I Almost Got Scammed

Assalamualaikum wbt.

       This story is based on my own experience and I pray everyday so that I will not experience the same thing and be more careful in the future. This happened on Saturday, 23^rd February 2019. I was in a very good mood on that day, I had a pleasant time in my Korean language lesson in the morning. Then, I ate superb delicious tempura at a new Halal restaurant in Yurakuchou. So, yeah basically everything went well on that day. I went home and I called my mom but she did not pick up her phone as she was busy playing with her cats. After I hang up the phone, I heard someone rang the bell of my house. In my house, there is a camera with 通話(read: tsuuwa, meaning telephone) that enable me to see and talk to the person outside without opening the door.

       So, usually if a stranger, someone that I don’t know, or someone that wearing NHK tag rang the bell, I will talk via the 通話 and told them that I’m busy or I just ignore them. On that day, it was cold outside. When that person rang the bell, I talked via the 通話 that I’m busy and hoping that he will leave immediately. However, it didn’t happen like that. He was persistently waiting outside of my house. Then, I looked at the camera again and I saw he was wearing a nametag written ‘NICHI GAS’. I thought maybe there is something urgent about my bill gas or he wanted to explain something about my gas condition. I opened the door, and that was my mistake.

       Using gas for cooking in Japan is not like in Malaysia. In Malaysia, we buy that ‘tong gas’ and connect with tube to the stove. Here in Japan, there is already a gas pipe that linked to the stove, so we just need to call the company that provide gas and pay monthly bill to them like other bills such as electric and water bills. As I live in Tokyo, I’m using service from Tokyo Gas company. So, that person outside introduced himself as a promoter from ‘NICHI GAS’ company. He asked me how much I paid my gas bill monthly in average. I told him in average I paid around 2000 yen per month. Then, he took out his phone and opened an app of his company.

       He showed me the calculation that if I used his company’s service, I will get 9% discount which is around 1820 yen per month in average. When he said that, I started to feel that I’m not interested to his offer because 9% discount is too little for me. There will be nothing change and so far, I don’t have any problem with my current gas company. Then, he opened his bag and he was looking for something. With a smiling face, he said he forgot to bring the pamphlet. I started feeling suspicious. In my opinion, if I work as a promoter, company’s pamphlet is necessary for me to explain and convince my customers. If I forgot to bring it in front of my customer, I won’t smile. I will feel panic, worry and apologize badly to my customer.

       But he didn’t look sorry when he told me that he forgot to bring the pamphlet. Instead, he asked me if I’m interested to sign a contract with him and he asked me to show my ID card. Then, I said no. I’m not interested. This is where my debate began with him.

Mr. N: Why not? You don’t want to pay the bill much cheaper monthly? Can you tell me the reason?

Me: I don’t have any problem so far with my gas company. I’m afraid if I change to a new one, it will be complicated. Plus, 2000 yen per month is affordable me, I don’t have problem to pay it.

Mr. N: It is not that complicated, if you want to cancel, you can just call our company. We will give 2000 yen discount in the first month if you use our company’s service.

Me: No, thank you. I’m not interested. I’m okay so far.

Mr. N: Can you tell me the reason why no?

Me: I don’t have reason. It’s that wrong if I don’t give the reason? Is there any rules saying that I’m wrong if I don’t give the reasons?

Mr. N: It is wrong. If there is no reason, you should use our company’s service and both of us will get benefit. I have explained so much things about this. It a good manner if you accept my offer.

Me: I’m sorry about my manner but I’m not interested. I’m so sorry.

       Then, I quickly closed the door. It was so scary for me and I was so shocked. This is my first experience and I just don’t like the way he talked about manner. I’m not a native Japanese and maybe I don’t understand much about Japanese manner, but I understand my right as a customer so well. When I shared my story with my other friends who live here, they said that they have experienced the same things. When it comes to crimes or scam, it can happen everywhere in this world. I pray that I will always be safe here and I hope that all of you be aware with your surroundings. May Allah protects all of us from any harm.