BUSINESS BRIEFS
Vehicle warranty scam hits Islands
Advertiser Staff
The state's Office of Consumer Protection is warning residents about a vehicle warranty scam that is targeting Hawai'i consumers.
During the past month, OCP has received complaints from consumers about repeated phone calls from various companies that are allegedly selling extended auto warranties.
The companies offer to sell "outrageously priced" extended warranties while trying to get confidential personal financial information from the consumers, according to the state.
Among the purported warranty companies identified on the calls are: National Auto Warranty Services, Warranty Service Center, National Auto Warranty and Warranty Activation Headquarters.
"If they call you, just hang up," warned Stephen Levins, executive director for the Office of Consumer Protection. "Don't give them any personal information, especially your banking, credit card or Social Security numbers. These scammers are interested in one thing and one thing only: to rip you off."
FINALISTS NAMED FOR TORCH AWARDS
Hawai'i's Better Business Bureau has announced the finalists of its 2008 BBB Torch Awards. The awards recognize businesses, charities and individuals "for their outstanding commitment to fair, honest and ethical marketplace practices."
The 2008 BBB Torch Awards finalists are:
Winners will be announced at a luncheon April 17 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Resort & Spa.
PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS TO BE OFFERED
D.R. Horton-Schuler Division said buyers of new homes at its Kahiwelo at Makakilo community will be offered an option of having 2-kilowatt photovoltaic systems installed that will help homeowners with electricity bills.
The company said it and a division of Hoku Scientific Inc. will be marketing the systems to homebuyers. Kahiwelo at Makakilo is planned to consist of 747 single-family homes and be built out through 2015.
TALK SET ON DOING BUSINESS IN CHINA
A workshop for companies interested in doing business in Hong Kong and mainland China is set for 5 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday in Room 202 of Honolulu's Foreign Trade Zone No. 9 at 521 Ala Moana. The Hong Kong Business Association of Hawaii is hosting the event, which will include presentations by Gautam Bardoloi, associate partner with IBM Business Consulting Services, and Gregory Barbour, chief administrator of the Foreign Trade Zone Division of the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.
The workshop will include a live teleconference link with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council in Hong Kong. Businesses on Maui also will be able to join via teleconference from Maui Community College. Tickets for the event in Hono-lulu, which includes pupu and refreshments, are $20. Businesses on Maui can participate for free.
For more information, call 544-9526 before Wednesday.
