crime

Several suspicious My Number phone calls reported

25 Comments

At least eight cases of attempted phone fraud involving the My Number system have been reported in Tokyo since Oct 2.

On Monday, authorities began sending 12-digit identification numbers to every resident in the country to prepare for their use from next year.

From around Oct 20 to the end of November, 55 million households, both Japanese and foreign, are expected to receive by mail temporary cards notifying residents of their individual numbers to simplify administrative procedures for taxation and social security.

According to police, on Oct 2, a woman in her 60s, who lives in Tokyo's Ota Ward, received a call from a man who told her that it costs 700,000 yen to receive a My Number card, Fuji TV reported. The caller hung up when the woman told him that she would consult her tax accountant.

On the same day, four other residents reported receiving calls from a man who identified himself as a city hall employee. He asked the residents for confirmation of their family details and date of birth of each member, claiming it was part of a survey for the My Number system.

Meanwhile, the Consumer Affairs Agency said it has received more than 20 inquiries nationwide since Monday from people who said they had gotten suspicious calls and emails from persons identifying themselves as government employees requesting personal information for the My Number system.

The agency is urging people to beware of swindlers. For the procedure of My Number ID notices, government agencies will never ask for bank account numbers or the state of your assets. The notices will all come by registered mail, so people should be beware of any My Number packages coming by ordinary mail or deliverers requesting payment for parcels.

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25 Comments
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i hate to say this but if you're stupid enough to fall for these scams then you deserve to be swindled. common sense tells you that you should never give out personal information to anyone over the phone or internet.

@nakanoguy

Better pray you don't get old, then.

8 ( +10 / -2 )

For the procedure of My Number ID notices, government agencies will never ask for bank account numbers or the state of your assets

Beware the small print

5 ( +6 / -1 )

This my number system....is probly very tempting for the government in the future to control every aspect of your life.

I hope they catch the scammers.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Like bees to honey, like flies to XXXX. No matter how good the intentions of this system vis-a-vis greater efficiencies in bureaucratic processes, you can bet your bottom dollar that the usual range of scum have already worked out how to abuse this system in order to bilk the elderly out of their savings.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Well, it didn't take them long to get into these scams, did it? I'm glad the potential victims had the bounce to query the offenders. I have no doubt there will be more sophisticated attempts as these numbers come into play. I am a bit nervous about the data that is connected to this number and that can be obtained by the unscrupulous. Japan does not have a good track record for data leaks and data security. Probably because more than half of the administrative computers in the country are still running Windoze XP. There have been many large data leaks from council offices. There are also 2 million pensions still unaccounted for. Let's hope the new system is better protected by both the government and employers.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

It's only just begun! Once a person's become victim to identity theft, then the trouble will REALLY begin. It WILL BE a massive Pandora's Box of troubles.

So, what if people refuse to accept the notice? Any info?

3 ( +3 / -0 )

nakanoguy01: "what does getting old have to do with being gullible? do people lose their common sense as they age?"

Really? Did you not know, somehow, that there is a good reason why the elderly are always targeted in these scams? You've never, somehow, heard of senility? And it's not just 'common sense', or rather, the ability to quickly sense a scam that go out the window sometimes with age, it's general confusion with regards to technology, a desire to avoid trouble (that grows), and perhaps even a fear of authority that comes with age.

In any case, you can bet, as Educator60 points out, there are cases of success that we are not hearing about because the government is doing their best to get this off as hitch-free as possible. I'm just glad in this case we are reading about seven people who thwarted the efforts of the scammers.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

what does getting old have to do with being gullible? do people lose their common sense as they age?

Yes, as a matter of fact. Studies have shown that people become more trusting with age.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Are you sure about it not being compulsory? What happens when your employer or the tax office demands your My Number when your tax return is filed?

Getting the photo ID card is optional but, not I think, using the number itself.

The paper notification cards are issued prior to the system being introduced next January, at that time employers are obliged to collect my numbers from their employees and their dependants.

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2015/10/05/national/number-law-now-effect-notifications-set-sent/#.VhZNWpQ_Doc

In January everyone will have the option to have a My Number photo ID card.

But everyone has to think long term about this system, as it starts as a voluntary system and then in time it will be made compulsory along with linking it to bank accounts.

Imagine that, you are issued with a number that contains, everything, Tax, Income, Medical Records, Bank Account and later purchase information to claim back the 2% sales tax increase.

What else will that require to be recorded on the card?

But it must not be forgotten that every household will also be fitted with a smart meter from next year.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

And so it begins

1 ( +1 / -0 )

call it what it is in English "Social Security and Tax Number System" instead of My Number

In English it is a National ID number and it will be issued at birth

1 ( +1 / -0 )

That didn't take long to happen. I had commented on an earlier article on this issue about the very same thing about how the scammers would have a new opportunity and they have started it. There always is someone out there up to no good. I hope that the people are aware of it.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Call it what it is: Socialist Slave Number.

And when your number gets leaked and misused, your trauma will have only begun.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

ummm no the Japanese Government specifically call it a tax number system http://bit.ly/1VUT4yl

1 ( +1 / -0 )

As the My Number system is not compulsory, just refuse to accept delivery of the card.

No problems in being scammed then.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

what does getting old have to do with being gullible? do people lose their common sense as they age?

Is Nakano some sort of Neverland where people drink Ambrosia from the Holy Grail?

My mother-in-law's rationale for trusting everyone who comes to the door (including telling a complete stranger that she had recently sold some land) is that she has never been scammed in her whole life, and that everyone who comes to the door is okyakusan, and should be treated accordingly.

What she doesn't remember is that she was a lot more cautious with strangers for most of her life.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Nothing really worrisome. Most first world countries have a citizen identification system.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_identification_number

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

At least no one used the old ORE ORE line

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

call it what it is in English "Social Security and Tax Number System" instead of My Number

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

@nakanoguy

Better pray you don't get old, then.

what does getting old have to do with being gullible? do people lose their common sense as they age?

-6 ( +3 / -9 )

i hate to say this but if you're stupid enough to fall for these scams then you deserve to be swindled. common sense tells you that you should never give out personal information to anyone over the phone or internet.

-9 ( +4 / -13 )

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