Netflix warning over ‘sophisticated’ scam that can steal your account – and rinse your bank
NETFLIX users are being warned over a dangerous hoax email that hackers are using to steal people's accounts.
The scam tells you your account has been suspended and encourages you to click a dodgy link to a phishing page that swipes your personal information.
"We’ve temporarily suspeneded [sic] your account due to some issues in the automatic verification process," the email reads.
"We will provide you with all the steps you need to unlock your account. Please follow these instructions after you click on the link below."
Following the "update your details" link takes you to a fake Netflix login page, designed to trick you into handing over your username and password.
Hackers can use this information for identity theft, or to nick your cash using your bank card details.
Email security service MailGuard uncovered the scam after spotting “several red flags” hidden among the sophisticated email and phishing page.
“There are several grammatical and spelling errors within the body, such as the bolded ‘suspeneded’,” the company said in a statement.
“Spacing errors are also present throughout the email.”
Anyone who receives the scam message should delete it from their inbox immediately.
How to spot a fake email
IF you've received an email or text message claiming to be from your bank or a retailer, then these are the things you should look out for:
- Your bank or the retailer will always address a customer by name
- They will never ask a customer for their PIN, password or full memorable information
- The bank would never ask a customer to click on a link in an email or text message that takes you to a page which asks you for your username, password or any other information
- They would never ask a customer to email or text them PINs, card details or passwords
- Customers should not click on any links in emails if they have concerns
- Customers are encouraged to call their bank if they have any concerns about an email they have received
Netflix said its popularity makes its users an obvious target for phishing scams.
"We take the security of our members' accounts seriously and Netflix employs numerous proactive measures to detect fraudulent activity to keep the Netflix service and our members' accounts secure," a spokesperson said.
"Unfortunately, scams are common on the internet and target popular brands such as Netflix and other companies with large customer bases to lure users into giving out personal information.
"Members who want to learn more about how to keep their personal information safe against phishing scams and other malicious activity can go to netflix.com/security or contact Customer Service directly."
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Netflix scam emails have done the rounds before, with another nasty phishing scheme hitting inboxes in September.
To help people avoid scam emails, Google released a phishing quiz last week that grills your ability to spot devious online scams.
For our ultimate guide on phishing emails and how to avoid them, click here.
Have you been a victim of a phishing scam? Let us know in the comments!
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