Banks Announce Suspension of '2 Services', Post Offices Also Affected! Air Defense Drill in 7 Counties/Cities Today — Timings for Transfers, Payments, Mobile Payments, Network Slowdown, Convenience Stores, and Retail Controls

The 2026 Han Kuang Exercise (Urban Resilience Air Defense Drill) will take place from August 7 to August 13, with special 'mobile network slowdown drills' added on August 10 and August 13 from 2:30 PM to 3:00 PM. The 2026 Urban Resilience Drill for the 'Northern Region' will officially commence tomorrow, Thursday, August 13, from 2:30 PM to 3:00 PM. Seven counties and cities—Keelung, Taipei, New Taipei, Taoyuan, Hsinchu, and Yilan—will simultaneously conduct a 30-minute air defense drill.

In response, Chunghwa Post has announced that all post office systems will remain operational during the drill. However, users attempting to access EZPost form submissions, mail tracking, i-Postbox services, or conduct financial transfers and life insurance transactions via mobile networks may experience connection delays or failures due to reduced network speeds. The public is advised to use fixed Wi-Fi, wired networks, or visit service counters in person.

2026 Urban Resilience Air Defense Drill: Impacts on Postal, Financial, and Insurance Services on August 13 and Official Countermeasures

Chunghwa Post emphasized that the network slowdown during the drill only affects 'mobile network' connections, while all postal systems continue to operate normally. Official guidance for different services is as follows:

- Postal Services: Online applications via the post office website, registered mail tracking, EZPost waybill entry, i-Postbox information — Use fixed Wi-Fi or wired networks - Savings & Remittance: Mobile Post Office App transfers, payments, tax payments, account-linked payments, and real-time verification — Switch to fixed Wi-Fi; avoid repeated clicks; confirm transactions after the drill - Insurance Services: Online insurance applications and policy services, digital insurance applications — Urgent cases should use in-person counter services with paper forms or use wired network connections - Real-time Notifications: Push notifications via the Mobile Post Office App, instant transaction SMS alerts — May be delayed or fail during the drill; check account after the drill ends

Financial Transaction Advisory: 'Do Not Repeat Actions' During Lag

Chunghwa Post strongly warns that if mobile network users experience slow loading or frozen screens during financial transactions (e.g., transfers, payments, online payments), they must not repeatedly click or resend transactions to avoid duplicate deductions. Users should always confirm transaction results and save screenshots to protect their financial rights.

For any postal service inquiries during the drill, information is available on Chunghwa Post’s official website, the Mobile Post Office App, and customer service hotline voice prompts. Direct inquiries to the customer service center are also available.

2026 Urban Resilience Air Defense Drill: Which Banks Cannot Process Transfers?

During the air defense drill, all banks across Taiwan will likely face failed or disrupted 'mobile internet banking' and 'electronic payment' transfers if users rely on mobile networks (4G/5G).

This year’s drill (2026 Urban Resilience Exercise) marks the first nationwide implementation of a 'mobile network slowdown drill.' All financial institutions in Taiwan—including Chunghwa Post, Bank of Taiwan, Land Bank of Taiwan, First Commercial Bank, Cooperative Bank, Taishin Bank, CTBC Bank, and Bank SinoPac—may be unable to process real-time online app financial transactions requiring network verification between 2:30 PM and 3:00 PM due to significantly reduced mobile network speeds.

Taishin Bank Issues Warning: App May Freeze for '30 Minutes' on These 2 Days

In preparation for the '2026 Urban Resilience (Air Defense) Drill,' during which mobile network slowdowns will be implemented in certain counties, Taishin Bank has issued an important notice: On August 10 (Monday) and August 13 (Thursday) from 2:30 PM to 3:00 PM, customers in restricted areas using mobile networks to access internet banking, apps, or mobile payments may experience slow connections or service unavailability. Additionally, some MID identity verification services will be suspended.

