Gov't issues consumer alert, launches monthlong effort to prevent fraud after data breaches

Financial authorities issued a consumer alert at the “caution” level Tuesday after suspected artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted cyberattacks exposed personal information at banks, savings banks and a capital finance company. They also launched a monthlong special response period to prevent scams involving the stolen data. The measures follow data breaches reported at seven firms since the beginning of this month — Shinhan Bank, KB Kookmin Bank, Hana Bank, BNK Busan Bank, Yegaram Savings Bank, Welcome Savings Bank and Hyundai Capital. The incidents suggest the attacks, first reported in the banking sector, are having a broader impact. During the special response period, financial firms must open dedicated support channels for affected customers and immediately report any confirmed or suspected cases of follow-up fraud to regulators. Firms must also strengthen monitoring through their fraud detection systems (FDS). Suspicious information linked to the breaches will be promptly shared through an AI-powered platform for sharing and analyzing voice phishing information used by financ