How to Keep Yourself Safe From Netflix Phishing Scams

Netflix is a highly popular streaming service that offers access to plenty of top TV shows and movies. Despite Netflix accounts being password-protected, scammers are still able to defraud some users. Employing a mix of social engineering techniques like phishing and false urgency, Netflix scammers may trick users into clicking links that take them to fake websites that steal their account information.

Let’s take a look at how Netflix phishing scams work and how to avoid them.

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How Do Netflix Phishing Scams Work?

There are several different Netflix scams, but the most common are very similar in that they work by creating a sense of urgency. Some may “inform” the user, by text or email, that they’ve missed a payment and they have to pay “right now” or lose access to their account. The email/SMS may threaten that they’ll lose their viewing history, or utilize other ways to generate fear.

Another common Netflix scam is an offer of a prize for sharing views or opinions, after giving some account information. The prize will usually be a gift card that, of course, never materializes.

The link in the email/SMS offering the prize takes the user to a site that looks a lot like Netflix, but is a fake. The person will enter their Netflix credentials into the fake site, and the criminal now has full access to the associated Netflix account.

The scammer can steal all the personal information in the Netflix account, which can aid with identity theft and accessing other accounts.

Spotting Netflix Phishing Scams

Netflix doesn’t offer gift cards as an incentive for filling out surveys. And while Netflix may contact you about a billing issue, verify any payment problems by signing in directly through the official website or app, not by clicking links in messages. If you’re worried you’ve missed a payment, you can simply log in to your account via the app and check.

Netflix confirms on its help pages that it will never ask for personal information such as:

Passwords
Credit and debit card details
Bank details

The streaming service will also never ask you to make a payment via a third-party app or website. For example, if an email sends you to a banking app or PayPal to make a payment, it’s immediately suspicious, as Netflix processes all payments via its own site.

Suspicious-looking weblinks (URLs) should be avoided. Netflix.com is the official site, and while there are several regional variants, if you’re unsure, don’t enter any personal information and immediately close the browser window.

Protect Yourself From Netflix Scams

Netflix and other streaming services will always be vulnerable to scammers thanks to their huge audiences. You can stay safe by ignoring and deleting spam or phishing emails, and only ever accessing your Netflix account via the official apps or website. If an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is. And remember, Netflix won’t offer you gift cards or other incentives to click on a link.

For more advice on using streaming services safely, sign up for Scam Detector’s Scam Alerts. You’ll receive regular updates, straight into your inbox, about what scams you should be looking out for when using your favorite apps and services.

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