Voice Phishing That Looks Like A Ghost … If You Keep Only 4 Things You Can Stop It Financial Radar

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Voice phishing (financial telephone fraud) shows no signs of abating. Despite the efforts of financial authorities, consumer damage increases every year. Since 2018, the amount of damage has exceeded one trillion won. It is noted that customized comprehensive measures are needed to block evolving voice phishing in advance and protect consumers, but authorities are also struggling as it could lead to financial market regulation.

How to prevent voice phishing is surprisingly simple. However, it is not easily saved. This is the reason why the damage of voice phishing is not small, even in the 20s to 40s, which is relatively strong in IT security and financial awareness.

The most important thing is not to give account passwords, etc. to other people in any case. In many cases, personal information on smartphones is stolen through voice phishing applications (applications), so you should only use certified application marketplaces and not download applications.

You should also avoid accessing URLs (Internet addresses) that are not clearly found in text messages. Of course, you shouldn’t even open the attached file. If an acquaintance asks you to send a large amount of money via text message or Kakao Talk, unlike usual, you need to make an effort to confirm with parenting.

Experts caution that most voice phishing can be prevented if these four things are well maintained. And if you discover that it has been voice phishing, you should contact a financial company, the Customer Service Center of the Financial Supervision Service (1332), etc., and immediately request the suspension of the payment of the account.

Voice phishing damage, annual maximum for the past 3 years

According to the Democratic Party legislator’s office, along with Dongsu, a member of the National Assembly Political Affairs Committee, the number of voice phishing victims last year was 72,488, 3.2% (2,270) more than the last year. The amount of damage also increased by 51% in one year to 672 billion won last year.

Representative Yoo noted, “The number and amount of voice phishing damage has increased dramatically in the last three years and is breaking the record every year.”

Despite the increased damage from voice phishing, the damage recovery rate remains at 30%. According to Choi In-ho, a member of the Democratic Party office, from 2018 to June, the amount of voice phishing damage from 18 commercial banks was 1.28.9 billion won, of which 70% of the amount that was not returned was 7176 billion won.

What can I do if they don’t hit me?

It’s best not to suffer from voice phishing, but ordinary people are helplessly exposed to evolving techniques. In most cases, phone calls are automatically intercepted and connected to voice phishing organizations, or information is stolen from the smartphone to make it impossible to respond. This is the reason why So-yeon complains that he “was possessed by a ghost”.

However, there are certainly ways to reduce the damage. Do not access URLs (Internet addresses) in messages sent by others and do not open attachments at will.

Also, it is better to only use applications that are officially registered in the application market, such as Google Play and App Store. It is also a precautionary measure to install a mobile vaccine that protects smartphones and to update them regularly.

Banknotes also block voice phishing

Banks’ efforts to protect consumers also continue. These are measures to block voice phishing in advance and prevent consumers from sending money.

Shinhan Bank is the most active among commercial banks. Earlier this year, Shinhan Bank formed a dedicated voice phishing team of about 30 people to develop ways to prevent harm to consumers. Analyze the existing transaction and target the possibility of voice phishing during the first transfer transaction. The financial oversight plaintiff plans to develop a voice phishing prevention app and launch it in the second half of this year.

Kookmin Bank prevents the harm of voice phishing by strengthening the purpose of financial transactions for consumers. Hana Bank reinforces the authentication process, such as requesting video authentication when a voice phishing risk is detected. Woori Bank automatically detects whether or not a voice phishing application is installed when Woori WON Banking is launched and blocks fraudulent transfers.

An official from the financial authorities said: “We are operating various voice phishing measures with the banking sector to reduce harm to consumers. We will also make various efforts to prevent new methods, such as establishing a joint alert system with the National Agency for Policeman”.

Yoon Jin-woo, Hankyung.com reporter [email protected]