Checks before you answer
A short list of measures that public agencies in Japan have published. The quoted lines are the original Japanese text, and the English is our summary written by AI. We do not promise that they will work. Please check the source pages for details and for the latest information. This page was not made, checked or approved by the National Police Agency or any other public agency.
Do not rush to answer calls from unknown numbers, calls with no caller ID, or numbers starting with "+". Let voicemail take them, and call back once you know who it was.
「留守番電話機能を活用、録音メッセージで相手がわかってからかけ直す」 National Police Agency (Japan)
「国際電話番号（＋から始まる電話番号）や見知らぬ電話番号からの着信は「無視」しましょう。」 National Police Agency (Japan)
If money comes up on a call, hang up for now and talk to your family or others.
「電話でお金の話が出たら、一旦電話を切り、すぐに家族などに相談しましょう！」 National Police Agency (Japan)
Call back to check, using a number you look up yourself or one you already know, not a number the caller gives you.
「最寄りの警察署にかけ直して本物かを確認」 National Police Agency (Japan)
「家族にかけ直して本物かを確認」 National Police Agency (Japan)
Do not tell your PIN to anyone.
「暗証番号はあなただけのもの。人に教えない。」 National Police Agency (Japan)
About being told that you can get money back at an ATM, Japan's National Police Agency writes the following.
「ATMでお金が返ってくることは、絶対にありません。」 National Police Agency (Japan)
About being told that the police will question you over the phone, Japan's National Police Agency writes the following.
「警察は電話で取り調べを行うことはありません。」 National Police Agency (Japan)
The National Police Agency's pages describe landline services that show the caller's number or answer calls with no caller ID with a recorded message. They also explain how people who do not use international calls can apply to suspend them.
「特殊詐欺の被害にあわないためには、「犯人と話さないこと」が一番効果的です。」 National Police Agency (Japan)
「普段、海外に住む方と固定電話で通話をすることがない方は、国際電話の利用休止をお申込みいただけます。」 National Police Agency (Japan)
Public consultation lines in Japan, for when you are unsure or in trouble.
「警察相談専用電話「＃9110」番」 Government Public Relations Online (Cabinet Office, Japan)
「「消費者ホットライン」188」 Consumer Affairs Agency (Japan)
In an emergency in Japan, call 110. You cannot report or consult through this page.
Your phone or carrier may have a feature that sends calls from unknown numbers to voicemail, or one that asks the caller for the reason first. Check your own phone maker's or carrier's official guidance for whether you can use it and how to turn it on. (We wrote this item ourselves. It has no source text.)