Sent money to a phone scammer? Do these steps right away

Phone scams (보이스피싱, voice phishing) are still common in Korea. The government says cases from October 2025 to July 2026 fell about 40% compared with a year earlier, but it also warns that scammers keep finding new tricks.

If you sent money or gave your details

1. Call your bank, or the bank you sent money to, straight away. Report the scam and ask them to freeze the account (지급정지). You can also be connected through the police on 112 or the Financial Supervisory Service on 1332.
2. If an app was installed, turn the phone off or switch to airplane mode, then reset the phone or delete the app.
3. If your ID or bank details leaked, register it at pd.fss.or.kr. This helps stop new accounts and cards being opened in your name.
4. You can freeze all your own accounts at once at www.payinfo.or.kr or by phoning or visiting your bank.
5. Get a report record from the police, then apply for damage relief (피해구제신청) in writing at the bank branch within 3 business days.

Some of these online services need phone verification or a digital certificate (인증서). If you cannot use them, call or visit your bank.

Next step: save your bank's customer centre number in your phone today, so you can call fast if it happens.

Sources: Financial Supervisory Service, what to do after voice phishing; Korea Policy Briefing, 2 September 2026. Checked 15 September 2026.