A new scam has been discovered reportedly offering a year’s free Netflix subscription in order to hijack bank account details.
The scam is circulated via email and contains a link leading to a professional-looking page requiring the visitor to input their name and bank details.
Supposedly, it will enter the person into a competition to win 12 months of free Netflix, but instead it simply harvests personal data to try and access bank accounts.
First detected in South Lanarkshire, Scotland, local officials have warned internet users to be vigilant about the scam.
If you come across it, ignore the email and report it to Action Fraud.
Known as ‘phishing’, these official-looking emails take advantage of people who may believe they’re genuine.
Netflix specifically explains about phishing attacks on its website.
‘We will never ask for your personal information by texts or email,’ the streaming company says.
‘This includes: Credit or debit card numbers, Bank account details, Netflix passwords.
‘We will never request payment through a 3rd party vendor or website.
‘If you receive a text or email requesting any of the above, it is not from Netflix.’
Sadly, this kind of scam isn’t just limited to Netflix or email. Earlier this month we became aware of a similar hoax circulating via phone regarding Amazon’s paid-for Prime service.
The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) picked up on the scam and warns that people are being contacted with emails and phone calls claiming they have opened an Amazon Prime account when they haven’t.
The scammers then inform the recipient that the account was opened fraudulently through a security flaw on their computer and, posing as Amazon customer service representatives, ask to be given remote access to a user’s computer to fix the breach – enabling them to then steal personal information including passwords and bank details.
One email version of the scam also claims the recipient has started an Amazon Music subscription for £28.99 a month and tells them to click a link and enter their bank card details in order to receive a refund, but their details are instead sent straight to the scammers.
As always, if you are unsure of anyone asking for access to your information – refuse to give it to them, hang up and contact the company directly yourself to address your concerns.
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