[DigitalToday reporter Ji-young Lee (이지영)] K Bank is using AI technology to help users safely interpret text messages suspected of being scams.

K Bank launched an AI service to read smishing texts on Thursday, it said. Users can copy a mobile text message and paste it into the K Bank app, where AI assesses whether it poses a fraud risk.

Smishing is a blend of SMS and phishing. It is a scam method in which fraudsters impersonate an institution or company, send texts to mobile phones and induce victims to click a link to install a malicious app and steal financial and personal information.

Using the service is simple. If a user receives a message suspected of being a scam or of unclear origin but requiring verification, the user can copy the text and paste it after going to Financial Safety under the full menu in the K Bank app.

If the service determines the message carries a high risk of fraud, it provides a warning that reads, "It is likely to be smishing," along with detailed grounds for the assessment. It also provides recommendations such as not clicking links, being cautious about entering personal information and checking directly with the institution.

The core of the service is a finance-specialised private large language model, first introduced by an internet-only bank in February. The AI learned from actual smishing cases and financial fraud data, and analyses words or patterns in text messages to provide the likelihood of smishing and the basis for its assessment.

A K Bank official said, "We are putting top priority on protecting customers' assets, including establishing the Safety Research Lab in February last year to protect customers from financial fraud." The official added, "We will continue to introduce innovative security services based on AI technology so customers can use our services with peace of mind."