Password managers are a simple, low-cost and secure way to manage multiple logins. If you're using the same password to log into multiple accounts, then it only takes one account to be compromised and they're all at risk. This includes: Credit or debit card numbers Bank account details Netflix passwords” – Netflix scam guidance Don't re-use the same passwords “We will never ask for your personal information by texts or email. Most companies warn you against doing so.
Don't update billing informationĪbove all, never update your financial details or billing information after being prompted to do so by an unsolicited email. If you see an unusual attachment in an email you're not expecting, never click to open it. Avoid attachmentsĪttachments are a crafty way of disguising malware and spreading threats. If you want to check your account information, open a new window or tab and navigate to the real website independently of the links in the email. If you aren't sure whether you're dealing with a genuine message or not, hover over the links to reveal the true destination address. To avoid risk, don't click on any of the links in a potential scam email. Or, you can forward the emails to the appropriate accounts for the genuine services being impersonated (for example, If you're encountering scam emails on a work email account, inform your IT administrator promptly. You can usually do this via using the exclamation mark icon, or similar, for flagging spam emails. If you're feeling like a good digital citizen, you can report them first.
It doesn't get much simpler than deleting obvious scam emails. A few simple approaches can keep you safe. Scam emails are part and parcel of online life, and while email filtering continues to improve, it's tricky for Gmail, Outlook and others to stay ahead of every threat. What should you do if you receive scam emails? All the links on the landing page – including ones which appear to be for adjusting your Netflix profile settings – circle you back to the same form to enter your details. This would be handing the most sensitive data possible over to a scammer. If you can still proceed, it's a scam for sure.Īfter we entered our phoney login details, we were encouraged to update our billing details. If you're ever in doubt about whether you've landed on a scam phishing page, a simple trick is to enter a completely made up email and password, as we did, below. But, given how many of us are guilty of re-using the same old passwords again and again (please, use a password manager instead), it wouldn't take much to use these details to attempt to log into more sensitive accounts. For Netflix, that may not seem to matter much.
If you were to type in your genuine credentials, a scammer would have all they need to lift your account details and take advantage of your personal information. It asks you to log in with your email address and password. The link from the Netflix scam email takes you to a landing page that looks very similar to the real thing. Under controlled conditions, we clicked, so you don't have to. Easily avoidable security mistakes are costing companies big time during this remote working lockdown period, after all. What Happens if You Click on the Netflix Scam?įirst of all – don't try this one at home, and especially not if you're currently using a work computer that accesses your company's network and data.