Netflix users are being warned about a new phishing scam which is allowing hackers to steal victims' bank details.
Users of the streaming platform are being advised to watch out for a stealthy scam that looks almost identical to regular Netflix emails that even the most technology-literate of us could fall for.
Over the weekend, users received an AI-generated email with the subject line 'let's tackle your payment details,' reports The Mirror.
The email then seems like a regular automated response, suggesting there is an issue with the account that has been locked due to a payment problem.
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The nefarious email goes on to say the account will remain blocked until the payment details are updated.
It reads: "Your account is on hold.
"Please update your payment details. We’re having some trouble with your current billing information.
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"We’ll try again, but in the meantime you may want to update your payment details.”
To provoke urgency, there is also reportedly a red banner which reads 'UPDATE ACCOUNT NOW.'
The scammers included typical Netflix branding in the email, including its iconic red color and font - and even contains links to what looks like an official help page.
However, you are barely more than a click away from the crooks being able to harvest your sensitive data, including your bank details or credit card info, home addresses and login passwords.
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Those who have fallen victim to the scam by clicking on the link are sent to an equally convincing-looking webpage.
Here, users are prompted to input username, password, address and card details, all under the guise that doing so will liberate your locked account.
In reality, you will have given hackers the keys to your vital information.
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Some subtle signs that the email is not authentic include the email address it came from, as in this case it came from an iCloud email, and the URL of the website it has linked.
Official Netflix emails come from addresses ending in netflix.com.
The streaming service also said it rarely sends such messages to users, as a spokesperson told the news outlet: "If you get an email or text message (SMS) asking for your Netflix account email, phone, password, or payment method it probably didn't come from Netflix."
Netflix says it will never ask for personal information in a text or an email - and if you do fall victim to cybercriminals' trickery, you must change your Netflix password (via the official website or app) and inform your bank.
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Jake Moore, Global Cybersecurity Advisor at cybersecurity firm ESET, also told Daily Mail that malicious and persuasive email campaigns have only grown with the help of artificial intelligence.
He said: "AI technology has now enabled criminal gangs to generate phishing campaigns at speed and to more email addresses than ever.
"Cybercriminals have been taking advantage of AI to target email addresses in huge numbers and they are also able to make authentic-looking login pages with ease to deceive users into divulging personal information or account credentials."
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Another warning sign to look out for is if the email is making demands that appear urgent.
Moore continued: "Like traditional phishing attacks, however, these scams will often still attempt to create a sense of urgency, prompting recipients to act quickly without verifying the true sender’s origin or even without thinking at all.”
He said another way to check if the email is legitimate is to log into your account via the app.
Topics: Film and TV, Money, Netflix, Technology, US News, World News
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