Scammers are impersonating streaming giant Netflix to steal bank details and hack into accounts.
Messages are being sent by fraudsters claiming to be from the streaming service that state that there’s been an issue processing the subscription payment.
The messages include a link to “update your details”, which takes you to a fake sign-in page designed to look like the legitimate Netflix website.
Once the information has been entered, scammers are free to exploit the victim’s details and can even sell the account on the dark web.
The website will also ask you to make a payment using a credit or debit card to reactivate your account.
Known as a phishing scam, criminals use specific techniques to give legitimacy to the scheme, including use of realistic text messages and a website mimicking the actual company.
They also create a sense of false urgency through the threat of account suspension, which makes victims more likely to part with their cash.
According to TechRadar, Netflix accounts are particularly vulnerable to phishing attacks because they are not protected with two-factor authentication.
This means that anyone with access to your username and password can sign into your account.
Netflix offers advice to those who may have been scammed, saying: “If you get an email or text message asking for your Netflix account email, phone, password, or payment method it probably didn’t come from Netflix.
“If the text or email links to a URL that you don’t recognize, don’t tap or click it, if you did already, do not enter any information on the website that opened.”
Other advice offered by the platform includes using a password for Netflix that isn’t used anywhere else and making sure to add a phone number to the account for password recovery.
If you believe your Netflix may have been hacked by scammers, you should immediately change your password and sign out of any unrecognised devices.
Any texts or emails that appear suspicious should be forwarded to phishing@netflix.com.
Have you lost money to a scam? Contact National Fraud Helpline. Call 0333 0033218 or fill out our Claim Form.