Netflix users who have received "Your Account has been Locked" email messages like the one below, which claim the recipients' Netflix membership has been locked, are asked to delete them and should not follow the instructions in them. This is because the email messages, which claim the recipients Netflix membership has been canceled are phishing scams sent by cybercriminals to steal their Netflix account credentials (usernames and passwords). Once the cybercriminals have stolen their victims’ account credentials, they will gain access to their accounts, hijack and use them fraudulently.
A Sample of the "Your Netflix Account has been Locked" Phishing Scam
From: netflix-telstra11@bigpond.com
Subject: Netflix
Your Account has been Locked !
Hi Customer,
We've cancelled your membership, and we have locked your account due to our new security system
If you want you can simply unlock your account and restart your membership to enjoy all the best TV programmes & films without interruption by updating your payment methods
UNLOCK YOUR ACCOUNT
We're here to help if you need it. Please visit the Help Centre for more info or contact us.
- The Netflix Team
Netflix users should never click on a link to sign into their online accounts. They should always go directly to https://www.netflix.com/ and sign into their accounts from there. Once they have signed in, they will be notified of changes, verifications or updates that need to be done to their accounts.
Netflix users who have already been tricked by the phishing email messages should change their passwords and contact Netflix immediately for help.