"Thought It Was a Delivery Text" How to Prevent Smishing Scams During Chuseok Holidays

[Asia Economy Reporter Seulgina Jo] #1. Check your [Hanguk Uiryo OO] physical examination results.

#2. Your [Geongang Gwalli OO] health check notification has arrived.

#3. [OO Taekbae] Your package is held at customs due to a delivery address error; please verify.

#4. [OO Baesong] Overseas delivery delayed due to address error; please update your address immediately.

As the Chuseok holiday approaches, smishing texts disguised as physical examination notices, traffic fines, and package address correction alerts are increasing, urging recipients to install unknown applications or click on internet links from unverified sources. Recently surged spam and smishing messages impersonate legitimate messages from government agencies, medical institutions, and financial companies, increasing the risk of financial and other damages due to careless attention. Installing malicious apps included in these messages may lead to phone interception scams and other frauds.

SK Telecom announced on the 18th that due to concerns over fraud caused by spam and smishing texts impersonating government agencies, financial institutions, and delivery companies, mobile users need to carefully review messages by major case types to prevent damage in advance.

Typical recent spam and smishing cases include ▲texts impersonating financial companies offering loans or disaster relief funds ▲impersonation of family or acquaintances requesting personal information or money transfers ▲calls impersonating judicial institutions ▲texts disguised as physical examination or package address correction notices inducing app installation or link clicks.

First, texts impersonating financial companies guide low-interest loans, disaster relief fund applications, or special loans for small business owners. If you receive loan guidance or application encouragement texts, it is advisable not to contact the phone numbers or reply numbers included in the messages.

Even if you have spoken on the phone, do not comply if the other party asks you to click on URLs sent via KakaoTalk or other SNS or text messages or to install apps and apply for loans afterward. Installing apps may infect your phone with malicious software. Financial experts recommend that if you need banking or card services, you should visit the financial institution directly.

There are also many cases where texts impersonate family or acquaintances claiming phone damage or loss and request personal information, cash transfers, or gifts. SK Telecom urged contacting the said family member or acquaintance directly to verify the message content before responding. Responding to urgent requests for ID cards, bank account information, or money transfers may lead to damage.

If contacted by phone impersonating prosecutors or other judicial institutions claiming involvement in a crime, verify the facts using official phone numbers of the institution before responding. Prosecutors, police, courts, and other judicial institutions officially state that they never request money transfers or collect personal financial transaction information. The authenticity of prosecutor summons, arrest warrants, and other documents can also be verified through the 'Jjin Center' operated by the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office.

Do not click on texts disguised as physical examination, traffic fine, or package address correction notices that induce installation of unknown apps or internet link clicks. If you have installed such apps, immediately delete them using mobile antivirus software.

If you suspect financial damage, immediately contact the customer center of the relevant financial institution, the National Police Agency, or the Financial Supervisory Service to request account suspension. Spam can also be reported through the Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA). SK Telecom operates its own reporting and response channels. Additionally, SK Telecom noted that using its call app T전화 (T Phone) allows users to check the spam type of phone numbers during calls and number searches. The T Spam Filtering app blocks basic spam and smishing numbers and enables users to directly block unwanted numbers. Installing antivirus software capable of detecting smishing texts on smartphones is also an effective prevention method.

Lee Ki-yoon, Head of Customer Value Innovation at SK Telecom, emphasized, “As spam, smishing, and voice phishing tactics become more sophisticated, social interest and joint efforts are necessary.”

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