"Beware of Government Text Message Phishing"
On July 16, Namwon City in North Jeolla Province announced that it is encouraging residents to utilize the "Gukmin Biseo Notification Service," which allows individuals to receive advance information about eligibility and payment amounts ahead of the government's planned "Livelihood Recovery Consumption Coupon" distribution.
Under this program, each individual will receive a basic amount of 150,000 won. Lower-income households and single-parent families will receive 300,000 won, while recipients of the Basic Livelihood Security Program will receive 400,000 won. As Namwon City is designated as a depopulated area, an additional 50,000 won will be provided. Applications for the support funds will be accepted from July 21 to September 12, and the funds must be used by November 30.
The Gukmin Biseo Notification Service has been available for application since July 14 through 17 major apps, including Naver, KakaoTalk, and Toss, as well as the Gukmin Biseo website. By signing up for notifications, individuals will receive text messages starting July 19 with information on their eligibility, payment amount, application procedures, and usage deadlines.
The city expects that this notification service will be especially helpful due to the individualized nature of the consumption coupon, allowing residents to confirm their eligibility and payment amount in advance.
Additionally, follow-up notifications will be sent to those whose payment amounts change, as well as deadline reminders for those who have not applied or have not used the funds, ensuring that citizens do not miss out on the support available to them.
Applicants can choose to receive the support via credit or debit card, local gift certificate, or prepaid card. Online applications can be made through each card company's app or website, or through the local gift certificate platform (Local Gift Certificate Chak).
Offline applications can be submitted at bank branches affiliated with the relevant card (credit or debit) or at local administrative welfare centers.
In particular, for the digitally vulnerable, such as elderly individuals who have difficulty using smartphones or apps, applications can be easily submitted in person at administrative welfare centers using the prepaid card method. The city clarified that paper-based local gift certificates will not be distributed.
Given the recent increase in smishing text scams impersonating government policies, the city also urged citizens to exercise particular caution. The government, card companies, and local gift certificate providers will never send text messages containing links (URLs), and notifications from Gukmin Biseo will only be sent via text message or Kakao notification talk.
Mayor Choi Kyungsik stated, "By simply applying for the Gukmin Biseo service, citizens can receive advance information about their support amount and application method, so I hope many residents will apply to receive support without confusion."
He added, "We are concerned about cases where people are deceived by fake messages disguised as support fund applications and end up entering personal information or installing malicious apps. If you receive a message containing an unclear link, do not click it and immediately report it to 118 or the police."
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