“We’ll give you a free inspection”…Roof construction problems increase 2.4 times in 5 years, taking advantage of rising security awareness: Tokyo Shimbun TOKYO Web

In fiscal 2023, 7,845 complaints were received at consumer affairs centers across the country regarding roof repair contractors who ask for roof inspections and then force unnecessary payments, which is twice as many as five years ago. An interview with the National Consumer Affairs Center revealed that the number of cases has increased tremendously. The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department is also calling for caution, as the number of people staying at home has increased due to the coronavirus pandemic and people are becoming more aware of disaster prevention due to the frequent occurrence of natural disasters. (Sadatoshi Ogura)

◆11,167 consultations for door-to-door sales, the highest number ever, 70% of them related to roofing

According to the center, the number of door-to-door inquiries about problems related to renovation work in general is increasing year by year, and in fiscal 2011, the number of calls reached 11,167 (an increase of 1,068 from the previous year), the highest ever. Of these, 7,845 inquiries (1,293 more inquiries compared to the same period) were inquiries about roof repair work such as “Inspection Commercial Law”, accounting for 70%, an increase of 2.4 times from 3,240 inquiries in FY2018.

The roof construction inspection business method is to suddenly visit someone and say, “We’re starting construction work in the neighborhood, so I came to say hello.” “The roof tiles are out of place, so we’ll do a free inspection.” “If things continue like this, the tiles will fall and cause a nuisance to the neighbor’s house.” ”, etc., to stir up anxiety and force them to sign contracts for construction they don’t want on the spot.

The center points out that the increase is due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, which has led to an increase in the number of people staying at home, as well as the frequent occurrence of typhoons and earthquakes in recent years, which has led to “a growing awareness of disaster prevention, and the number is taking advantage of that anxiety.” Seventy percent of those seeking help were over 60 years old, and the analysis said, “Elderly people are particularly vulnerable to being targeted.”

◆Detached houses, unrest, additional construction work… Metropolitan Police Department also calls for vigilance

Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Police Department has received many inquiries about roofing renovation scams, with the number of inquiries received last year being 2.5 times that of the year before last (the number of cases has not been disclosed).

On the 26th of this month, police officers visited a house in a residential area in Tokyo. “Recently, there has been an increase in the number of unscrupulous remodeling companies offering walk-in sales.Please be careful,” the message read, and newly created crime prevention stickers were distributed to warn people. A housewife in her 70s responded, “Suspicious businesses have come before. I want everyone in the town to put up stickers, raise local crime prevention awareness, and prevent damage.”

According to the Metropolitan Police Department’s Life Safety and General Affairs Division, the characteristics of malicious remodeling companies are:
(1) Sales representatives from each region visit single-family homes at random.
(2) Pretending to be kind and stirring up anxiety
(3) After contracting for roofing work, contract for additional work such as exterior wall repair.
(4) Load the ladder into a regular passenger car instead of a wagon
Such. Ken Ninomiya, the division’s chief, said, “Even if we receive a surprise visit, we won’t let them inspect it or sign a contract, and if they feel suspicious, we’d like them to contact the police.”