How to Protect Yourself from the Hidden Black List Preventing Robbery | FRIDAY DIGITAL

How to Protect Yourself from the Hidden Black List Preventing Robbery

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To prevent dark side part-time jobs, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department has started airing awareness videos.

The source of the leak comes from various sources

“Amid the increasing number of robbery incidents related to so-called dark side part-time jobs, the National Police Agency established a new call center on January 14. The goal is to raise awareness among individuals listed in a registry seized from criminal groups. The police are calling those listed in the ‘dark registry’ to warn them about the risks of robbery” (reported by a national newspaper’s social affairs department).

What exactly is a dark registry? What countermeasures can individuals take to prevent being listed? We asked security consultant Toshihiko Matsumaru for advice (note: the following are all statements from Matsumaru).

As a premise, preventing being listed in a dark registry is impossible. The key is to prevent updates to the registry. I have seen the actual document, and it contains incredibly detailed personal information that is frightening. It includes things like there is a safe in the living room and the landline phone will answer, which are details that only those who have seen or spoken to the individual would know. There were also entries like customers who spend over 10 million yen annually from a leaked department store client list. It seems that asset situations are also being accurately tracked.

When personal information is leaked, companies will apologize. However, there are likely companies unaware that their data has been stolen. I expect a considerable amount of information has been compromised.

Personal information is exchanged in many situations, such as when creating a credit card, signing up for a gym, and so on. If a bank or office is hacked, there’s nothing an individual can do. Reiterating, the best approach is to understand that there is no way to prevent being listed in a dark registry. So, what can individuals do? You can choose not to answer the phone or hang up immediately if you do answer. This way, your information won’t be updated.

In the dark registry I saw, there was a note that the person responds positively to phone calls. This means that by answering the phone, the information was updated. Sometimes, by answering a survey, one’s asset status could be recorded and the information updated. Therefore, never respond to suspicious calls or visits. It’s essential not to update your information in the dark registry.

The courage to hang up the phone

Lately, there have been many suspicious calls and spam emails. The best effort we can make is to simply ignore them. If you answer a call from an unknown number and the person suddenly starts talking about investments, hang up without hesitation.

Even if a roofing contractor comes when you’re concerned about your roof, letting them into your home can lead to your information being updated in the registry, making you a target.

Whether it’s roof repairs or plumbing work, if it’s necessary, find a trusted contractor yourself. Do not engage with unknown contractors or suspicious calls. By doing this, your information in the dark registry won’t be updated. Of course, not responding to suspicious calls or visitors is crucial, but sharing this information within your community increases the chances of preventing crime.

In October last year, there were repeated visits from suspicious contractors, likely surveying homes for a robbery, in Itoshima City, Fukuoka Prefecture. It has been shown that suspicious contractors or strange calls can lead to robbery incidents, so it’s important to gather this information and report it to the police. I always say this, but don’t hesitate to use the non-emergency 110 number—#9110. The police encourage people to call without hesitation.

Call #9110 and report information like “A renovation contractor suddenly came today” or “They were persistent even though I asked them to leave.” You can also report things like “Suspicious contractors are going around the neighborhood.” When the police gather this information, they can take various preventive measures. You can even say, “There are unfamiliar people loitering around and I’m feeling uneasy; please increase patrols.”

People often say, “If something happens, consult someone,” but there are many situations where there is no one to turn to. My own mother, for example, often doesn’t want to bother me, thinking my son has his own life. #9110 is available 24/7 and offers free consultations. If you find something suspicious, I want people to be aware that they can simply call #9110.

By doing so, you may not only protect yourself but also help your neighbors who could be listed in the dark registry.

  • Interview and text by Nakahira Photo by Kyodo News

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