New Netflix scam is hitting southern Ontario
Published December 26, 2023 at 4:58 pm
Getting cozy for the holidays to binge-watch your favourite shows and latest movies, but then receive a payment failure message threatening a cutoff?
This may turn a relaxing moment into a stressful one, and it happens to be the latest scam circulating Mississauga, Brampton, and much of southern Ontario.
In this case, the scammer pretends to be the service provider Netflix.
“Your account will be suspended because your payment failed,” the message says. “Please click the link and update your payment information to continue watching.”
After receiving such a message, some may Google the phone number to check its legitimacy. If the numbers don’t match, users may recognize it as a scam; while others who overlook searching online might see it as authentic.
According to the Canadian Anti Fraud Centre (CAFC) this particular scam is known as “phishing.”
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Fraudsters will use various tactics such as email and website name spoofing, while creating a sense of urgency for the victim’s response.
They may offer refunds or money, and make the process seem harmless.
Scammers will request victims to click on links, download attachments, or fill out forms online. They may also provide instructions to scan a QR code.
The CAFC says scammers may impersonate reputable institutions or companies including banks, online subscription services like Netflix or Amazon, businesses, and government departments.
These deceptive messages may falsely claim the need to update your account or suggest that your tax refund is ready— all aimed at tricking you into divulging personal or financial information.
“Sometimes if the links are visited, they can infect your computer with viruses or malware,” the CAFC adds.
Phishing crimes frequently result in identity theft or ransomware. In these instances scammers will demand large sums of money in exchange for granting you access back into your accounts or computer.
Another important warning sign that Netflix explicitly states on its official website is that it will never request personal information through text or email.
Additionally, Netflix advises against sharing your credit/debit card details, passwords, or payments through email/text.
The company emphasizes that they don’t use third-party vendors and do not advise clicking unfamiliar URLs.
Customers who have followed the links and entered personal information, are encouraged to change their Netflix password, update passwords on other sites, and contact their bank if payment details are compromised.
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