The Better Business Bureau is issuing a warning about a scam taking users of the popular video streaming service Netflix by surprise.

Technology has made it all too easy for fraudsters to masquerade as legitimate companies and, in this situation, a pop-up ad, which resembles Netflix’s login page, is tricking consumers to hand their personal information over to fraudsters.

Once they have entered their account information, they will be told that their account has been suspended and they will be provided with a number to a phone customer service centre.

As the user speaks with the scammer posing as a Netflix representative, they are advised to download so-called ‘Netflix support software’.

According to the BBB, the software is actually remote login software that gives scammers access to the user’s computer.

Once that has been compromised, the victim is open to identity theft, credit card fraud, and other information breaches.

Sandra Crozier-McKee, president and CEO of BBB serving Southern Alberta and East Kootenay, says fraudsters are becoming more adept at fooling people.

"Fraudsters are listening to our message telling consumers to only deal with businesses they know and trust," she says in a release. "Scammers are hiding behind the names and logos of credible and well-known businesses. If you receive an unsolicited message from a business, check with the BBB before handing over your personal information."

The BBB is offering the following tips to avoid this scam:

  • Be careful about what programs have access to your computer – some legitimate companies do need access to your computer at various times, but check with the BBB to verify the business and make sure you know why access is needed.
  • Watch out for pop-ups and unsolicited emails – if there is ever an issue with your account, you will never be asked to submit personal information online
  • Avoid clicking on links or opening attachments from suspicious emails – if you suspect anything malicious about an email, delete it immediately
  • Confirm the legitimacy of an email – make inquiries online and compare contact information with official websites to the email. Often, fake phone numbers lead to an offshore call centre

For more information and other consumer tips, visit bbb.org.