Hawaii County police are warning the public about a possible telephone scam.

A woman using a hearing impaired phone service called a Hilo restaurant to place a large telephone order. The caller then requested that an additional $700 be deducted from her credit card and sent by a local money transfer service to a private shipper. The caller asked that the discussion be continued by e-mail.

The restaurant owner recognized the suspicious request and e-mailed the caller, asking for clarification. The caller failed to reply.

Police advise the public not to respond to suspicious e-mails or phone calls, especially those requesting personal information or suspicious money transactions.

Police also caution that if someone requests a transaction significantly higher than the asking price of any item for sale and then wants the remaining funds sent back, the request is likely a scam.