Strengthened ID Verification When Activating Mobile Phones... "Preventing Voice Phishing"

Strengthening Identity Verification Procedures
Enhanced Security Measures

Dummy phone photo. Asia Economy DB

The government will implement an ID photo authenticity verification service when activating mobile phones to prevent voice phishing damage.

The Ministry of Science and ICT announced on the 24th that it will implement an ID photo authenticity verification service to prevent financial crimes such as voice phishing and to establish a reliable identity verification system.

The ID photo authenticity verification service is a service that simultaneously verifies the ID photo and text information when activating a mobile phone to determine whether it has been forged or altered.

Previously, only text such as letters and numbers was used to verify IDs, but this time, the identity verification process has been strengthened by including ID photos, thereby enhancing security levels. This service applies to resident registration cards and driver's licenses.

If the ID is damaged, identity verification may be difficult, and a reissued ID or alternative identification such as a resident registration card or driver's license must be submitted.

This service will be applied from the 25th, and the authenticity will be verified by comparing the photo on the ID along with text information such as resident registration number, name, and issue date with information held by administrative information agencies: the Ministry of the Interior and Safety (resident registration cards) and the National Police Agency (driver's licenses).

Lee Do-gyu, Director of Telecommunications Policy at the Ministry of Science and ICT, stated, "It is important to proactively block criminal tools such as burner phones to prevent voice phishing crimes," adding, "To respond to evolving voice phishing crime methods, we plan to continue efforts to eradicate voice phishing by introducing facial recognition verification when activating mobile phones."