)
Fraud thrives in “sloppy” environments where leadership ignores the rules.
- The Fraud Triangle: For fraud to occur, three elements must be present: Pressure (the need for money), Rationalization (thinking “I deserve this”), and Opportunity (weak controls). You can only control the Opportunity.
- Whistleblower Hotline: Provide an anonymous way for staff to report “odd behavior.” Most internal frauds are caught via tips, not audits.
- Background Checks: Conduct credit and criminal record checks for all employees in financial or data-sensitive roles.
- Annual Ethics Training: Make sure every staff member knows that the company has a Zero Tolerance policy toward “borrowing” from petty cash or fudging overtime.