“Don’t Fall for These Messages” – Phishing Alert Exploiting Coupang Data Breach

[Financial News] The police have issued a warning about ongoing phishing and smishing attempts exploiting the recent Coupang personal information leak.
According to the Joint Response Team for Telecommunications Financial Fraud under the Korean National Police Agency (KNPA) on the 7th, new cases of smishing and phishing attempts related to the Coupang data breach are being reported to the police and other authorities.
Common tactics include urging recipients to click on specific links by claiming delivery delays for ordered items, or combining the Coupang data breach with existing card delivery scam methods.
The police explained that scammers often create anxiety by saying things like, “A credit card has been issued in your name,” or, “Due to the Coupang data breach, a card you did not apply for may have been issued. You should check with the customer service center.”
If victims call the fake customer service number provided by the scammers, they are then instructed to install a remote control application (app) on their phones under the pretense of checking for malware or improving security.
The KNPA stated that, so far, there have been no confirmed cases of direct secondary damage resulting from the Coupang data breach. However, they emphasized the need for continued vigilance, as new tactics may emerge or additional incidents could occur.
For example, messages or internet links (URLs) sent from unknown phone numbers should never be clicked and must be deleted immediately. It is also important to remember that government agencies, financial institutions, and properly registered companies will never ask you to install apps via phone calls or text messages. If you are approached by someone impersonating a government or financial institution, you should hang up immediately, inform someone you trust, or report it to the 112 Police Emergency Number.
The Joint Response Team for Telecommunications Financial Fraud is currently monitoring reports of phishing and smishing impersonating Coupang in real time, blocking suspicious numbers, and working closely with relevant agencies.
A representative from the Joint Response Team stated, “Reports from the public are crucial in preventing further damage and protecting others from similar crimes. Timely reporting also helps us quickly identify and respond to new tactics, so if you suspect a scam exploiting the Coupang incident, please report it immediately.”
welcome@fnnews.com Jang Yu-ha Reporter