Restricted Times and Areas

Taishin Bank has listed the affected areas and times as follows (subject to official government announcements):

- Central 7 Counties/Cities (August 10, 2:30 PM - 3:00 PM): Miaoli County, Taichung City, Changhua County, Nantou County, Yunlin County, Chiayi County, Chiayi City - Northern 7 Counties/Cities (August 13, 2:30 PM - 3:00 PM): Taipei City, New Taipei City, Keelung City, Taoyuan City, Hsinchu County, Hsinchu City, Yilan County

Services Suspended and Affected Digital Channels

During the above 30-minute restricted periods, the following services will be suspended or affected:

- Affected Digital Channels: Taishin official website, internet banking, mobile banking, online ATM, Richart App, Richart Life App (including Taishin Pay), Taishin Pay+ (overseas payments), payment center, payment website, eDDA verification, smart/text customer service — Switch to indoor Wi-Fi or fixed broadband (do not use personal hotspots), or use PC versions - Suspended MID Verification Services: 1. MID device binding for Mobile Banking, Richart App, and Richart Life App 2. MID verification for 'online reset of internet banking code/password' and 'apply for internet banking membership' on the official website Users should complete device binding or password resets before the drill, as MID verification will be unavailable during the exercise.

How to Make Payments or Transfers During the Drill? Taishin Bank’s 5 Key Transaction Tips

- Complete Important Transactions in Advance: Transfers, payments, foreign exchange, fund investments, and 'Taishin Pay+ (overseas payments)' registration should be completed before the drill period. - Use Fixed Network Connections: If mobile networks are slow, switch to indoor Wi-Fi or wired broadband (note: do not use personal hotspots) to ensure smooth app or web transactions. - Use Customer Service for Urgent Needs: For time-sensitive transfers or payments, use voice password to call the customer service hotline (02) 2655-3355 for automated or agent-assisted support. For investment orders, use fixed networks to avoid losses from connection issues. - Check Status, Do Not Click Repeatedly: If delays or frozen screens occur, check transaction history first to confirm success before resubmitting. Repeated submissions may cause duplicate transfers or charges. - Keep Transaction Records: Save screenshots of successful transactions, transaction IDs, or receipts for future reference and reconciliation.

August 13 Northern Drill: First-Ever 'Mobile Network Slowdown' — Impact on Convenience Stores and Retail Payments and Survival Guide

This year marks the first simultaneous 'mobile network slowdown drill.' While phone calls, SMS, and emergency alerts (CBS) will remain functional, mobile payments, video streaming, and app connectivity will be severely limited. Major convenience stores, PX Mart, E-Mart, and Wan Chia Fu have issued notices regarding checkout and operational changes during the drill.

- 7-ELEVEN: OPENPOINT App will operate normally, but mobile network slowdown may affect service experience — Avoid critical operations during drill hours - FamilyMart: Using 4G/5G to access FamilyMart App or My FamiPort App may temporarily affect mobile payments and 'Buy & Pick Up Elsewhere' — 1. Switch to in-store Wi-Fi, 2. Use cash or physical cards, 3. Redeem 'Buy & Pick Up Elsewhere' via FamiPort kiosk, 4. Provide last 3 digits of phone number for pickup - Hi-Life: Non-cash payments like credit cards, e-tickets, and mobile payments may time out or fail — Cash payments are recommended during drill - OKmart: App operates normally but service experience may be affected; non-cash payments may time out — Avoid critical operations, prefer cash - PX Mart: Electronic payments (PX Pay, Quan Pay, Taiwan Pay) suspended in specific stores — Use cash, physical credit cards, physical EasyCards, or iPASS - E-Mart: Happy Go Pay and other electronic payments suspended in specific stores — Use cash, physical credit cards, physical EasyCards - Wan Chia Fu (including Lejia Kang): In compliance with the Civil Defense Mobilization Act, customers and staff must participate in evacuation — Indoor and outdoor operations suspended during drill

How to Pay During the Air Defense Drill?

- Prepare Physical Payment Methods: During the 30-minute drill, mobile payments (PX Pay, Quan Pay, Happy Go Pay, etc.) may time out due to network slowdown. Carry cash, physical credit cards, or physical e-tickets - Use Store Wi-Fi or Kiosks: If using specific app functions or redeeming items at convenience stores, try switching to in-store Wi-Fi or using kiosks like FamiPort