Netflix suspension scam targets your inbox

FBI urges holiday shoppers to beware of online scammers Kurt 'The CyberGuy' Knutsson breaks down the 'perfect storm' for scammers to prey on Americans and how to protect yourself. He also discusses OpenAI CEO Sam Altman's potential space aspirations. Holiday phishing attempts surge every year, and scammers know people juggle subscriptions, gifts and billing changes. That makes a fake alert feel real for a split second. Stacey P. emailed to tell us that he received one of these messages and wrote: "I thought I should forward this message to you that I received today that was ostensibly from Netflix. Without clicking on any links, I called Netflix and they advised me that my account is in good standing. They asked me to forward this to them." Stacey's experience shows how convincing these emails can appear and why taking a moment to verify can make all the difference. These Netflix suspension emails look polished at first glance. When you look closer, however, the warning signs jump out. Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide - free when you join my CYBERGUY.COM newsletter. HOLIDAY DELIVERIES AND FAKE TRACKING TEXTS: HOW SCAMMERS TRACK YOU Holiday phishing scams spike as fake Netflix suspension emails exploit seasonal billing confusion and urgency. (Zeng Hui/Xinhua via Getty Images) Why scammers use this approach People expect billing reminders during the holidays. When you see a familiar logo during a busy day, your guard drops for a moment. Scammers build templates that look clean, simple, and trustworthy because it increases their odds of success. Red flags inside the fake Netflix message The Netflix scam email attempts to mimic Netflix's branding, but several details reveal it is fraudulent. Spelling and grammar issues The email includes mistakes real companies would never send. It uses valldate instead of validate , Communicication instead of communication and even writes "sent to yo" with the u missing from you . Errors like these are major signs of a scam. Strange tone and pressure tactics The message claims your billing info failed and says your membership will be suspended within 48 hours unless you act. Criminals rely on urgency because it stops people from thinking clearly. Fake login buttons The bold red Restart Membership button aims to lure you into entering your credentials on a phishing page. Once you type your password and payment details, you hand them over to attackers. Generic greeting The message uses Dear User instead of your name. Netflix includes your account name in official communications. Suspicious footer and address The footer contains off wording about inbox preferences and a Scottsdale address not tied to Netflix. Real subscription providers use consistent company details. FACEBOOK SETTLEMENT SCAM EMAILS TO AVOID NOW A reader narrowly avoided a Netflix phishing scam by calling the company instead of clicking the email link. (Photo by Luis Boza/NurPhoto via Getty Images)...

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