How does Netflix fight Phishing?

Netflix boasts more than 44 million subscribers in 41 countries. With a service so popular and widespread, it’s no wonder the company has been targeted with phishing scams. The good news is security is now better than ever, and Netflix works diligently to block current scams and prevent new ones from occurring. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) recently released a warning to the public addressing a phishing scam that some unfortunate users have already fallen victim to.

What is it?

When you try to log into your Netflix account, a red screen with the Netflix logo will appear. To the right there will be a notice that your account has been temporarily suspended due to “unusual activity,” and your next step is to contact “Member Services” at the number provided. The notice even has an error code to give to the service member answering your call—but this person isn’t an affiliate of Netflix as the notice would have you believe. The number leads to a foreign country, where scammers on the other line will pose as Netflix support members to “help” with your problem.

The scammer will then walk you through the process of downloading “Netflix support software,” which is actually remote login software that gives unauthorized users access to your entire device. This leaves you vulnerable to identity theft, credit card fraud, and general misuse of your personal information.

How can I avoid it?

Simply being aware of the scam puts you ahead of the security game, but scammers are often more clever than you think. Although the scam above might seem obvious in retrospect, it actually doesn’t set off very many phishing red flags. Besides maintaining awareness about new scams and the risk of scams, the best thing you can do is tighten your personal security. Download your own virus scanner and basic security system to stay on top of the major problems, and have a back-up ready just in case.

Services like LifeLock offer excellent resources for safeguarding your most personal information. It offers 24/7 scans of potential security threats, alerts you of suspicious behavior, and quickly restores any damage done.

What else is out there?

Although it’s a popular target for scammers, Netflix certainly isn’t the only platform they’ll go through. The traditional methods of pop-ups and unsolicited emails are widespread and growing increasingly sophisticated. If any email — even if it seems to come from a trusted party — asks you to send out personal information regarding your account online, it is likely a scam.

If you’re asked to give information over the phone, take a minute to double-check the authenticity of the service member by contacting BBB for verification. If you have even the slightest indication that you might be caught in a scam, seek advice from authoritative information services. For example, if you were to receive the Netflix email with the customer service number, you could search the company’s official website for a customer contact number and wait to be directed to the appropriate department, assuming the request is legitimate.

Fishing without a Net’Flix

BTM Guest Writer: Sammie Moreland / Sammie was a victim of identity theft five years ago. After that ordeal she has spread the word about staying safe in the cyber world.