TOKYO – Japan’s National Consumers Affairs Center (NCAC) is warning consumers about a surge in fraudulent and problematic cash-on-delivery (COD) orders, as reports of misrepresented goods and unordered purchases reach record highs.
Through March of this fiscal year, the NCAC logged 14,013 complaints and requests for guidance related to COD issues – a record number. A significant 66% of these cases stemmed from purchases initiated through online advertisements.
The trend is accelerating, with 4,498 cases already reported to the center as of the end of June, representing a roughly threefold increase compared to the same period last year.
Recent incidents highlight the risks. In April, a woman in her 40s ordered what she believed were ¥30,000 genuine leather sneakers advertised at a 50% discount via a social media ad. Upon delivery, she received artificial leather fakes. Separately,a man in his 50s ordered a golden lantern through a video streaming service advertisement,only to receive a black lantern. Attempts to contact the listed product replacement center proved futile, and the delivery company was unable to provide sender information.
The NCAC attributes the difficulty in resolving these issues to the complex network of businesses frequently enough involved in COD transactions, hindering both product replacements and compensation claims.
Consumer advocates recommend verifying seller contact information on websites and researching products directly through manufacturers’ official sites before opting for COD.”If you feel something fishy, even just a little bit, don’t order it,” cautioned an NCAC official.