Singapore Police Force Issues Alert on Email Phishing Scams Involving Netflix

The Singapore Police Force (SPF) has issued a warning about a resurgence of phishing scams that are being perpetuated via emails purportedly from Netflix.

Victims of these scams would receive an email that appears to be from Netflix, claiming there are issues with payment or subscription that have led to a temporary suspension of their Netflix account. The email would instruct victims to click on a uniform resource locator (URL) link embedded in the email to verify their details. Victims who click on the URL would be directed to a phishing site, where they are prompted to enter their banking credentials or card details. These details are then misused by scammers to make unauthorized purchases on the victims' cards. Victims would realize that they had been scammed only when they discover unauthorized transactions on their cards or in their bank statements.

Since October 1, 2024, at least 35 cases have been reported to the SPF, with total losses amounting to at least $40,000.

The SPF emphasizes that Netflix would never request personal information such as card numbers and bank account details via text or email.

The SPF urges members of the public to adopt the following precautionary measures:

• ADD the ScamShield app and set security features (e.g. set transaction limits for credit/debit card transactions, enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA), Multifactor Authentication for banks and e-wallets, use the Money Lock feature of your bank to “lock up” a portion of your money so that it cannot be transferred out digitally by anyone, further protecting your savings from scams).
• CHECK for scam signs with official sources. Check the legitimacy of suspicious messages, phone numbers and website links. Always verify the authenticity of the information with the official website or sources. Never disclose your personal or banking credentials, including One Time Passwords (OTPs) to anyone.
• TELL Authorities, family, and friends about scams. Report any fraudulent transactions to your bank immediately.