Series and movies on the streaming platform Netflix promise hours of binge pleasure. Unfortunately, it also attracts fraudsters. What you need to know.
Berlin – Series junkies and cineastes enjoy the multitude of offers provided by the popular streaming provider Netflix all year round. Series marathons and long film nights are often completed.
Most recently, the streaming giant caused a lot of excitement and angry Netflix customers. For years, Netflix tolerated password sharing between users. Now he has tightened the rules and is taking action against widespread account sharing in Germany. Accordingly, from now on, the following applies: one household, one Netflix account. As a result, customers now have to pay for so-called additional members. By abolishing the loophole, Netflix hopes to generate higher revenues.
But now many users are getting another piece of bad news – which, however, does not come from Netflix itself, but requires quick action.
New scam: Phishing scammers want to get your personal data. © Waldmüller/imago/Symbolbild
Netflix warns of phishing emails or suspicious text messages
As the consumer advice center reports, many customers are currently receiving the message (with the subject "Update your information") that their streaming service use is not possible or restricted. However, as Netflix warns on its website, it is not a message from the company, but from scammers.
In the so-called phishing e-mails, users are asked to update their data via an attached button under the pretext that alleged billing problems are the cause of the limited use. But that should ring all the alarm bells. Because: via a link, fraudsters try to get the confidential data of their victims.
As the web portal netzwelt.de informs, phishing on the Internet is used to collect real user data. With the data obtained, cyber criminals can also address future phishing attacks in a more targeted manner. According to the portal, phishing scammers like to pretend to be streaming providers in order to obtain bank details and credit card data.
Beware of scams: How to protect yourself from phishing scammers
According to the consumer advice center, a film recommendation can be an indicator that it may be a scam. At first glance, this makes it seem more serious, but on closer inspection you can see that the supposed recommendation was written in another language.
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Tips on how to spot suspicious emails or text messages and protect your account are summarized below:
- Netflix will never ask you to send personal information via text message or email. This includes credit or debit card numbers, bank account details, and Netflix passwords. Similarly, payments are never requested through a third-party vendor or website.
- Don't click on a URL that you don't know. If you do, don't type in any information.
- Scammers can only get information if you give it to them. Therefore, do not click on links in the messages and do not reply to such messages.
- If you receive any suspicious emails or text messages, forward them to phising@netflix.com.
- Once you've clicked on the link and submitted your details, change your Netflix password immediately. Update your password for all websites and apps for which you've used the same email address and password combination.
- Contact your financial institution if you have entered any payment information. Your account may be at risk.
- Check the sender's address for authenticity. (Source: Netflix)
Again and again, the consumer advice center warns against brazen scams. False e-mails were even sent in the name of the Federal Police. (Vivian Werg)