If a caller says you will get medical fees back and tells you to go to an ATM
A scene based on a published type It is the morning. A call comes in from a landline number you do not know. What will you do?
The type this scene is based on Refund fraud, as classified by Japan's National Police Agency
What came up in this call
- Claiming to be an official and saying you will get money back.
- Rushing you: the deadline is today.
- Telling you to take your mobile phone and go to an ATM.
What public agencies write (original Japanese, with a translation by AI)
- 「ATMでお金が返ってくることは、絶対にありません。」
Money is never refunded at an ATM.
National Police Agency (Japan) - 「最寄りの警察署にかけ直して本物かを確認」
Call your nearest police station back to confirm whether it is real.
National Police Agency (Japan) - 「ATMの利用限度額を低く設定しておく」
Set a low limit on how much you can use at ATMs.
National Police Agency (Japan)
This page does not judge whether a real call is a scam. The scene is fiction written by AI, based on a type that public agencies have published. This page was not made, checked or approved by the National Police Agency or any other public agency.
Related items from "Checks before you answer"
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)
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)
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.
The caller's first line (fiction; one line only)
Caller（Unknown landline number）: I'm calling from the insurance desk at the local government office. This is about a procedure to refund medical fees you overpaid.
Examples of the AI's replies
The AI's reply (a line written in advance)
- This is an automated AI assistant answering on behalf of the person you called. Please tell me your name and the reason for your call.
- I do not answer anything about money, accounts or PINs on this line. I will pass what you said on to the person.
- The person will check by contacting a number they look up themselves. I am ending this call now. Goodbye.
The "AI" on this page only shows lines that were written in advance. It is not an AI thinking and answering each time you press a button. Nor does it show that an AI would reply this way on a real call.
Sources (in Japanese)
See this scene with voices All scenes Checks before you answer