"Please enter your address for the delivery of holiday gift sets."
As the Chuseok holiday approaches, financial authorities are warning consumers to be vigilant against voice phishing scams that impersonate delivery services or unpaid fines. Clicking on malicious URLs included in text messages can lead to identity theft or financial losses without the victim's knowledge.
According to data submitted to lawmaker Kim Ye-ji from the National Police Agency on September 24, the amount lost to voice phishing during the month that includes Chuseok rose dramatically from 51.6 billion won in September 2021 to 101.1 billion won in October 2022, marking a 95.9% increase. While the number of reported cases increased only slightly from 1,812 to 1,981, the scale of financial losses nearly doubled.
The average loss per incident also saw a significant rise, increasing by 78.9% from approximately 28.5 million won in 2021 to about 51 million won last year. This indicates that as criminal methods become more sophisticated, the financial impact on victims is growing.
Regionally, last year saw 516 cases resulting in 32.4 billion won in losses in Seoul, while the southern Gyeonggi Province reported 402 cases with losses totaling 17.2 billion won. Together, these two areas accounted for nearly half of the national losses.
The increase in scams during the holiday season is attributed to the rise in communication and gift deliveries among family and friends, which criminal organizations are exploiting. Common tactics include sending URLs that prompt the installation of malicious applications under the guise of delivery address errors, Chuseok gift address registration, or delivery issues, as well as offering low-interest loans during the holiday.
The Financial Services Commission and the Financial Supervisory Service have also warned that voice phishing scams related to gift deliveries and overseas travel may increase around Chuseok. Scammers may send messages about delivery address errors or unpaid fines, leading victims to click on dubious links.
Authorities advise against clicking on any unknown URLs. If a malicious app has already been installed, users should turn off their phones or switch to airplane mode to block external communication, then seek assistance from their mobile carrier to remove the app and, if necessary, reset their phones.
During the holiday period, caution is also advised when selling leftover foreign currency on online marketplaces. Scammers may approach sellers with offers of higher exchange rates or bonuses, tricking them into sending money to the scammers' accounts under the pretense of a legitimate sale.
While foreign currency sellers may believe they have received legitimate payment, if the deposited amount is actually from a voice phishing scam, they could unknowingly become involved in money laundering.
Financial authorities recommend utilizing the financial transaction safety blocking service. By applying for this service, individuals can prevent unauthorized loans, new account openings, or open banking subscriptions from occurring without their knowledge. Applications can be made at financial institutions, through the Financial Settlement Service's Account Info app, or via mobile banking.
Lawmaker Kim Ye-ji stated, "We must thoroughly trace the connections of criminal organizations, including overseas masterminds and domestic recruiters, as well as strengthen the recovery of criminal proceeds. It is crucial that police and financial and telecommunications institutions establish a more robust prevention system to protect vulnerable populations, especially the elderly, from financial scams during the holiday season."
Meanwhile, overseas voice phishing organizations are becoming active again. The number of overseas voice phishing suspects repatriated to South Korea decreased from 544 in 2023 to 199 in 2024, but rose again to 261 last year. As of August this year, 305 individuals have already been repatriated.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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