A number of Netflix customers reportedly received an email asking for their personal information to be updated due to an “error” in their account recently.
According to The Irish Sun, it read: “Dear customer, during the regular maintenance and verification processes, we have detected an error in your account.
“If your account information is not updated within 24 hours, your ability to access your account will be restricted.”
In response, Netflix has insisted it will “never ask for any personal information in an email” and iterated customers should ignore such a message if they receive it.
The streaming service said: “Phishing scams are, unfortunately, very common and often exploit well-known brands.
“Internet users should always be cautious when they receive an email request any personal information or credit card details.
“Phishing is an attempt to acquire your personal information by pretending to represent a website or company you trust online.
“Phishers will go to great lengths to try to hijack your account or steal your personal information.”
Netflix also told The Irish Sun that those phishing can create “fake websites” that bear an incredibly similar resemblance to the service’s online page in order to trick users.
The company went on: “They may create fake websites that look like Netflix, or send official-looking (but fake) emails asking you for personal information.
“Netflix will never ask for any personal information in an email.
“This includes: Payment information (credit card number, debit card number, direct debit account, PIN, etc.).
“Social security number or tax identification number. Your account password.”
Netflix was also eager to give customers a few pointers as to how to detect a phishing scam.
The service advised customers to hover over a link in an email to see where it will take users for instance.
The firm also told The Irish Sun: “Be careful if you receive an email message asking you for this or any other personal information.
“If you’re unsure about a link in an email, you can always hover over the link to see where it goes (you’ll see the real, linked web address at the bottom of most browsers).”
Jake Moore, a cyber security expert for internet security firm ESET, also discussed a number of “telltale signs” that suggest an email is a scam.
He remarked: “Telltale signs still lie in the fact they say ‘Dear customer’ to start the email rather than your name and they attempt to instil fear threatening restricted access to the account.
“Social engineering techniques use the principles of persuasion such as fear to entice people to do what they are told which has a far greater click rate.
“Netflix, and other companies used by hackers, will not kill your account without going through far more personal details with you and won’t ever use threatening communication. It is always worth ringing a number found on the genuine website to speak with customer service if you are ever doubtful of any correspondence.”
The Netflix scam appears to be limited to customers in Ireland – this outlet has not seen any reports of it affecting those in the UK.
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