A new scam targeting Netflix users has been making the rounds lately. Users are receiving an SMS saying “Your account has been suspended due to payment issues”. Although this message appears to be from Netflix, it is actually part of a phishing attack. So, which method do the scammers use? What should you do to avoid being scammed? Details are in our news…

How to avoid scams and dark web threats targeting Netflix accounts?

First, let’s talk about how scammers lure users into a trap. The scammers send SMS to users under the name of Netflix and ask them to click on a link in the SMS. In the first step, victims are redirected to a fake Netflix page and asked for login details. After stealing user credentials, the attackers target the victim’s payment methods in the second step.

At this stage, victims are told to reactivate the account by entering their credit card details. As a result, not only account information, but also financial information falls into the hands of fraudsters. The stolen Netflix account information is often offered for sale on the dark web.

According to Bitdefender’s research, such markets on the dark web sell not only Netflix but also account information for many other platforms. The stolen information can be sold for a few dollars, while accounts offered in larger packages can fetch more expensive prices.

For those of us who don’t know what the dark web is, we can briefly call it the dark side of the internet. Unlike the internet we normally use, we can define it as a platform where illegal products such as fake identities, fake money and even weapons are traded. Because the dark business going on here cannot be tracked by security forces.

So how do you protect yourself?

• Check the links: Before clicking on links provided in messages or emails, check the URL carefully. Avoid links that don’t match the real Netflix address.
• Contact Netflix directly: In doubtful cases, contact Netflix’s official support line and verify the authenticity of the message. If you have even the slightest doubt, stop clicking on the link. Because, rest assured, it’s not worth the risk.
• Don’t share personal information: Be careful when sharing personal or financial information online.