Water quality test? Be careful of door-to-door sales of water purifiers!

The Consumer Information Center has been receiving consultations such as the following:

“A man suddenly visited my home saying that he was here for a water quality test. I let him in because I thought that he was from the Waterworks Bureau. The man poured tap water from the kitchen into a cup, and dropped a reagent into it, causing the clear water to turn pink. He recommended that I install a water purifier because the water was bad for my health. I had him install the water purifier because I was worried, but it was 400,000 yen and really expensive. I wonder if it was really necessary. I want to cancel the contract.”

「『水質検査に来ました』と男性が突然訪ねて来たので、水道局の職員だと思い家に入れた。男性が台所の水道水をコップに注ぎ、試薬を垂らすと透明だった水がピンク色に変色した。『体に悪い水なので浄水器を取り付けた方が良い』と勧められた。心配になり浄水器を取り付けてもらったが、40万円と高額で本当に浄水器は必要だったのだろうか。解約したい」との相談が、消費者情報センターに寄せられました。

Even if someone says that they are from the Waterworks Bureau, ask them to produce identification and do not easily let strangers into your house. Tap water contains chlorine for disinfection, so any kind of tap water will change color with a reagent that reacts to chlorine. Do not take the other person’s words at face value.

水道局の関係者だと言われても、身分証の提示を求めるなどして、知らない人を簡単に家の中に入れてはいけません。水道水には消毒のために塩素が含まれているので、塩素に反応する試薬を入れるとどんな水道水でも変色します。業者の言うことを鵜呑みにしないようにしましょう。

Even if the person tries to make you sign a contract on the spot, do not agree, and send them home before consulting with family or the people around you. Even if you sign a contract, there may be a cooling-off period if it was a door-to-door sale. Please consult with a consumer affairs center.

業者から契約を急かされてもその場では契約せず、業者には一旦帰ってもらい、家族や周囲の人に相談しましょう。契約しても訪問販売であればクーリング・オフができる場合があります。消費生活センターに相談してください。