HONOLULU (HI Now) - As cybercriminals deploy increasingly sophisticated tactics, from AI voice clones to spoofed phone numbers, small business owners in Hawaii are facing higher risks of financial fraud.
In a recent interview on HI Now Daily, Sharene Urakami-Oyama, Vice President and Small Business Market Manager at Central Pacific Bank (CPB), shared critical insights on how local entrepreneurs can safeguard their operations and assets against modern scams.
Why Modern Scams Are So Convincing
According to Urakami-Oyama, fraudsters succeed primarily by exploiting human psychology—specifically trust, familiarity, and fear. By impersonating trusted institutions or business contacts and using familiar details, scammers create an artificial sense of panic to force immediate action.
Common tactics include fake invoices, wire transfer requests, phishing emails aimed at stealing login credentials, and scammers impersonating bank employees.
ADVERTISEMENT
Red Flags to Watch Out For
To avoid falling victim, stay vigilant for specific warning signs:
• Sudden Changes: Unexpected updates to payment or banking details.
• Unusual Urgency: Pressure to bypass standard operating procedures or act immediately.
• Discouraging Direct Contact: Requests urging you not to verify details through official, established channels.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Email alone is never independent verification,” Sharene noted, urging business owners to pause and confirm any high-risk transaction through a known, reliable phone number from the company’s official website.
The Reality of Electronic Payments
Once funds leave an account via wire or ACH transfer, recovering them is extremely difficult. Because wires move quickly, recall requests carry no guarantee of success, meaning a single fraudulent payment can result in substantial financial loss. Prevention before authorization remains a business’s primary defense.
Urakami-Oyama also reminded people of a crucial security rule: Central Pacific Bank will never call asking for passwords, PINs, or one-time passcodes.
Upcoming Fraud Prevention Webinars
To help local businesses stay ahead of evolving threats, Central Pacific Bank is hosting two upcoming educational webinars moderated by Urakami-Oyama alongside internal financial crimes and cash management experts:
• Nov. 17: An exclusive fraud prevention webinar for CPB small business customers.
• Dec. 3: A fraud prevention webinar open to the general public.
How to Learn More
For additional security resources and fraud prevention tips visit cpb.bank/fraud.
Copyright 2026 KHNL. All rights reserved.