Hawaiian Telcom is warning customers to be wary of calls from telemarketers who claim to offer long distance services on behalf of the company.

That's after callers who identified themselves as being from "US Telcom" or "Global Crossing" also misrepresented themselves as agents of Hawaiian Telcom authorized to sell long-distance plans.

A spokeswoman said Hawaiian Telcom does not make unsolicited contact to sell long-distance plans, nor does the company authorize others to sell long distance plans on our behalf. These solicitors also request personal information, such as birth dates and Social Security numbers, which Hawaiian Telcom would not.

"We hold our customers' information to the highest standards of confidentiality, but there will always be predators who misrepresent themselves to try to take advantage of you," said John Komeiji, senior vice president and general counsel. He reminded consumers to not reveal personal information in a call they did not initiate.

Consumers can report such calls to Hawaiian Telcom's Corporate Security department at 643-7111.