Sioux Falls, S.D. (KELO AM) - The Better Business Bureau of South Dakota is alerting consumers of an uptick in Phishing - with a P-H - scams.
Jessie Schmidt with the BBB says her office has seen a steady flow of consumers who've clicked on links in suspicious emails only to find out they're credit card, social security, and other sensitive data have fallen into the hands of the wrong people, and those scammers are getting more aggressive and creative. "I had a gentleman in my office who had been the victim of a scammer about 4 or 5 weeks ago, and now he's getting more phishing emails dropping in his inbox from his supposed credit card companies. Chase, Merrill Lynch, American Express, all telling him there's a problem with his account and he needs to click on a link."
Those same tactics are being deployed by the latest scam that's sweeping the region which targets Netflix users. Schmidt says the email appears to be from the streaming service, featuring an official looking leather-head and logos. The message tells the consumer that Netflix is having problems processing their payment, and asks them to click on the link and update their info. Schmidt adds that the message comes complete with a phony customer service telephone number.
"There were consumers targeted in both Missouri and Illinois, [with this scam] and we do believe it is reaching beyond that," said Schmidt. It serves as another reminder that companies that bring you subscription services like Netflix as well as your credit or debit accounts will never contact you via email to update sensitive information. Schmidt says when it comes to that; always deal directly with the company via phone or a secure customer service portal on their official web site.
"We just really caution people, before you just routinely click on an email in your inbox, really just stop and think. They won't ask you to do that via email," Added Schmidt.