It has come to our attention that financial advisers have been soliciting teachers through their Hawaii State Department of Education (HIDOE) email accounts.
The HIDOE confirms that these companies are not authorized to use its email system, and are not approved contractors with the department.
Should you receive an email from a financial advisory committee to your HIDOE email and you are not a current client, please be sure to forward a copy to phishing-report@k12.hi.us, so the department can follow up.
The Hawaii State Teachers Association immediately alerted the HIDOE after receiving questions and complaints from Leeward and Windward chapter members about the unsolicited emails. The department began investigating and has already contacted the companies and ordered them to stop sending emails.
We know financial and retirement planning is an important issue. The HSTA partners with NEA Member Benefits (MB) to provide members with service and support.
NEA MB has taken the responsibility to both vet and approve local financial advisers who operate under the NEA Retirement Specialists umbrella. HSTA members can schedule one-on-one appointments with these specialists or attend their free virtual webinars.