Beware of Smishing Scams Using Fake Links for 'Disaster Relief Fund Additional Application and Mask Delivery'

Source: National Police Agency

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Dong-hoon] The National Police Agency has warned that smishing attacks, which lure victims with fake links through text messages such as 'Emergency Disaster Relief Fund Additional Application' and 'Mask Delivery Confirmation,' are on the rise, urging caution. Smishing is a combination of SMS (Short Message Service) and phishing. It refers to a crime method where clicking on an internet address within a text message leads to the theft of personal information and other data.

According to the National Police Agency on the 16th, the number of smishing damage cases reported in the first half of this year totaled 251, more than three times the 83 cases reported during the same period last year. This also exceeds the 208 cases reported throughout the entire previous year.

The National Police Agency emphasized, "Recently, smishing messages impersonating government agencies and delivery companies related to COVID-19, such as 'Emergency Disaster Relief Fund July Additional Application' and 'Mask Delivery Confirmation,' have been increasing, so extra caution is necessary." Currently, the National Police Agency is responding to smishing and the production and distribution of malicious programs used in smishing through focused crackdowns on crimes infringing on the low-income economy and special crackdowns on crimes infringing on information and communication networks.

To prevent such smishing damage, users should ▲ not click on internet addresses (URLs) in texts such as emergency living support payment confirmation or mask delivery confirmation if the source is unverified ▲ strengthen smartphone security settings to prevent apps from unknown sources from being installed without permission ▲ install antivirus programs provided by mobile carriers and maintain real-time monitoring.

The National Police Agency provides smishing detection, damage alert issuance functions, and smishing prevention guidelines through the mobile app 'CyberCop,' which is operated to prevent cybercrime.