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Add Streaming Scams to Your Watch List

Summary Streaming services are popular with consumers and scammers alike. Learn how to recognize fake payments, account warnings and subscription scams before they become costly mistakes.Key Takeaways
  • Watch for fake account suspension or payment notices.
  • Verify requests directly with your streaming provider.
  • Avoid clicking suspicious links in emails or texts.
  • Use strong passwords for streaming accounts.
“My daughter was excited to watch her high school team play for the state title. To livestream the game, she clicked what she thought was an official “WIAA” link on social media and entered our credit card – only to find that she’d instead landed on a scam website.”As this Summit member story shows, scammers love how popular livestreaming services have become and they know all about hot, local events. They geographically target victims with ads on social media and online, hoping to get credit card or personal info.Tips to avoid streaming scams:
  • Look closely at sponsored ads before clicking. Just because a website comes up first in an online search or pops up in your social media feed, that doesn’t make it the official website. In general, avoid clicking links in unsolicited social media, texts or emails.
  • Double check a website’s “URL” in the address bar. Especially if you got to the site through an ad link! Be wary if the URL is slightly different from a credible company’s official URL, or if it changed to something else completely.
  • Be careful when activating a streaming service. Scammers create fake websites that seem to come from a real streaming service provider, prompting you to pay fees or enter login info. (They’re hoping you also use that login info for other accounts.)
We can all learn from, and look out for, each other! Just as this Summit member shared her story to help you avoid a streaming scam, please spread the word to your family and friends on our fraud-fighting tips.If you have questions about fraud or think you’ve been a victim of a scam, reach out to your financial institution right away. Summit members, we’re always here to help at 800-236-5560.

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