Notices via text message calling for payments past their due date (taxes, insurance payments)

If the payment deadline for municipal residents tax or National Health Insurance payments has passed and we cannot confirm you have paid, the Payment Department of the Finance Bureau at the City of Hiroshima will send a text message (or SMS, short message system) reminding you to pay.

In addition to a text message, we will also mail you a Payment Demand Letter (nōfu-saikokusho/納付催告書). If you have not already made your payrments, we ask that you please do so (note that it will take a few days for the Payment Demand Letter to reach you).

Texts from the Payment Department will come from the following phone numbers. If the text you receive is NOT from the numbers below, it is NOT from the Payment Department and may be a scam.

Be wary of scams from those claiming to be the City of Hiroshima

We will never send you a text message that asks you to do any of the following:

• Use an ATM
• Make a direct deposit into a designated account at a financial institution
• Hand over your bank book or bank card 
• Reply via toll-free number or mobile phone number
• Access a specific link in the text message

If you receive a suspicious text message, be sure to check whether it’s from the number above or contact the Payment Department at the Finance Bureau directly to confirm.

FAQ

1) I’ve received a text message. What is this about?

A: If the payment deadline for municipal residents tax or National Health Insurance payments has passed and we cannot confirm you have paid, the Payment Department of the Finance Bureau at the City of Hiroshima will send a text message reminding you to pay, along with mailing you a Payment Demand Letter.

2) Why isn’t my name in the text message?

A: In order to protect your personal information.

3) I have already made my municipal residents tax and/or National Health Insurance payments, so why am I getting a text?

A: It takes time for the City of Hiroshima to be able to confirm payments made at financial institutions. If you have already paid, the text may have been sent before we could confirm payment.

4) I received this text, but I don’t think there are any taxes like municipal residents tax or National Health Insurance that I have to pay.

A: If you’re unsure, we would be happy to check if there are any payments that you need to make. Please contact the Payment Department at the Finance Bureau for more information.

5) I’m experiencing financial hardships that make payments difficult. What should I do?

A: If it is difficult to make a lump-sum payment, we offer consultations about payment in installments. Please contact the Payment Department at the Finance Bureau for more information.

6) When will the Payment Demand Letter, which was sent at the same time as the text message, arrive?

A: While it depends on your address, we estimate it will take approximately 2-4 days from the day the text message was sent for the letter to arrive. If you do not receive the letter one week or more after the text message was sent, please contact the Payment Department at the Finance Bureau.

7) It’s been over one week and the Payment Demand Letter mentioned in the text message still hasn’t been delivered. When will it arrive?

A: Please contact the Payment Department at the Finance Bureau and we will check where the letter has been sent.

8) Can I call or text the number that sent me the text message? 

A: The number that sent you the text message is designated for sending texts only, so you cannot call the number. As we do not provide consultations via text regarding payments, we ask that you please contact the Payment Department at the Finance Bureau if you have any questions or concerns.

9) I received a text message from your department. Will I be charged a reception fee?

A: Text messages are exempt from reception fees. Depending on the settings of your mobile phone, if you received the text via messaging apps, you may be charged data fees. 

10) Before receiving the text message from your department, I received a call from an unfamiliar phone number. Was the call from City Hall?

A: There are cases in which the City of Hiroshima Tax and Other Notices Center (commissioned by the City of Hiroshima) calls those whose municipal residents tax or National Health Insurance payments cannot be confirmed. If you let us know the number that called you, we can check who it was from, so please contact the Payment Department at the Finance Bureau.

Inquiries regarding this page

General Affairs Section, Collection Planning Division, Payment Department, Finance Bureau
Ote-machi Heiwa Building 10F, 4-1-1 Ote-machi, Naka-ku, Hiroshima
Tel: 082-504-0155 // Fax: 082-249-3901
Email: tyoshuki@city.hiroshima.lg.jp