Preventing 'Mistaken Donations'... Improvement of Disaster Relief Fund Application Screen

Government Guidelines Changed
Application Method Without Pop-ups or Donations
Applicants from the 11th Will Receive Payments Starting Today

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki Ha-young] Credit card companies have started improving the online application screens for emergency disaster relief funds. This comes after criticism that the system was encouraging 'accidental donations,' prompting the government to change its guidelines. Measures include confirming donation choices again via pop-up windows or creating a 'Apply without donation' menu.

According to the card industry on the 13th, as the controversy over accidental donations of emergency disaster relief funds spread and cancellation requests from applicants surged, card companies collectively improved their online application screens. KB Kookmin Card created banners on the first screen of the disaster relief fund application labeled 'Apply including donation' and 'Apply without donation' to reduce customer confusion. Hyundai Card provides guidance through a pop-up window stating, "If you do not apply, the entire support fund will be automatically donated, so if you wish to donate the full amount, you do not need to apply separately." Previously, Shinhan Card and Hana Card also changed their screens to address related complaints. Shinhan Card displayed options divided into 'Apply without donation' and 'Apply with donation' at the end of the application, while Hana Card added a donation amount change banner on the first screen to allow cancellation of donations.

Since the start of the disaster relief fund application on the 11th, inquiries have flooded card company call centers and online communities asking if accidentally donated disaster relief funds can be refunded. When applying for the support fund, cases frequently occurred where applicants, while agreeing to identity verification and terms and conditions, inadvertently agreed to the donation item. Especially at the final step of the application process, only two options appear: 'Full donation' or 'Direct input of donation amount,' with no option to select 'Do not donate.' Because of this, criticism arose among citizens that the government might be encouraging accidental donations.

Initially, the card industry requested that the support fund application screen and the donation application screen be separated. However, the government issued guidelines instructing that the support fund application and donation application be done on the same screen. As the related controversy continued, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety requested all card companies on the 13th to improve their systems so that when full donation is selected, a pop-up window confirms the choice again. Regarding donation cancellations, the principle remains that cancellations are not allowed, but same-day cancellations are now permitted. Donations made through online applications can be canceled only on the same day via the card company call centers and websites. The Ministry plans to allow corrections later at community service centers if same-day corrections are not made.

Meanwhile, from this day, actual deposits of disaster relief fund card points begin. According to the government's policy to provide payments within 48 hours after application, disaster relief fund card payments will be possible sequentially starting with household heads who applied on the 11th. A text message will be sent notifying that the disaster relief fund has been credited and is available for use. Disaster relief fund points can be used in the same way as regular card points. Card companies send usage details via text messages when the disaster relief fund is used. For example, "Government emergency disaster relief fund usage amount 10,000 KRW, remaining balance 390,000 KRW." Card companies also offer merchant guidance services. KB Kookmin Card provides a 'Disaster Relief Fund Usage Merchant Map' service based on the customer's location. Samsung Card also allows searching for available merchants by region on its website.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.