Beware of Smishing Posing as Delivery or National Support Fund Notifications

If you report to the 118 Counseling Center without an area code, you can receive free consultation 24 hours a day.

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Sun-mi] As the Chuseok holiday approaches, smishing scams impersonating gift (parcel) delivery confirmations and national support funds are expected to increase, so caution is required.

According to the Financial Services Commission, Ministry of Science and ICT, and the National Police Agency on the 12th, the number of smishing reports (received) and blocks until August this year was 184,002 cases, a 74% decrease compared to the same period last year. However, 93% of smishing types during the Chuseok holiday period involve parcel delivery impersonation, which can be exploited, so users need to be especially careful.

To prevent smishing (voice phishing) fraud damage in advance, users should not click on internet addresses (URLs) or phone numbers in text messages related to parcel tracking, holiday greetings, mobile gift certificates, transportation tickets, or performance tickets if the source is unverified.

To prevent unknown source applications (apps) from being installed recklessly, strengthen the smartphone’s security settings, and when downloading apps, do not use links in text messages but install apps through authorized open markets. Also, install antivirus programs and keep them updated with real-time monitoring, and never enter or disclose identification and personal information·financial information when requested under the pretext of identity verification, disaster support funds, or vaccine reservation inquiries.

The government plans to focus on smishing monitoring and strengthening cybercrime crackdowns through cooperation among related ministries to prevent national damage caused by smishing ahead of Chuseok.

The Ministry of Science and ICT and Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA) will conduct 24-hour monitoring during the Chuseok holiday period to respond promptly to smishing distribution, and the Financial Services Commission and Financial Supervisory Service will intensively promote voice phishing prevention by guiding customers to be especially cautious about scam messages impersonating COVID-19 related national support funds or disaster relief funds through cooperation with financial sectors during the holiday period. The National Police Agency provides prevention guidelines and damage alerts through its website and the mobile app ’CyberCop‘ to prevent smishing damage.

If you receive a suspicious smishing message or suspect infection by a malicious app during the holiday, you can report it to the 118 Counseling Center without an area code and receive free consultation 24 hours a day.

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