Beware of overseas number phone scams, Japan’s consumer watchdog warns

The Consumer Affairs Agency is advising people to ignore unfamiliar payment requests over the phone, even if a major company is named. Wire

by JESSICA SPEED
Jul 9, 2024

The Consumer Affairs Agency has issued a warning about a surge in automated telephone scams from overseas numbers claiming to be telecommunications company NTT demanding "unpaid fees."

Victims have been misled into making substantial payments.

Around 6,000 complaints were filed with consumer centers nationwide between April 2022 and February 2024. Half of these complaints were recorded since July last year, when the scam intensified.