Living in Korea brings many modern conveniences. One of the most useful is mobile small-amount payment (소액결제, so-aek gyeol-je), which allows you to charge online purchases directly to your phone bill.
Since late August 2025, however, this convenience has turned into a serious security risk. A new and highly sophisticated form of telecom fraud has been spreading across Korea. This ongoing wave of KT 소액결제 fraud has already caused significant financial losses, especially among foreigners who may not be familiar with how the system works.
This isn’t a case of phishing or a scam message. It’s a technical attack that exploits the way your phone connects to the network itself.
In this post, you'll learn what the "Ghost Tower" scam is, how it works, and what you need to do now to protect your phone and your money.
What You Need to Know: The "Ghost Tower" Scam and How It Works
The recent KT 소액결제 fraud is unlike anything we’ve seen
before. Police and cybersecurity experts now believe the culprits used
illegal "mini-base stations," which have been dubbed "Ghost Towers" (유령 기지국, yu-ryeong gi-ji-guk) by the media.
So, what exactly is a Ghost Tower? Think of it as a fake, unofficial cell tower small enough to fit in a bag. Criminals operate these devices in public places, and when your phone’s signal is weak, it might unknowingly connect to one of these Ghost Towers instead of a legitimate one. This is a crucial step in the scam.
Once your phone is connected, the Ghost Tower can perform what is known
as a "man-in-the-middle" attack. This is like a game of telephone where
a criminal secretly stands in the middle, intercepting and changing the
messages. For example, your phone sends a request to the KT network, and
the Ghost Tower intercepts it, secretly grabbing your personal
information and authentication codes. This is why many victims of this
통신사 사기 reported not receiving any notification text,
making it a truly "silent attack."
Crucial Updates: What KT and the Korean Government Are Doing Now
The public outcry and police investigation have forced a rapid and decisive response from both KT and the government.
Full Refunds: KT’s Official Promise to Victims
In a move to
regain customer trust and address the
소액결제 해킹 concerns, KT has officially announced that it
will provide a full refund for all financial losses resulting from this
specific fraud. If you have been a victim, you must contact the KT
customer service center (call 114 from a KT phone) to report the
incident. This is a significant relief for those who have lost money.
Emergency Measures: Blocking the Ghost Towers (통신망 접속 전면 제한)
Following a direct order from the Ministry of Science and ICT, KT has taken immediate action to prevent future attacks. The company has completely restricted access to its network for any new mini-base station equipment, effectively shutting down the very infrastructure that enabled the "Ghost Tower" scam. Other major Korean mobile carriers, including SK Telecom and LG Uplus, are also reportedly considering similar actions to secure their own networks against this new threat.
Immediate Action Steps: Your Security Checklist
With the cause now identified, it's time to take control of your personal security. While KT is working to fix its network, you need to protect yourself from any lingering or future vulnerabilities.
Step 1: How to Block Your KT Mobile Payments (KT 소액결제 차단 방법)
Even if you never use this feature, blocking it is the single most effective way to prevent unauthorized charges.
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Via the MyKT App: Open the MyKT app, tap the search icon, and type "소액결제". Select the "Mobile Small Payment Details/Limit Management" menu. From there, you can either set your limit to 0 KRW or tap the "차단" (cha-dan, block) button.
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By Phone Call: If the app is difficult to navigate, you can simply call the KT customer service center at 114 (from a KT phone) and ask a representative to block your mobile payment feature.
Step 2: Check Your Family’s Accounts
This scam has no specific age or demographic target. Make sure to check the accounts of your children who use a mobile phone, as well as elderly family members who might be less tech-savvy. Setting their mobile payment limit to zero or completely blocking the feature is a crucial preventative measure.
Step 3: Beyond Blocking: What Else You MUST Do
Blocking the payment feature is a great first step, but it might not be a foolproof solution. Therefore, you must develop a proactive habit of checking your phone bill. Simply log into the MyKT app and navigate to your "Usage Details" to review your small-amount payment history. The faster you detect a fraudulent transaction, the sooner you can report it and prevent further damage.
Long-Term Phone Security Tips for Expats in Korea
Now that you've handled the immediate threat, it’s time to build a stronger, long-term security fortress. Scammers are always evolving, so you need to be a step ahead. These tips go beyond blocking a single feature and will help you safeguard your entire digital life in Korea.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) Everywhere
This is a
golden rule of online security. Many apps and services in
Korea—especially banking and payment platforms—offer a 2FA option.
Activating it means that even if a criminal somehow gets your password,
they can’t access your account without a second verification code sent
to your phone or email. This makes it significantly harder for scammers
to perform any kind of 통신사 사기.
Consider a "Phone Identity Theft Prevention Service"
Did you know that Korean mobile carriers offer a service to prevent someone from opening a new phone line under your name? This is called "Identity Theft Prevention Service," or 명의도용 방지 (myeong-ui-do-yong bang-ji). You can subscribe to this service to receive a text message whenever a new phone line is opened using your Alien Registration Card (ARC) details. This is an essential safeguard against SIM swapping, another serious type of fraud where criminals clone your SIM card to hijack your number. You can usually apply for this service through your carrier's customer service center or app.
Proactive Monitoring: The Red Flags
Since the "Ghost Tower"
attack was designed to be silent, a daily or weekly check of your
transaction history on the MyKT app is a must. The faster you detect a
fraudulent transaction, the sooner you can report it and prevent further
damage. Additionally, be alert for any abnormal phone behavior. Sudden
logouts from apps like KakaoTalk or your phone becoming unresponsive
could be a sign that a 소액결제 해킹 is in progress. If
this happens, immediately turn off your Wi-Fi and mobile data.
FAQ: Your Top Questions Answered
Q1. Can this happen to foreigners, too? I'm on an expat-friendly plan.
Yes. The fraud targets the network and the technology of the phone, not the user's nationality or subscription plan. Anyone with a vulnerable phone connection could be at risk.
Q2. What if I don't use a Korean bank account or credit card for my mobile payment?
Even if you don't have a linked bank account, a 소액결제 (so-aek gyeol-je) charge goes directly onto your monthly phone bill. This means the money is still being taken from you, as it will be included in the total you pay.
Q3. Should I cancel my KT plan and switch to a different carrier?
The "Ghost Tower" scam is a type of technical fraud that could potentially affect any mobile carrier. While the recent incident happened to KT users, other companies (like SKT and LG Uplus) are also taking steps to secure their networks. Switching carriers might not guarantee complete safety. The key is to be proactive with your security habits, regardless of who your provider is.
Q4. Does having a VPN protect me from this type of fraud?
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is great for privacy and online security, but it does not protect you from a "Ghost Tower" scam. This type of attack targets your mobile network connection before it even reaches the internet. Your phone is being compromised at a fundamental level.
Q5. I got a suspicious text message. What should I do?
The recent fraud was a "silent attack" that didn't involve scam texts. However, you should always be cautious. Do not click on suspicious links or download anything from unknown sources. This is a separate, but equally important, security habit.
Conclusion: Stay Vigilant, Stay Informed
The recent KT 소액결제 fraud serves as a powerful reminder
that while technology makes our lives easier, it also creates new
vulnerabilities. The "Ghost Tower" scam is a serious issue that has
prompted a swift response from KT and the Korean government. But as a
resident in Korea, your best defense is to be informed and proactive.
Take a few minutes today to check your phone settings, review your bills, and talk to your family about these risks. The small effort you make now can save you from significant financial and emotional stress. Stay vigilant, stay informed, and enjoy your life in Korea with peace of mind.
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