Reported by Star-Bulletin staff & wire
Thursday, October 14, 1999
FBI investigates Hawaii online scam
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating the second case of e-mail fraud targeting customers of Internet service provider GST Hawaii OnLine in the past week.The counterfeit e-mail, claiming to represent GST's billing department, said accounts were overdue and asked that passwords and credit card numbers be sent to an unaffiliated Web site. GST quickly moved to block access to one site last Thursday and another on Tuesday, advising its 15,000 customers to be wary of the solicitations. The company said it does not request credit card or password information by e-mail. A GST spokesman said the FBI is investigating the matter.
GST in 1998 advised its 15,000 customers to change their Internet-access passwords after a hacker gained access to private accounts. The company said it planned to upgrade its security system.
New owner reopens Nissan dealership
The former Windward Nissan on Kahuhipa Street in Kaneohe has reopened under the name King Windward Nissan. The auto dealership was purchased in February by Charles "Charlie" King and Ron Hansen, owners of King Auto Center on Kauai. The Kaneohe dealership, which employs about 40, was closed for renovations, including a new air-conditioned customer lounge.
Mortgage rates creep toward 8%
WASHINGTON -- The average interest rate on 30-year fixed-rate mortgages inched up to 7.85 percent this week, from 7.82 percent last week, according to a weekly survey released today by Freddie Mac, the mortgage company.Mortgages rates have been on an upward climb this year. The average rates on a 30-year mortgage have hit a low of 6.74 percent set at the end of January and a high of 8.15 percent set in mid August.
Fifteen-year mortgages averaged 7.45 percent this week, also up from the average of 7.43 percent last week. One-year, adjustable-rate mortgages averaged initial rate of 6.31 percent, up from 6.27 percent.