You should know by now not to give away your precious bank details away on this here internet, willy-nilly. Like, if you get an email from someone asking for your card number, probably don’t reply to it, just a tip.
It’s the first thing we learn about internet security, isn’t it? If it looks a bit suspect, then print off the email and put it in the bin. It’s nice holding onto your hard-earned moolah, I’ve always found.
But what if you get an email from your best mate? That really good friend of yours who always has the best recommendations on great TV and film to watch? Your top bud? Your one and only? You know, Netflix? What if Netflix sends you an email asking for your bank deets? Well, you send them on, don’t you? Nothing suspicious here.
NO YOU DON’T. You don’t, because it’s not Good Guy Netflix that’s sending you this email, it’s some shyster in a dingy bedroom somewhere, trying to grab all your loot. If an email drops into your inbox that looks mighty like the one below, then burn that thing immediately.
“Your friends at Netflix” - good one. It’s a very convincing request - and for those who do actually cough up their info, you’ll even be directed to an official Netflix page afterwards. But just check out that weird, spooky looking email address up there - loads of letters and numbers all jumbled up - there’s your tell-tale sign that something’s off.
Netflix have said about the scam:
“If you suspect you have received a fraudulent email or text message that appears to be from Netflix, follow these tips to keep your information safe and secure, and follow the steps below to report the message.
“Never enter your login or financial details after following a link in an email or text message.
“Never click on any links or open any attachments in an email or text message you received unexpectedly, regardless of the source.
“If you suspect an email or text message is not from Netflix, do not reply to it.”
The lovely people at Netflix would never do this to you - if something feels weird about it, exercise that caution of yours and ignore it. Because if your payment actually has been declined, then, well, you won’t be able to access Netflix, will you? Keep your eye on those precious bank details - you need them to buy important things like crisps! Imagine a life without crisps!
(Image: Kari Shea/Mailguard.com)