Check the 'Site Address' Before Applying for the National Support Fund... Smishing Alert

September 6 National Support Fund Application Begins
Concerns Over Smishing Scam Victims via Text Messages

[Asia Economy Reporter Cha Min-young] "You are eligible for the National Support Fund. Click to apply. Apply -> http://kr-hw.com" Kim Young-eun (alias), a self-employed person in their 50s, recently clicked on a support fund application site address sent via mobile text message and suffered damage from the installation of a malicious application (app). This is a so-called 'smishing' crime, a phishing spam that spreads mass text messages to steal financial information and more.

The Ministry of Science and ICT and the Korea Communications Commission warned users on the 5th that smishing crimes impersonating the government and credit card companies are expected to increase.

Smishing is a compound word of SMS and phishing. Criminal groups send mass text messages containing addresses of malicious apps. They induce users to click on site addresses or make phone calls to steal financial and personal information.

Concerns have risen that smishing crimes will surge in line with the application and payment period for the 'COVID-19 Coexistence National Support Fund (National Support Fund)' starting on the 6th. Smishing text messages are expected to include information about eligibility and amounts of the National Support Fund, card usage approval, and support fund charging.

Users should actively utilize the National Secretary pre-notification service to prevent smishing damage. If you receive notification texts from unknown sources other than the National Secretary and credit card companies, or texts containing suspicious internet addresses impersonating the government or credit card companies, you should carefully check them once more. Practicing the 'Top 10 Smartphone Security Rules' regularly also helps in prevention. If you receive suspected smishing texts or suspect infection by malicious apps, you can receive counseling at the 118 Counseling Center, which operates free of charge 24 hours a day.

Meanwhile, starting from the 6th, when the National Support Fund application and payment begin, the government plans to sequentially send 'smishing damage prevention texts' under the name of each telecommunications company. They will conduct 24-hour monitoring and immediately block distributors of malicious apps upon discovery.