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Toyota Consumer Information Center
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| Opening days | ||||||||
| The Center is opened everyday with exception to the following period: (1) from December 28 to January 4 (2) from May 3 to 5 and the immediately previous and following Saturdays, Sundays and National Holidays. Consultations on Consumer issues and unwanted goods: 10am to 6pm (reception desk for consultations is only until 5:45pm) |
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| Consultations on consumers' affairs | ||||||||
| Recently, the number of problems related to the utilization of mobile phones and Internet or non-reliable companies has increased sharply. If you find yourself in this situation, please do not hesitate to contact the Toyota Consumer Information Center. |
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| Be careful with the "Inspection Trick" |
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| Recently, there has been a growing number of incidents victimizing elderly people that live alone or that are alone during the day. The “inspection trick” is played by people disguised as technicians. They visit elderly people’s home and offer free inspections of, for example, the roof or the sewage system. After checking the house the “technician” tells the elderly the house presents many problems that may compromise the safety of all people. In addition, the “technician” offers special discounts and induces the elderly to sign a contract, giving her/him no room to consult a family member. Even if your house needs repair, it is better to consult as many companies as possible and ask them to make an estimation of the costs. According to the system called “cooling-off”, in case of “at home sales”, contracts can be cancelled within 8 days. |
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| Charges for non-utilized services – increase in the number of post-cards dispatched in Toyota City | ||||||||
| Recently, the Toyota Consumer Information Center has received a growing number of consultations on postcards containing charges for non-utilized services. The postcards usually start with the following sentence: “The adult entertainment site was accessed by a telephone number in your name and this company received the assignment of charging you for the usage of the service”. In addition, the postcard also mentions that the payment should be done as soon as possible at a designated bank account and in case of default, the money will be collected at the person’s residence. Through illegal ways, pernicious companies have access to mailing lists and send this kind of fake charges randomly. Some of those who receive the postcard end up paying the bill because they think they or a family member really accessed the site by mistake. Others do not want to get involved and also end up paying the bill. Please take a lot of care with these kinds of tricks. In case you receive a postcard or letter, do not hurry up to pay the bill. Please consult the Consumer Information Center. | ||||||||
| Sudden increase in troubles with mobile phones | ||||||||
| There has been a growing number of troubles involving mobile phones. By taking advantage of mobile phones’ memory and incoming calls system, people call a mobile phone and cut off after the first ring. The incoming call record remains in the mobile phone and if the user calls back that number, s/he will be connected to a kind of telephone information service charged to the caller. Afterwards, s/he will receive a bill for accessing the service. If you receive a phone call from someone you do not know, it is advisable to not reply to the call. Unfortunately, many people make use of pernicious ways to take advantage of other people. If you are charged for telephone services that actually you did not intend to use, once no contract was signed between the parties, there is no obligation of payment. In principle, apart from your telephone number, the other party may not have access to other information. However, for your safety, do not inform your name, address, workplace or other information. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Toyota Consumer Information Center. |
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| Problems when leaving a rented housing | ||||||||
| “I lived in a rental housing for many years. However, when I decided to leave the apartment, I was charged a large amount for repairs and maintenance expenses”. “They want me to pay the wall paper and “tatami” expenses. I always tried to keep them clean and in good condition. I do not agree with this charge!”. A growing number of complaints of this kind have been received at this Center. There is no doubt that when leaving the apartment the tenant should restore the apartment to its original state. However, if the wallpaper and “tatami” naturally became old, repair expenses should be included in the value of the rent. The tenant should not be charged for expenses that will cover repairs to make the apartment more attractive to future tenants. It is better to make clear what are the spots that naturally became old and the ones that really need repairs and their respective expenses. |
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| Charges for non-utilized information and entertainment services (“two shot”) | ||||||||
| Recently, the Toyota Consumer Information Center has also received a growing number of consultations about postcards that contain charges for non-utilized information and entertainment services (“two shot”). The letter contains some warnings and also mentions that if the payment is not done until the due date at the designated bank account, the money will be collected at the person’s residence or workplace. These information and entertainment paid services are known as “two shot” services and aim at providing dialogue opportunities between male and female people (chat). If you did not utilize these services, you are obliged to pay for them. If you receive any telephone call asking for payment, refuse them al all cost. Please do not hesitate to consult the Toyota Consumer Information Center in case you have any doubt. | ||||||||
| Be careful with illegal financial institutions and “easy” ways of borrowing money | ||||||||
| “I needed some money urgently to cover some expenses. I saw an advertisement about a financial institution that was lending money at low interest rate. So, I decided to borrow some money from them. The financial institution did not lend me the money but introduced me to another institution. In order to get the desired amount, they asked me to make a deposit of half of that amount for a few days. After this period, I went to the financial institution again and for my surprise, it was not operating anymore.” Or “They charged me an expensive introduction fee”. Consultations of this kind have been very frequent at this Center. In order to prevent these problems from happening: |
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| Troubles concerned with side jobs or extra businesses | ||||||||
| There has been a growing number of cases of selling of products or expensive courses, in which opportunities of earning an extra income are advertised if the buyer fits into all requirements. It is frequent the case of problems related to selling of expensive personal computers or learning materials in which people expect to be introduced to side jobs to earn extra income. Sellers use this strategy mainly to increase sales of a certain good or product. In the end, the consumer finds out that something is wrong; the expected extra income is not high or it is not possible to get a certificate of conclusion of the course. In addition, the consumer still has to pay the remaining installments of the product/material. In order to avoid these problems, please be suspicious about products or special prices that offer easy ways of earning extra income. In addition, check in details the content of the services. |
Information:
Toyota Consumer Information Center
Phone (Consultation): 0565-33-0999
Phone (Information on unwanted articles): 0565-33-2447
Fax: 0565-33-0998
Toyota City Hall - Commerce and Tourism Division
Phone: 0565-34-6642
Fax: 0565-35-4317
E-mail: shoukan@city.toyota.aichi.jp
In English: s_soudan@city.toyota.aichi.jp