Consumer Affairs Agency warns of personal data leaks from unauthorized access and lists safeguards
On October 29, 2026, Japan's Consumer Affairs Agency posted a caution about personal data leaks caused by unauthorized access to businesses. It points to changing IDs and passwords, using multi-factor authentication and passkeys, and staying alert to phishing. Shops can use it as a prompt to review how they manage their own accounts and prepare for scams that impersonate businesses.
Key points
- To limit misuse of leaked data, change login IDs and passwords and avoid reusing passwords
- Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) or passkeys, and check credit card and similar statements regularly
- Treat SMS or email claiming to be from a business or public body as possible phishing: do not open the URL, and go via a genuine site or app. If unsure, call the Consumer Hotline 188
Background
The Agency says personal data leaks caused by unauthorized access to businesses are occurring. The same page also warns that credit card fraud has surged in recent years and that consultations about SMS and email phishing remain frequent.
It also states that businesses and public bodies do not suddenly ask for credit card numbers by SMS or email. This is a general caution for consumers and does not refer to a specific company or incident.
What it means for shops
Shops with admin accounts for e-commerce, bookings, social media or payments can be exposed by reused passwords or weak authentication. Customers are also becoming warier of SMS and email posing as businesses, so making your own messages clearly recognizable as genuine helps maintain trust.
What shops should do
- For e-commerce, booking, social media and payment admin accounts, stop reusing passwords and turn on MFA or passkeys
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Summaries are written by Seiichi Studio based on the original releases. Always check the source for the exact details.