"If There Is a Link in the Second Consumption Coupon Message, It's 100% a Scam"

No URLs Included in Notifications from Government and Financial Institutions

Yonhap News Agency

The government has urged the public to exercise special caution, as a variety of smishing attacks are anticipated to coincide with the application and distribution period for the 'Second Livelihood Recovery Consumption Coupon.' These attacks are expected to involve impersonation of the government, credit card companies, and banks, and may include notifications regarding eligibility and payment amounts, card usage approvals, and application instructions.

The Financial Services Commission announced on the 14th that, in order to prevent smishing damage in advance, the government, credit card companies, and local currency operators will not send any text messages or social media notifications containing 'internet shortcut URLs' related to the Second Livelihood Recovery Consumption Coupon.

In addition, the government, credit card companies, and local currency operators have stated that they will not provide banner links or app push notifications with similar functions to internet shortcut URLs under any circumstances.

If you receive a suspicious smishing message or suspect a malicious app infection after clicking an internet shortcut URL in a message, you can refer to the 'Smishing Damage Prevention Guidelines' and report or consult with the Korea Internet & Security Agency's 118 Counseling Center, which operates 24 hours a day and is free of charge.

In this regard, starting from September 12, before the application and distribution of the Second Livelihood Recovery Consumption Coupon, the government will sequentially send 'smishing damage prevention messages' under the names of each telecommunications company to raise users' awareness of smishing.

For non-face-to-face applications for the Livelihood Recovery Consumption Coupon, a smishing 'caution' notice will be included on the application page. For seniors and other digitally vulnerable groups, smishing 'caution' notices will also be provided during in-person applications at banks and local government offices (community centers).

Furthermore, the Financial Supervisory Service, the National Police Agency, and the Korea Internet & Security Agency will strengthen monitoring of smishing attacks and maintain a rapid response system, including immediate investigation upon receiving reports of damage.

Meanwhile, regarding the first Livelihood Recovery Consumption Coupon, a total of 430 smishing cases have been detected and addressed to date, with no reported damages from smishing distribution. Analysis of smishing types related to the first consumption coupon found that most were advertisements for illegal gambling sites or attempts to induce access, but malicious apps designed to steal personal information were also detected.