"Do Not Click the Chuseok Gift Discount Coupon Link"... Warning for Text Message Scams

Beware of URLs in Texts from Unverified Sources

Seodaemun-gu, Seoul Police Agency building. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

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The National Police Agency warned that messenger phishing impersonating parcel delivery and financial support information is expected to increase ahead of the Chuseok holiday and urged caution. According to the police on the 31st, a total of 1,517,705 text message fraud cases occurred over the past three years, of which 639,809 cases, accounting for 42.2% of the total, occurred during the holiday period. It was also analyzed that the reporting and blocking rate of text message fraud during last year's holiday period exceeded 50%.

By type, parcel delivery impersonation accounted for the largest portion at 94.7%. It is interpreted that text message fraud impersonating parcel delivery surged by exploiting the characteristic increase in gift deliveries during the holiday period. Text message fraud impersonating public institutions, disguised as COVID-19 vaccination reservations, regular health checkup appointments, and traffic violation fine inquiries, accounted for 4.3%. Recently, the police explained that a new type of text message fraud has appeared, inducing the installation of malicious apps to steal financial information through messages impersonating government agencies for disaster relief fund applications, etc.

Messenger phishing damage, where family or acquaintances are impersonated via messenger apps to demand money, gift certificates, or personal information, is also on the rise. In particular, property damage can occur when remote control apps are installed and control is handed over. A police official said, "Until you accurately verify the other party through phone calls or video calls, you should not comply with their demands."

The police, together with the Ministry of Science and ICT, Financial Services Commission, Korea Communications Commission, Korea Internet & Security Agency, and Financial Supervisory Service, emphasized security rules to prevent text message fraud damage in advance, such as not clicking on internet addresses (URLs) or phone numbers of unclear origin. They also urged strengthening smartphone security settings and installing apps not through links received in messages but through authorized open markets. Additionally, they advised ▲ installing antivirus programs to maintain real-time monitoring ▲ never disclosing personal or financial information when requested ▲ verifying the other party accurately by phone or other means if money or app installation is demanded.

The government plans to establish a 24-hour safety response system to prevent text message fraud damage and focus on monitoring text message fraud and cracking down on cybercrime. The police will provide prevention guidelines and damage alerts through the National Police Agency website and the mobile app 'CyberCop' to prevent text message fraud damage. Furthermore, they plan to strengthen crackdowns on cyber malicious fraud such as text message fraud occurring before and after the Chuseok holiday period. A police official urged, "If you suffer damage from cybercrime, please report it using the Cybercrime Reporting System (ECRM)."

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