As the application guide for the 'Recovery Consumption Coupons' from major information technology (IT) corporations and financial firms has begun, cybersecurity authorities have once again urged users to remain vigilant against smishing and voice phishing attempts. With the electronic payment industry and credit card companies preparing to send notifications regarding expected amounts and application instructions ahead of the coupon application on the 21st, there are concerns that smishing and phishing attempts targeting this opportunity will increase.
According to the Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA) on the 15th, a recent notice posted on the Boho Country website warned users to be cautious of phishing scams impersonating the distribution of recovery consumption coupons, emphasizing the need to prepare for the increase in smishing, phishing sites, and voice phishing attempts that may arise during the coupon distribution period. The security notice indicated that spam messages using keywords such as 'subsidy, recipients, coupon issuing sources' will likely attempt to steal personal and financial information.
KISA emphasized that the official notification messages for applying for the consumption coupons do not include internet addresses (URLs) and that applications cannot be made outside official channels such as Government 24, local governments, and credit card company websites. Additionally, the official coupon application site does not ask for sensitive information such as card numbers or passwords. Particularly, if an alert message mentions 'international or overseas sender,' it is certainly a smishing message, so users should not click on any included links or call the number from which the call was received.
KISA informed that by registering the Kakao channel 'Boho Country' as a friend and utilizing the 'Smishing and Phishing Verification Service,' users can determine whether spam is malicious and report it.