Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Edogawa, Chiba, Japan

All Topics about Edogawa All Cities in Japan

1. Edogawa Taxi Scam

Avoid overpriced taxi rides by agreeing on fare before starting the journey or using pre-paid taxis at stations.

Unfair Fare: Taxi driver charges an inflated price for a short distance.
Pre-paid Taxis: Offered at stations, these taxis have fixed prices based on the destination.
Agreement Before Ride: Agreeing on fare before starting the journey can prevent overcharging.

Avoid buying souvenirs from unofficial shops or street vendors to ensure authenticity.

Lack of Authenticity: Counterfeit goods may not be of good quality or lack the original features.
Unofficial Shops: Shops without official licenses often sell counterfeit items.
Official Shops and Markets: Official shops and markets sell authentic goods and provide guarantees.

Avoid street food from unhygienic vendors to prevent foodborne illness.

Unaffordable Medical Bills: Treatment for food poisoning can be expensive if hospitalization is required.
Hygiene: Food prepared in unsanitary conditions increases the risk of foodborne illnesses.
Reputable Vendors: Choose vendors with good hygiene practices and positive reviews to minimize the risk.

Use ATMs in banks or inside shopping centers to avoid skimming devices on standalone machines.

Skimming Device: A device fitted onto an ATM to capture card information for fraudulent use.
Secure Locations: ATMs inside banks or shopping centers have better security measures.
Covering Pin Entry: Always cover the keypad when entering your PIN to prevent shoulder-surfing.

Book guided tours through reputable agencies or hotels to avoid being scammed by unlicensed guides.

Lack of Knowledge: Unlicensed guides may not have the necessary knowledge to provide a quality tour.
Reputable Agencies or Hotels: Book through licensed and reputable agencies or hotels for peace of mind.
Official Tour Guide Badge: Ask to see their official tour guide badge before proceeding with the tour.

Avoid using public Wi-Fi for sensitive activities like online banking or shopping.

Data Theft: Public Wi-Fi networks can be insecure, allowing data theft.
VPN Usage: Using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) can enhance security on public Wi-Fi networks.
Cellular Data: Using cellular data instead of public Wi-Fi for sensitive activities is more secure.

Book accommodation through reputable websites or agencies to avoid being overcharged.

Price Markups: Accommodations directly rented out can be overpriced.
Reputable Booking Sites: Book through reputable websites for competitive pricing and protection.
Agency Rentals: Using a rental agency can help secure the best price and deal with any issues.

Keep valuables secured at all times, especially in crowded areas like train stations and tourist attractions.

Valuable Theft: Pickpockets target valuables like wallets, phones, and cameras.
Awareness: Stay aware of your surroundings and secure your belongings to prevent theft.
Secure Bags or Pockets: Use bags with lockable zippers or keep valuables in inside pockets.

Exchange money only at reputable exchange offices to avoid receiving counterfeit or less currency than expected.

Counterfeit Currency: Street vendors may provide counterfeit or less currency for exchange.
Reputable Exchange Offices: Offices with licenses and good reviews are more trustworthy.
Check the Money: Always check the received currency for authenticity before leaving the exchange office.

Stick with trusted friends and avoid accepting drinks from strangers to prevent being overcharged or drugged.

Overpriced Drinks: Strangers may offer drinks at inflated prices.
Drugging: Accepting drinks from strangers can potentially result in being drugged.
Stay with Trusted Friends: Avoid going out alone or accepting drinks from strangers to minimize the risk.

Donate to reputable charities only and be wary of anyone asking for cash on the street.

Unverified Charities: Street collectors may not represent legitimate charities.
Reputable Charity Organizations: Find and donate to established, reputable charity organizations.
Avoid Cash Donations: Cash donations can be difficult to verify and may not reach the intended recipient.

Be cautious about sharing personal information with strangers online and only use secure websites for transactions.

Identity Theft: Strangers may attempt to steal your identity for fraudulent purposes.
Avoid Sharing Personal Information: Limit the amount of personal information shared with strangers online.
Secure Transactions: Use secure websites for transactions and look for https:// in the URL.

Only purchase tickets from official ticket booths or authorized vendors to avoid overpriced or fake tickets.

Overpriced Tickets: Unauthorized vendors may sell overpriced tickets.
Fake Tickets: Counterfeit tickets may not grant access to the attraction.
Official Booths or Authorized Vendors: Purchase tickets from official ticket booths or authorized vendors for peace of mind.

Rent cars only through reputable agencies and thoroughly inspect the vehicle before driving.

Inspection: Thoroughly inspect the car for any existing damage before renting.
Reputable Agencies: Rent through licensed and reputable agencies for peace of mind.
Insurance Coverage: Check the insurance coverage provided by the rental agency to minimize potential costs.

Buy local products only from reputable shops or markets to ensure authenticity.

Lack of Authenticity: Counterfeit goods may not be of good quality or lack the original features.
Reputable Shops: Shops with licenses and good reviews are more trustworthy.
Markets: Official markets sell authentic goods and provide guarantees.