Scammers are targeting folks who use the popular Netflix streaming service with a phishing scam. In case you aren’t familiar with the term, a phishing scam is when crooks send messages that appear to be from reputable companies or government agencies to trick you into giving them personal info like your social security number, credit card number, or account passwords.
First brought to light by security experts Mailguard, the email warns that your Netflix account will be suspended because the company is unable to verify your billing information. Like most scams of this kind, it tells users they only have a limited amount of time to respond. In this case, 48 hours.
If you clicked on the Restart Membership links, you’d be taken to a fake Netflix site that asks you to log in to your Netflix account.
It will then ask for your credit card information as well as your address, mother’s maiden name, and driver’s license information. With this information, it would be very easy for these scammers to steal your identity and open accounts in your name.
They did a pretty good job executing the look of the site. When you’re finished entering your info, you even get a screen saying your membership has been reactivated.
If you receive an email like this and worry there might actually be an issue with your account, here’s what to do:
Don’t click on any links in the email. Open up a browser and go to Netflix.com. Then sign in and look at your account. If there’s a problem it will be noted there. Or contact Netflix customer service. But not by clicking on any links in that email.
As always, think before you click.