AI Scam Warnings Issued Ahead of Chuseok

According to AI TIMES, ESTsecurity said on September 22 that it had unveiled four major types of holiday scams exploiting AI ahead of the Chuseok holiday, and warned that verifying identities by voice or video call alone is no longer enough to feel safe. The key tactics include deep voice and deepfake scams that mimic acquaintances with just a few seconds of audio, customized phishing written in natural-sounding sentences, account theft attacks targeting multiple accounts at once, and sophisticated impersonation combined with leaked information. These methods undermine existing judgment standards by striking at the moment victims believe they have directly confirmed the other party's identity. In particular, any contact asking for money urgently or prompting an app installation should be questioned again. The company said it is necessary to prearrange family-only verification methods and to go through a second check using a contact number people already know. It also emphasized that preventive steps before the holiday, such as blocking installations of apps from unclear sources and checking for data leaks and passwords, should be taken quickly.