Fake Netflix Employees Play Role Of Villain In Online Scam

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Con artists claiming to work for Netflix could be after your private information, the Better Business Bureau warns.

As CBS 2's Jericka Duncan reported, Jerome Segura, an Internet security expert with Malwarebytes, recently investigated a scam targeting customers of the popular video-streaming service.

"It combines a phishing scam with a tech-support scam," Segura said.

In the con, Netflix customers receive an email or a pop-up directing them to a phony, official-looking log-in page.

Segura set up a computer stripped of personal information and recorded the screen as he investigated the scam. After logging into the fake Netflix site, he received a message that read in part: "We have temporarily suspended this username." The site then gives a 1-800 number to call for support.

Segura called the number, and a con artist posing as Netflix tech support answered. The scammer said he could fix the problem but first needed remote access to Segura's computer.

The scammer directed Segura on how to give him remote control and quickly began to download personal files.

"I had set up fake banking sheets on the desktop, and they were taken as we were speaking," Segura said.

When the con artist asked for credit card information, Segura said he had enough.

"It was time for me to just hang up," he said.

The fake Netflix website has since been taken down.

Netflix told CBS 2 it is aware of the scam and believes it is no longer active. The company also said it uses various methods to protect members and its brand from cyber criminals.

But Segura warns that con artists could try the same scam posing as other companies.

Computer experts say online users should always be careful before giving anyone remote access to their computers.

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