Unexpected billing for cosmetics purchased through advertisement on SNS - The counterparty found out to be an overseas fraudulent trader although the transaction was made on a website in Japanese!? -

Many inquiries and complaints have been sent from consumers like "I ordered cosmetics after seeing an advertisement on SNS purporting that a famous actress also use the cosmetics, but the amount billed was several times of the actual price for my order". There are many cases that consumers make a contract led by an advertisement on SNS. If you lightly make a contract encouraged by an advertisement purporting like "The famous entertainer uses this one", you may be involved in a trouble with an overseas fraudulent trader.

There has been a surge in the number of inquiries and complaints sent to the Cross-Border Consumer Center Japan (CCJ) at NCAC related to troubles with overseas fraudulent traders as mentioned above: about 10 in June 2015 and about 300 in July 2015.

Therefore, NCAC introduces recent cases of consultations and alert consumers with a view to preventing the occurrence of similar problems and holding back the expansion of the existing problems.

Sample cases of inquiries and complaints

[Case1]

I accessed to a website of self-claimed TV station through SNS advertisement and ordered cosmetics which they stated that a famous actress use, but I was charged a price higher than the advertised price.

[Case2]

I stopped ordering cosmetics on the online cosmetics shopping site which I accessed after posting to SNS, but I received an order confirmation e-mail.

Advice for Consumer

1. Do not make a contract at ease even on the website which was advertised on SNS you often use.
2. If you get involved in trouble with an overseas trader, it is difficult to solve. Be careful.
3. In case of trouble, consult your local consumer center.