Fake Crypto Tax Emails Impersonating Korea’s Tax Agency Spread, Prompting Warning Against Clicking Links
Summary
- The National Tax Service said hacking emails impersonating notices such as “Advance Explanation Notice on Virtual Asset Taxation” are being circulated, and urged people to avoid clicking links and attachments in the messages.
- The agency said clicking a link in the email could expose personal information, and advised users to verify directly through Hometax whether the email or text message is genuine.
- Anyone who has already clicked a suspicious link can file a report through the Korean National Police Agency’s cybercrime reporting system or the Korea Internet & Security Agency’s personal data breach reporting center.
Forecast Trend Report by Period
South Korea’s National Tax Service urged users to exercise caution after hacking emails posing as notices about virtual-asset taxation began circulating.
The agency said on Aug. 14 that phishing emails with subject lines including “Advance Explanation Notice on Virtual Asset Taxation” were being distributed. It advised recipients not to click any links or attachments in the messages.
Opening the email or clicking a link contained in it could expose personal information, according to the National Tax Service. The messages are designed to induce recipients to click by presenting themselves as guidance related to virtual-asset taxation.
Users can verify through Hometax, the agency’s online tax portal, whether an email or text message was actually sent by the National Tax Service. If they receive a suspicious message, the safer course is to access Hometax directly rather than use any link included in the email or text.
Anyone who has already clicked a suspicious link can file a report through the Korean National Police Agency’s cybercrime reporting system or the Korea Internet & Security Agency’s personal data breach reporting center.
The National Tax Service said impersonation emails invoking virtual-asset taxation have caused personal data leaks and urged the public to remain vigilant.
