Provision of "automatic call recorders" will be discontinued

　As a measure against special frauds, the city has previously implemented a program to provide automatic telephone call recorders to residents aged 65 or older.
The installation of these recorders is recommended because they play a warning message to the caller (perpetrator) before the phone rings, which is expected to discourage the caller (perpetrator), preventing crime from occurring.
However, there have been reports of cases where the recorder was working properly and continued making fraudulent calls despite the warning message that the conversation will be recorded. As a result, there are issues with continuing to use the recorder in this way, and we will discontinue providing automatic call recorders.
The city will continue to take various measures to combat special fraud.
Those who have currently been provided with automatic call recorders may continue to use them, but please do not rely too much on the recorders, and instead use other measures such as caller display and caller request, as well as take the precautions listed below.If you receive a suspicious call, please call 110 immediately.

The number of victims of "It's me" scams is on the rise!

　Of the nine cases of fraud between January and September 2024, five were "It's Me" scams. "It's Me" scams are scams in which a scammer calls pretending to be a family member and takes advantage of a parent's concern to try to trick them out of cash.
Be wary of calls from people claiming to be your child or grandchild and saying things like, "I'm having trouble at work and I need money urgently."
If the topic of money comes up on the phone, hang up and make an arrangement to talk to a family member about it straight away.

How to block telephone scams

• Always set it to answering machine
• Decide on a family password in advance
• Don't give out your personal information or PIN numbers
• Call the family member's original number to confirm.

Make active use of "Number Display" and "Number Request"!

　In order to prevent damage from special fraud, NTT East is implementing an initiative to make the monthly usage fee and initial installation fee for "Number Display" and "Number Request" free for contract holders (themselves) aged 70 or older or those who live with them (family members). For details, please click here (external link) .

Inquiries and applications

NTT East Special Fraud Prevention Hotline
0120-722-455 (9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)