Beware suspicious phone calls exploiting the personal information leak at the Japan Pension Service (the second report)
Local consumer centers across Japan still receive inquiries and complaints regarding suspicious phone calls related to the personal information leak at the Japan Pension Service. Callers tell people things like "Your pension information has been leaked", "Your leaked pension information can be deleted", etc.
Recent inquiries and complaints include reports such as "I've received a suspicious e-mail titled Notice on change in pension payments", "I was told to send a cash card for the account using for receiving my pension" and so on.
With regard to this incident, consumers will never be contacted by phone or e-mail by the Japan Pension Service, the Consumer Affairs Agency, the National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan (NCAC), local consumer centers, or post offices. They never ask your personal information.
Calls offering to "delete your personal information" and the like are frauds. You should ignore them and hang up quickly. If you receive a suspicious e-mail regarding pension, do not open it with ease.
Characteristics of inquiries/complaints
- These inquiries and complaints are sent from all over Japan, in particular from elderly people in their 70s and older.
- Callers often claim that they are with the Japan Pension Service, or sometimes with the Consumer Affairs Agency, the National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan, public organizations like consumer centers, or mention other similar names.
- Callers often say words like "Your pension information has been leaked", "Your leaked pension information can be deleted" and so on. Sometimes they try to get information on family structure and asset situation.
Sample cases of inquiries and complaints
- [Case1] A suspicious e-mail regarding pension was sent to PC at home
- My PC at home received a suspicious e-mail titled "Notice on change in pension payments: Be sure to read this". I felt it doubtful and did not read the content.
- (woman in her 70s in Tokai)
- [Case2] I was told that my pension information had been leaked and was asked my family structure
- I received a phone call saying "Your pension data was found out to be leaked at the Japan Pension Service as a result of a survey of the National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan". The caller continued, "I would like to confirm your information" and asked many things like "Do you live alone? Does any of your family live near?" and so on. I felt it doubtful and I asked the caller's name, then the connection was cut off.
- (woman in her 70s in southern Kyushu)
- [Case3] I was told that my pension data had been leaked by a caller claiming to be with the Consumer Affairs Agency.
- I received phone calls several times from someone claiming to be with the Consumer Affairs Agency. The caller said "Your pension information has been leaked". Does an official of the Consumer Affairs Agency give a phone call like this?
- (man in his 70s in northern Kanto)
- [Case4] I was told that my pension data had been leaked by a caller claiming to be with a post office
- A man claiming to be with a post office gave me a phone call and said "Your pension information has been leaked, so I would like to visit your home to check up".
- (woman in her 80s in Hokuriku)
Advice for Consumers
- Calls saying "Your pension data has been leaked", "Your leaked pension information can be deleted", "Send your cash card for the account using for receiving your pension" and the like are frauds. Ignore them and hang up quickly. If you receive a suspicious e-mail about pension, do not open it with ease.
- With regard to this incident, consumers will never be contacted by phone or e-mail by the Japan Pension Service, the Consumer Affairs Agency, the National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan (NCAC), local consumer centers, or post offices. They never ask your personal information.
- The Japan Pension Service never asks you to write your basic pension number or bank account in a letter of apology for personal information leak.
- If you are at least bit concerned, immediately consult your local consumer center.
