Government Warns of Surge in Consumer Coupon Smishing Scams: 'URL Links Are 100% Fraud'
The Ministry of the Interior and Safety warned on July 11th that smishing (SMS phishing) crimes related to the 'Livelihood Recovery Consumer Coupon' are expected to surge as the application and distribution period begins. The ministry particularly emphasized that any consumer coupon notification text containing URL links is "100% fraud." Background of Surging Smishing Crimes As the government's Livelihood Recovery Consumer Coupon policy for economic stimulus enters full implementation, fraudsters are exploiting this program for criminal activities. Scammers are impersonating government agencies, card companies, and banks to send fake text messages about eligibility notifications, amount guidance, card usage approval, and applications. The Ministry of the Interior and Safety firmly stated, "If any consumer coupon-related notification text contains URL links, it is 100% fraud." The key point is that the government does not include links in any consu...