The State continues to warn of a multitude of scams associated with the COVID-19 virus, the latest involving scammers impersonating contact tracers in an attempt to acquire personal information.

In its efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19, legitimate contact tracers are calling Hawai‘i residents who may have come into contact with someone who tested positive for the virus.  In Wednesday’s press conference with Gov. David Ige, State Department of Health Director Bruce Anderson said some of the most current cases on O’ahu were discovered through contact tracing.

Contact tracing is a vital tool to combat the pandemic, but contact tracers who are with the Hawaii State Department of Health will never ask residents for their Social Security Number, bank information, or a form of payment.

An authorized contact tracer will not disclose the identity of the person who tested positive.  If you have COVID-19 symptoms or test positive yourself,  the contact tracer may ask you for names and contact information for everyone you came in close contact with while possibly infectious so that they can contact those individuals as well.

If you have any doubts about a contact tracer who may be calling you, ask for their name and call back number, and then you may call the Hawaii Island branch of the State Department of Health at 808-974-6001.  The DOH cannot tell you who the infected person is, due to privacy laws, also known as  HIPPA laws, but you can give the DOH your name and ask if you are on the list of people who may have been exposed to COVID-19 and then ask that the DOH have the contact tracer call you back.