Millions of Netflix users warned of ‘red alert’ scam that could wipe your bank account as customers told ‘don’t click’
NETFLIX users in the UK may be at risk of an online scam that could drain their bank accounts.
The fraudulent scheme tries to trick people into handing over their personal details, including logins and banking information.
According to the Mirror, a fake email is doing the rounds informing people that their Netflix account is “on hold”.
The scam explains that this supposed pause is a result of a payment issue.
It then prompts the receiver to input their data to restart their account.
The technology team at the Mirror used fake information to investigate the cyber scam.
At first, they were prompted to “retry or update payment” to resolve the issue.
“We still can’t process your payment,” the error message on the email reads.
“Make sure your payment method has enough balance and isn’t expired, then retry your payment so you can get back to enjoying Netflix.”
A red box then urges you to “Update Payment Method”.
After reporters entered a fake name and email address, they clicked the login button.
They were then taken to a payment screen and prompted to enter their credit card details.
At this point, a message will inform you that you need to fill in the form to unlock your Netflix account.
Filling out this information would give scammers access to your Netflix account as well as your bank account.
Worryingly, the email has been described as looking “authentic” and even features the Netflix logo and convincing looking login page.
If you receive a similar message, refrain from filling out any of your information.
Instead, contact Netflix customer service directly on their website.
How to protect yourself from scams
BY keeping these tips in mind, you can avoid getting caught up in a scam:
- Firstly, remember that if something seems too good to be true, it normally is.
- Check brands are “verified” on Facebook and Twitter pages – this means the company will have a blue tick on its profile.
- Look for grammatical and spelling errors; fraudsters are notoriously bad at writing proper English. If you receive a message from a “friend” informing you of a freebie, consider whether it’s written in your friend’s normal style.
- If you’re invited to click on a URL, hover over the link to see the address it will take you to – does it look genuine?
- To be on the really safe side, don’t click on unsolicited links in messages, even if they appear to come from a trusted contact.
- Be careful when opening email attachments too. Fraudsters are increasingly attaching files, usually PDFs or spreadsheets, which contain dangerous malware.
- If you receive a suspicious message then report it to the company, block the sender and delete it.
- If you think you’ve fallen for a scam, report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or use its online fraud reporting tool.
“If you receive an email or text message from what appears to be Netflix asking for your account email, phone number, password, or payment details, it’s highly likely a scam,” the streaming service said.
“Netflix will never ask for this information via such channels.”
The online platform recommends reporting any suspicious emails or texts.
You should also change your password if you suspect your account is at risk, as well as contact your bank to report your concerns.
If you receive any messages relating to your Netflix account, verify the information directly on the Netflix website or app.
The Sun has reached out to Netflix for comment.