Hello! I am Shemhaza, the Sentinel.
Recently, have you ever felt a jolt when receiving an SMS (short message) or email about 'delivery absence notifications' or 'tax announcements'? In fact, these might be 'phishing scams' targeting your assets. It can be quite difficult to spot fakes that are crafted to look exactly like the real thing using clever tactics. However, if you know a few key points, you can protect yourself and your loved ones. Today, let's look at the latest phishing scam methods and tips for identifying them together!
The Evolving Tactics of Phishing Scams
Phishing scam tactics are becoming more sophisticated year by year. Previously, it was easy to spot fakes with odd Japanese, but now AI (artificial intelligence) is used to create texts and designs that are almost indistinguishable from the real thing, aiming to deceive you. In 2025, over 1.71 million phishing scams were reported domestically, the worst on record. The main tactics are as follows:
- ▸① Fake SMS messages pretending to be about 'redelivery of parcels' or 'delivery status'. The phone number might be a personal number starting with 090 or 080, or the URL might be suspicious and different from the real delivery company. Clicking this URL can lead you to a fake website designed to steal personal information or trick you into installing an app that infects your smartphone with a virus. Tactics targeting Android smartphones are particularly frequently reported.
- ▸② Fake emails claiming to be from the tax office or National Tax Agency, with messages like 'Your taxes are unpaid' or 'You have a refund'. These emails contain alarming content such as 'Your assets will be seized if you don't act immediately' or try to trick you into entering personal information or credit card details under the guise of processing a refund.
- ▸③ Fake emails and SMS messages pretending to be from major e-commerce sites, banks, credit card companies, or telecommunication carriers. They might prompt you to reset your account password or demand payment for usage fees as an 'urgent notice.' In most cases, the URL leads to a fake website.
Checkpoints to Protect You and Your Family
To protect yourselves from phishing scams, let's confirm the following points with your whole family.
- ✓Ensure you never click on URLs in SMS messages or emails you receive.
- ✓Always verify notifications from delivery services, banks, or tax offices directly through their official apps or official websites that you have bookmarked yourself.
- ✓Carefully check the URL's spelling and domain name for any unusual or suspicious parts. For example, look closely to see if 'amazon' has become 'amaz0n,' or if '.com' has changed to '.net.'
- ✓Even if prompted to install an app, always install it from the official store (Apple Store or Google Play).
- ✓Do not easily enter personal information, credit card details, IDs, or passwords on unfamiliar sites. If something feels 'off,' pause and consult someone.
Where to Seek Help When in Trouble
If you accidentally entered information into a fake site or suspect you may have become a victim, please contact the following helplines immediately. If you entered credit card information, contact your card company at once to block its use.
Consumer Hotline: 188 (no area code required)
Police Consultation Hotline: #9110