Ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday, users are urged to beware of bait text messages that lure recipients with claims of "Lunar New Year gift delivery" and steer them to gambling sites and other destinations.

The Broadcasting and Media Communications Commission on Tuesday urged caution, saying bait texts exploiting the holiday are being sent, including messages such as "Prepare for Lunar New Year, receive up to 2 million won" and "Lunar New Year event: 1+2=3 items."

If users tap internet addresses included in such messages and access illegal sites, malware can be installed to steal personal and financial information. That can lead to further damage such as unauthorized transfers and remote control of mobile phones.

To prevent damage from bait texts, the commission is working with the National Police Agency. It has been sending "Beware of smishing texts during the Lunar New Year holiday" alerts in phases since Feb. 9 together with the three mobile carriers, including SK Telecom, KT and LG Uplus, and the Korea Information and Communication Promotion Association (KAIT).

Users should not tap URLs included in texts suspected of being illegal spam and should not answer calls. The commission urged people who find suspected illegal spam to report it through an illegal spam quick-report app, a mobile phone quick-report service or the illegal spam response centre.