Hotline set up to help prevent disaster-related scams

Japanese authorities have set up a toll-free hotline to help prevent scammers from targeting those left vulnerable by the earthquake in central Japan on January 1. The Consumer Affairs Agency and the National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan urge caution about malicious business practices, and encourage people in the affected areas to seek telephone consultations.

The agency says it received 42 consumer consultations related to the earthquake as of the morning of January 12. Some callers reported suspicious encounters, such as visits from unknown contractors soliciting roof repair work.

The center set up a toll-free telephone number on January 15 to offer consultation with its professional staff, in order to help prevent consumer troubles such as fraud and malicious business practices that often arise in the wake of such disasters.

・Consultation is available at the toll-free number: 0120-797-188. (Japanese only)
　
・Calls are accepted from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. every day, including weekends and holidays.
　
・Services are only for those in the affected prefectures of Ishikawa, Niigata, Toyama, and Fukui.

The National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan has prepared posters such as this one to warn against scams and malicious business practices.

The Consumer Affairs Agency says residents in other parts of the country have received phone calls from people claiming to be city officials asking for donations for disaster relief, among other suspected scams.

The agency is asking those outside of the four affected prefectures to contact their local Consumer Affairs Center, or call the nationwide Consumer Hotline 188.

This information is current as of January 15, 2024.