From time to time an email scam or other hoax comes across my desk that I think is worth sharing. I recently got an email that offers a very good example of how to spot and handle these things so I thought I’d pass it along. The email (reproduced below) appeared to be from Netflix. I love Netflix and this email said that my account had been cancelled. On the surface the email looked just like the emails that Netflix sends but the classic warning flags were there.
I saw 4 red flags and I’ve listed them below. If you know of more clues for how to spot an email scam, please share them in the comments section of this blog.
1. No reputable company EVER asks you to click on a link and provide personal information. You always must directly log-in to their site yourself before providing any information.
2. If you take a look at the complete email address it came from it sure isn’t Netflix.
3. If you hover your cursor over what seems to be a good link where they want you to go (www.netflix.com/YourAccountPayment) you can see where the address is actually going and, once again, it sure isn’t Netflix.
4. Putting a phone number in the email isn’t common and seeing that they provided an 800 number to call may make it seem legitimate at first, but anyone can get an 800 # and then route it to anyone and, I might add, anywhere on the planet.
The bottom line is that the rules regarding emails are clear. Don’t click on links that request even the slightest bit of personal information nor call any phone number given to you in an email. You want to talk to Netflix? Call them on a number you look up yourself.