The malicious marketing (or unscrupulous marketing) broadly refers to the marketing making money through illicit methods. Below three examples and the respectively countermeasures will be introduced.

1. Marketing during visits: before selling something think twice

Example: The victim is informed by phone someone would be interested in purchasing unnecessary items. The victim then receives the “buyer” at home, but ends up having to forcibly sell precious metals and other items did not want to sell.

<Main products> Precious metals, watches, accessories and others

[Points to avoid loss]

• Be careful about pamphlets and people wanting “just” to assess or collect useless items, among others
• Do not arrange a purchase order by yourself and ask someone from your family or friend to oversee the sale
• Requests and invitations without previous contact are prohibited by law. Even if a dealer visits you, do not let him enter your house.

2. Hypnotic marketing (SF Marketing) Do not believe in “get it for free”

Example: After being informed about getting a (daily need) product in case of stopping by at the store, the victim goes to the shop or point of sale. Tempted by the environment, the victim believes would be losing the advantages of the service and ends up buying pricey healthy food.

Main products: Mattress (futon), health products, healthy food and others.

[Points to avoid loss]

• Do not visit shops after hearing you would get a gift free of charge
• Do not be tempted by the local environment and in case someone tries to recommend you some product, refuses it immediately.

3. Fraudulent sales

Example: The victim is approached by someone on the street and ends up going to the shop after being informed would receive a skin assessment for free. At the place, scammers repeatedly recommend a pricey face equipment. The victim, without being able to refuse it, ends up signing a contract.

Main products and services: Accessories, jewels, make up, cosmetics, aesthetic products

[Points to avoid loss]

• Surveys, free skin assessment, among others, are methods to force the victim to buy pricey products. Do not easily believe in dealers’ talk.
• Avoid visiting offices and shops in this situation.

Do not worry alone and make an inquiry

Consumer’s Hotline TEL: 188

When calling “188”, an announcement will be issued and the call will be redirected to the Municipal Center for Consumer Consultation nearest to your residence or to the Consumer Center of Mie Prefecture.