Servco Auto is warning its customers about an extended vehicle warranty phone scam that is targeting its customers.
The dealership group said Thursday it has received numerous customer complaints about repeat phone calls from various “companies” that are selling extended automotive warranties. In some cases the scammers offering to sell the warranties are also trying to get personal and financial information.
The scammers responsible for these calls usually don’t know whether the call recipient is a Servco Auto customer or even a vehicle owner. They are calling random numbers in a geographic area.
Servco Auto wants to remind its customers:
>> It does not call, email or text-message customers to extend vehicle warranties.
>> If a customer receives a call to extend a vehicle warranty, they should immediately hang up.
Servpac gives employees $1,000 bonuses
Honolulu-based independent telecom Servpac Inc. said Thursday that all 20 employees will receive a $1,000 bonus.
The company, which has more than 1,000 customers, said the move was prompted by the tax cuts signed into law Friday by President Donald Trump that will cut the federal corporate tax rates to 21 percent from 35 percent. Servpac’s customers include Zippy’s, Don Quijote, City Mill and Roberts Hawaii. Servpac delivers VoIP, internet and cloud services.
“The new tax reform affords Servpac an opportunity to build out our current infrastructure, and ensures the continued support of our customers,” CEO Richard Zheng said. “The bonuses are our way of sharing in the good news with our valued employees, who are our first investment. It’s important they know how vital they are to our success.”
In addition to the $1,000 holiday bonus, Servpac said it will reimburse employees for their cellphone use and home internet service in 2017 and will continue paying for those services in 2018.
30-year-mortgage rates rise to 3.99%
WASHINGTON >> Long-term U.S. mortgage rates increased this week, although they’re lower than a year ago.
Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday that the average rate on 30-year fixed-rate mortgages rose to 3.99 percent, up from 3.94 percent last week. That average marks a five-month high, but it’s still lower than the 4.32 percent of a year ago. The rate on 15-year fixed-rate mortgages increased to an average 3.44 percent from 3.38 percent in the prior week. The 15-year averaged 3.55 percent a year ago.
ON THE MOVE
AHL, one of Hawaii’s largest and oldest architectural firms, has announced the addition of several staff members:
>> Lexi Dentino has joined the firm as a designer and will help support the project team in planning the Oahu Community Correctional Center relocation. Dentino was previously a draftsperson and CAD operator at Architects Pacific Inc. in Honolulu.
>> Ben Gathright has joined AHL as a senior designer, working on Moanalua High School’s Performing Arts Center. Gathright was previously a director of development and research at Tappe Architects in Boston.
>> Sona Kremitovska is a new designer at AHL and will work on Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa. Kremitovska was previously a designer for Hudson Kruse Design in Toronto.