Beware of Fake Korean Tax Emails About Cryptocurrency
Beware of Fake Korean Tax Emails About Cryptocurrency
“Did you receive an email claiming to be from Korea’s National Tax Service about cryptocurrency taxes?”
Be careful before clicking any links or opening attachments.
Korea’s National Tax Service (NTS) has warned taxpayers about phishing emails impersonating the tax authority and referring to virtual asset taxation.
Some fraudulent emails have been sent with titles suggesting that the recipient needs to provide information or respond to a cryptocurrency tax notice.
The Email May Look Official
Scam emails can be designed to look like legitimate government notices.
They may use tax-related terminology, official-looking layouts, or urgent messages encouraging you to open a link or attachment.
However, the NTS has specifically warned that fraudulent emails using cryptocurrency tax-related notices have been circulated.
If you receive an unexpected tax email, do not assume it is genuine simply because it mentions the National Tax Service or Korean taxes.
Check Through Hometax First
If you are unsure whether an email or text message was actually sent by the NTS, you can verify it through Hometax.
Official NTS email and text-message history can be checked through your Hometax account.
Instead of clicking a link contained in a suspicious email, access Hometax directly and confirm whether the notice appears in your official message history.
What Should You Do With a Suspicious Email?
If you receive an unexpected email claiming to be from the Korean tax authorities:
Do not click suspicious links.
Do not open unknown attachments.
Do not enter your Hometax ID, password, or other personal information.
Verify the notice directly through Hometax.
Delete or report suspicious messages.
If you have already clicked a suspicious link or believe your personal information may have been compromised, report the incident through the appropriate Korean cybercrime or cybersecurity channels.
Unsure Whether a Korean Tax Notice Is Real?
Foreign residents may find Korean tax notices particularly difficult to distinguish from sophisticated phishing messages.
If you receive a tax notice involving cryptocurrency, overseas income, or another unfamiliar tax issue, verify the message before providing any information or making a payment.
If you are unsure whether you actually have a Korean tax obligation, consulting a qualified tax professional can help you confirm your situation before responding to the message.
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