Stay Safe Online: Netflix Warns Users of SMS Scams and Provides Tips for Avoiding Fraud

Netflix is in a very complex situation. After announcing that it will end shared accounts, thousands of users are unsubscribing from the streaming service, and although it seems that this has not changed the platform’s plans, it is causing third parties to take advantage of the situation.

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Those who are helping themselves the most in this delicate moment for Netflix are scammers. As reported by the OCU (the Organization of Consumers and Users), a smishing campaign is being carried out —phishing via SMS— that can affect many users. We explain how to avoid falling into the trap.

How to avoid a smishing scam

Basically, what is happening is that many Netflix users are receiving messages via SMS in which they say that your account has been suspended or there has been some incident with it. The message is accompanied by a link that directs you to a page where you must log in.

However, this page is a scam. If you fill in your login details, the scammer will have access to your account and password, and with it they can do whatever they want: from suspending your account or reselling it to third parties, to accessing other accounts or even your bank details.

To avoid this, it is as easy as remembering that, as Netflix itself explains on its support page, they will never send you an SMS asking for your password, bank account information or credit cards. You can only use your number for two-step verification.

Although it is a classic scam that has been done for a long time through all kinds of accounts and websites, it is important to be more alert than ever these days. Taking advantage of the fact that there are so many Netflix casualties, that is when they can attack the most. Beware!