"Ding-dong, You Are Eligible for Emergency Funding and Fuel Subsidies"... Voice Phishing Alert Amid Middle East Instability

Concerns Rise Over Texts Impersonating Government and Financial Institutions
Financial Authorities Issue Consumer Alert at "Caution" Level

Financial authorities issued a consumer alert at the "caution" level on March 15, warning of potential voice phishing scams that exploit the recent instability in the Middle East.

The Financial Services Commission and the Financial Supervisory Service urged consumers to exercise heightened vigilance, noting that voice phishing scams could spread by impersonating government agencies or financial institutions and making false claims such as emergency funding support for exporters or nationwide fuel cost payments.

According to the Financial Services Commission, scammers may contact consumers via text messages claiming "emergency funding support is available" or that the recipient has been "selected as an emergency funding support beneficiary." They may then induce victims to click on a URL link included in the message, under the pretense of applying for funding support. This could result in the installation of malicious applications on the consumer's smartphone, potentially leading to the theft of personal information. In addition, scammers may encourage victims to call a phone number included in the text message and, during the call, request personal information or demand a money transfer under the pretext of a deposit required for financial support.

The Financial Services Commission emphasized that applications for assistance related to the Middle East situation should always be verified directly through the official website or main phone number of the relevant agency. The agency also warned consumers never to click on URLs with unclear sources included in text messages, and to refrain from providing personal information or complying with requests for money transfers.

If you have fallen victim to such a scam, you should immediately report it to 112 and contact your financial institution to request a payment suspension.

A Financial Services Commission official stated, "The financial authorities will continue to closely monitor voice phishing trends related to the Middle East situation," adding, "If incidents occur, we will also consider further measures, such as raising the consumer alert level."

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