Do Not Fall for Illegal Spam Ads Claiming "Government Special Guarantee Loan Support Available"

[Asia Economy Reporter Seulgina Jo] "(Advertisement) XX Bank will work together for the success and happiness of our customers. It has been confirmed that you are eligible for the Credit Guarantee Foundation Government Special Guarantee Loan support, but you have not applied yet."

Recently, illegal advertising spam messages disguised as government-supported loans have been increasing, urging the public to exercise special caution.

The Korea Communications Commission, Financial Services Commission, National Police Agency, and Financial Supervisory Service announced on the 4th that they expect public harm from these illegal advertising spam messages that mislead recipients into believing they were sent by the government or credible institutions.

The recently spreading types of voice phishing and smishing impersonate "Government Special Guarantee Loan Support" and use the names of financial institutions such as "KB Kookmin," "Shinhan," or insert phrases like "Financial Services Commission," "Credit Guarantee Foundation," "National Happiness Fund," and "Butimok Fund Plus." This is a typical scam method that induces loan consultations from vulnerable groups such as small business owners and the elderly in urgent need of funds, leading to voice phishing.

In particular, they use more sophisticated tactics that cleverly stimulate recipients' psychology by stating that the loan application deadline is imminent and that the government will cover all loan interest, causing financial damage to the public.

Moreover, with the upcoming reduction of the statutory maximum interest rate from 24% to 20% per annum starting on the 7th, there are concerns that illegal loan spam messages targeting vulnerable groups may increase by exploiting anxiety about future loan difficulties.

Accordingly, the Korea Communications Commission, in cooperation with mobile carriers and the Korea Association for ICT Promotion (KAIT), will sequentially send text messages titled "Warning about Illegal Loan Advertising Spam Messages" to subscribers under each carrier's name starting from the 5th, and will provide prevention information to prepaid phone subscribers via their billing statements.

The Financial Supervisory Service urged consumers to verify whether lending companies are registered on the Financial Consumer Information Portal FIN and, if suspicious of advertisements impersonating financial companies, to directly call the official number of the financial company or visit their branch for inquiries.

The National Police Agency plans to respond firmly by strictly investigating telecommunications financial fraud disguised as illegal loans. They also announced that they will actively apply charges such as participation in criminal organizations for organized crimes identified during investigations.

If you suspect voice phishing or smishing fraud, you can report immediately to 112 (National Police Agency), 1332 (Financial Supervisory Service), 118 (Illegal Spam Reporting Center), or the relevant financial company to receive damage consultation, payment suspension, refunds, and other relief measures.

Han Sang-hyuk, Chairman of the Korea Communications Commission, stated, "It is important to make multifaceted efforts to prevent damage from telecommunications financial fraud caused by the increasing illegal loan advertising messages and to respond promptly," adding, "We will strengthen cooperation with related agencies to prevent illegal spam and provide relief, and continuously pursue effective solutions."

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