FTC: Beware of Netflix Email Scam

The Federal Trade Commission has issued a scam alert that concerns Netflix users.

According to a FTC blog post Wednesday, authorities have identified a phishing email that requests customers’ updated payment details. The bogus email features the Netflix logo and states the company is “having some trouble with your current billing information”. It then invites users to click on a link, which takes them to a page where they can provide their current payment methods.

Law enforcement agencies shared a screenshot of the email on social media.

“We take the security of our members’ accounts seriously and Netflix employs numerous proactive measures to detect fraudulent activity to keep the Netflix service and our members’ accounts secure,” a Netflix spokesperson told Variety. “Unfortunately, scams are common on the internet and target popular brands such as Netflix and other companies with large customer bases to lure users into giving out personal information.”

The FTC advises consumers to keep their eyes peeled for suspicious emails. For example, this Netflix scam used the British spelling of center (centre) as well as an unusual salutation (Hi Dear). If you’ve received an email you suspect of being a scam, you can contact Netflix’s customer service department directly.

The FTC also encourages consumers to report any suspicious emails to spam@uce.gov and to reportphishing@apwg.org. You can also report suspected phishing scams at ftc.gov/complaint.