"Ansan City Launches Reporting Center to Crack Down on Illegal Distribution of Consumption Coupons"

On July 31, the city of Ansan in Gyeonggi Province announced that it has opened a 'reporting center' and is monitoring reports and operations in order to block illegal distribution of the 'Livelihood Recovery Consumption Coupon' provided by the government.

In Ansan, 529,000 people, or 84.8% of the first-round eligible applicants for the consumption coupon, have completed their applications. The total amount of support distributed is 87.5 billion won.

However, there have been numerous posts observed on online secondhand trading platforms such as Danggeun Market, offering to sell the consumption coupon prepaid cards at discounted prices, indicating signs of illegal distribution. It has been identified that prepaid cards are mainly being used for such illegal distribution of consumption coupons.

An official from the city explained, "In the case of Ansan, since we do not use the prepaid card distribution method, the risk of illegal distribution is lower compared to other cities." However, due to concerns about illegal distribution in cases such as not purchasing goods with credit or debit cards, or exchanging vouchers for cash at amounts exceeding the actual purchase price, the city has decided to operate the reporting center.

If consumption coupons are illegally converted into cash, recipients must return the support amount in accordance with the 'Act on the Management of Subsidies.' Depending on the severity of the violation, a penalty surcharge of up to five times the support amount may also be imposed. In particular, if a person receives consumption coupons through a false transaction, they may face up to three years in prison or a fine of up to 20 million won. If a person receives vouchers without an actual transaction or at a value exceeding the actual transaction amount, the merchant's registration may be canceled and an administrative fine of up to 20 million won may be imposed.

Do Wonjung, Director of Planning and Economy at Ansan City, urged, "We ask that citizens who discover any violations report them immediately to the reporting center."