ACCC ScamWatch warns over phishing scam impersonating Netflix

Think twice about clicking on any emails you’ve received from “Netflix” asking for you to update your payment details.

Australians are being warned not to fall for a phishing scam where cyber criminals send emails impersonating Netflix to trick people into sharing their credit card information.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s ScamWatch division issued a warning on Friday.

“Be careful of emails asking you to click on a link to update your account. Don’t click on the link, if unsure go directly to the website to check your account,” ScamWatch shared on Twitter.

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Fresh warnings of Netflix phishing scams. Be careful of emails asking you to click on a link to update your account. Don’t click on the link, if unsure go directly to the website to check your account. pic.twitter.com/pqrbXf0Gzb

— Scamwatch_gov_au (@Scamwatch_gov) October 30, 2020

“We’re having trouble with your current billing informations,” the scam email reads, with the spelling mistake giving away the first clue it’s not the genuine article.

“You may want to update your payment details,” the scammers continued, signing off the email as “your friends at Nex”.

Scam emails often feature spelling mistakes and grammatical errors.

The letter posted by the ACCC is also addressed to “Hi Dear”, whereas the real Netflix would use your actual name.

ScamWatch has warned about a phishing scam impersonating Netflix.

“Phishing messages are designed to look genuine and often copy the format used by the organisation the scammer is pretending to represent,” ScamWatch said.

“If you provide the scammer with your details online or over the phone, they will use them to carry out fraudulent activities, such as using your credit cards and stealing your money.”