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Beware of Suspicious Visits Impersonating the Comprehensive Survey of Living Conditions (Kokumin Seikatsu Kiso Chosa) – Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare Warns
The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) in Japan issued a warning on May 9, 2025, regarding suspicious individuals impersonating survey staff for the Comprehensive Survey of Living Conditions (国民生活基礎調査, Kokumin Seikatsu Kiso Chosa). The warning is a reminder that fraudulent activities often target legitimate national surveys, and it’s crucial for the public to be vigilant.
What is the Comprehensive Survey of Living Conditions?
The Kokumin Seikatsu Kiso Chosa is a major statistical survey conducted regularly by the MHLW in Japan. Its purpose is to gain a comprehensive understanding of the health, welfare, pension, and income aspects of the Japanese population. The data collected is vital for policy planning and resource allocation in areas such as healthcare, social security, and poverty reduction.
The survey typically involves:
- Household Visits: Survey staff visit selected households to distribute questionnaires and sometimes conduct interviews.
- Questionnaires: Households are asked to provide information on a range of topics, including health status, employment, income, pension coverage, and living conditions.
- Confidentiality: All information collected is strictly confidential and used only for statistical purposes.
Why the Warning?
Unfortunately, legitimate surveys like the Kokumin Seikatsu Kiso Chosa can be exploited by criminals for various purposes, including:
- Theft: Impersonators may try to gain entry to homes under the guise of conducting a survey, with the actual intention of stealing valuables.
- Fraud: They might attempt to collect personal information, such as bank account details or social security numbers, to use for identity theft or financial scams.
- Data Harvesting: Even if not immediately used for criminal activity, personal data collected under false pretenses can be sold to third parties for marketing or other purposes.
How to Protect Yourself:
The MHLW urges the public to take the following precautions to avoid falling victim to these scams:
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Verify the Surveyor’s Identity:
- Official Identification: Genuine survey staff will always carry official identification issued by the MHLW or the local government responsible for conducting the survey. Always ask to see this ID and examine it carefully. Look for the official logo and name of the issuing authority.
- Contact the MHLW or Local Government: If you are unsure about the legitimacy of a surveyor, contact the MHLW directly or your local government office to verify their identity. You can find contact information on the MHLW website (mhlw.go.jp) or your local government’s website.
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Be Wary of Unusual Requests:
- Financial Information: Genuine survey staff will never ask for your bank account details, credit card numbers, or other sensitive financial information. The Kokumin Seikatsu Kiso Chosa does collect income information, but it’s done through questionnaires, not by demanding immediate access to your accounts.
- Pressure Tactics: Be suspicious if the surveyor tries to pressure you into providing information or entering your home immediately. You have the right to take your time, verify their identity, and decide whether or not to participate.
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Don’t Let Strangers into Your Home Without Verification:
- Verify Before Opening the Door: Look through the peephole or window before opening the door to anyone you don’t recognize.
- Meeting Outside: If you are uncomfortable letting the surveyor into your home, you can offer to meet them outside or at a local government office to answer the survey questions.
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Report Suspicious Activity:
- Police: If you encounter someone you believe is impersonating a survey staff member, report the incident to the police immediately.
- MHLW or Local Government: Also, inform the MHLW or your local government about the suspicious activity so they can alert other residents and take appropriate action.
Key Takeaways:
- The MHLW’s warning is a reminder to be cautious and verify the identity of anyone claiming to be conducting the Kokumin Seikatsu Kiso Chosa.
- Legitimate survey staff will always carry official identification and will never ask for sensitive financial information.
- If in doubt, contact the MHLW or your local government to verify the surveyor’s identity.
- Your vigilance helps protect you and your community from fraud and theft.
By taking these precautions, you can help ensure the integrity of important statistical surveys and protect yourself from potential scams. Remember, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
The AI has delivered the news.
The following question was used to generate the response from Google Gemini:
At 2025-05-09 08:00, ‘国民生活基礎調査を装った不審な訪問にご注意ください’ was published according to 厚生労働省. Please write a detailed article with related information in an easy-to-understand manner. Please answer in English.
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