¥50,000 "Electric Bill Reducing Sticker" ineffective, prompts reports nationwide (June 22, 2014, Sankei Shinbun)

• http://sankei.jp.msn.com/affairs/news/140622/crm14062214410004-n1.htm

It was confirmed on the 21st that since last year, local consumer centers nationwide have been receiving reports from a succession of consumers who were persuaded to purchase high-priced stickers that claimed to "reduce electric bills when affixed to the circuit breaker through the effects of negative air ions."
According the the National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan (NCAC), the majority of those reporting such incidents indicated that "it had no effect."

With the prospect of "zero nuclear" this summer, NCAC officials are urging caution, "There is a possibility of an increase in unscrupulous business practices trading on energy conservation as a selling point."

According to the NCAC, in the majority of cases, consumers participated in a vendor's seminar via introductions from acquaintances and were convinced to purchase the stickers. Alternatively, they were promised a reward from the vendor for introducing the stickers to others in a manner similar to a multilevel marketing scheme.

The stickers are roughly 2 cm long by 5 cm wide, with a sale price of between ¥30,000 to ¥50,000. It is claimed that when the sticker is affixed to an indoor circuit breaker, it releases negative air ions which mitigate static electricity to improve the flow of electricity and reduce electric bills by 30 to 40%.

The trouble surrounding the stickers was first discovered in 2013. So far, more than 20 incidents have been reported by senior citizens nationwide, including the Tōhoku, Kantō, Kinki, and Chūgoku regions. The NCAC voiced concerns that "the majority of cases may not have resulted in reports and have not yet been uncovered."

Well, at least I know that it isn't just us 'murrikans that fall for silly things...

Stan-Miller said:

Not just electric bill, there also stuffs that somehow "reduce" your car's gas usage, or other kind of similar stuffs. All Made-in-China .

And things that only blur your car's license plate when a speed camera is looking at it, and chunks of copper that relieve all bone maladies, and things that will make you lose weight no matter your diet so long as you pay hundreds per month...hold on, I think my VTEC just kicked in, yo.Yes, I know VTEC is an actual thing, I just couldn't resist.

Not just electric bill, there also stuffs that somehow "reduce" your car's gas usage, or other kind of similar stuffs. All Made-in-China .

Why am I not surprised that the majority of the victims are senior citizens...

Well, it's not like we'd be able to keep up with new tech ourselves once we grow old enough to become gullible.

My grandfather once bought a blanket that they claim it can cure any kind of disease... at a ridiculously high price... we don't have the heart to tell him he got scam...