• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Jobs
  • Career
    • Cyber Security Training
    • Work from Home
    • Cyber Security Analyst
    • Remote Work – Six Ways to Keep Your Data Safe When Working Remotely
  • Field Guide
  • Newsletter Signup
  • Deals
  • News
AskCyberSecurity.com

AskCyberSecurity.com

Cyber Security News & Information

  • Home
  • Data Privacy
    • Gamers
    • Government Cyber Security
      • Legislation
      • Standards
        • What are the risks of computer security?
        • Medical Cyber Security
    • Social Media
  • Security
    • Data Breaches
    • Scams
    • Malware
  • Software
    • Apps
    • Web Browsers
  • Glossary
    • Cyber Security Acronyms
  • About Ask Cyber Security
    • Authors
    • Contact Us
  • VPN
    • How Do I Know If My VPN is Working?
    • Best Free VPN iPhone
    • Why Use a VPN?
    • NordVPN vs IPVanish
    • Private Internet Access Download
    • Best VPN for Streaming
      • TikTok VPN
    • VPN Porn
    • Computer Security Software – What You Really Need
  • Tutorials
AskCyber Home » News » scam » WhatsApp Streaming Scam Steals Account Credentials

WhatsApp Streaming Scam Steals Account Credentials

2020-04-22 by Keith Harlock

WhatsApp Scam Offers Fake Free Streaming Service Subscriptions to Steal Account Login Credentials

A new WhatsApp streaming Scam steals streaming media service login credentials . The scam targets new and existing streaming service subscribers. Messaging in this scam attempts to trick subscribers into disclosing their account information in exchange for the false promise of free subscriptions or account credit. Cyber security researchers at ZeroFOX Alpha discovered the scam on WhatsApp but many social media channels have similar scams.

Streaming services like Hulu, Netflix, and Disney+ have experience massive increases in new subscriber sign-ups due to more people being quarantined at home. This presents an opportunity for hackers to take advantage those spending increased time at home.

This WhatsApp streaming scam lures in victims by offering free streaming service memberships or account credit to anyone who enrolls in the fake program. Many online service providers, websites, and apps are offering free content in the form of tutorials, lessons, books, and videos to entertain, educate, or otherwise help people occupy their time during the global quarantine. Messaging offers free access as another gesture of goodwill.

Hulu Streaming FIlms

This scam offer is crafted to look like it is posted by a legitimate service by using their branding, messaging, and graphics. If the reader clicks on the link in the WhatsApp message, it sends them to a spoof website also designed to look like it is a legitimate streaming service. The webpage reiterates the clam that streaming services will be free of charge during the pandemic. It also shows a counter of how many subscribers have acted upon the offer as social proof and to increase credibility.

The spoof website asks a series of questions then congratulates the victim for “winning” a free subscription. Victims are also instructed to share the offer with ten other people to activate their free subscription. They are then asked for their streaming account username and passwords. After completing the requests to get their free streaming service subscription or account credit – both of which are fake – the victim is redirected to the legitimate provider’s website to help disguise the scam.
Although this scam was spotted on WhatsApp, several these types of scams are circulating on social platforms

WhatsApp Streaming Scam

The scam falsely promises free monthly subscriptions in exchange for account login information. Scammers sell stolen account credentials on the dark web or use them to takeover an account. The Andy’s iPhone Hulu attack is an example.

Don’t Fall for Fake Streaming Scams

Although the messaging and design of online scams differs from campaign to campaign, most scams have some commonalities.

  • Online scams and phishing emails both scare the reader with a sense of urgency. They supposedly must act quickly to get something or take action to avoid a penalty
  • Scams often use “too good to be true” offer to get the reader to act without taking the time to examine the messaging
  • Online scams often link to website that look very similar to legitimate websites
  • Scams have a goal – steal money, account credentials, personal information

Filed Under: scam Tagged With: WhatsApp

About Keith Harlock

Keith has 30 years of experience managing staff for the planning and design of highway, bridge and transportation-related projects and specialty structures. Keith oversees the development of and authors numerous reports on a variety of topics related to transportation engineering and has worked with several key clients on projects related to infrastructure security. Keith is a licensed professional engineer in the State of New York, currently a State Board member of the American Council of Engineering Companies of New York and is a licensed commercial pilot with an instrument rating. He resides in Western New York.


LinkedInTwitter

Primary Sidebar

Subscribe to Our Free Newsletter

We Don't Share or Sell Your Info

Web Browsers

Where Are My Saved Passwords in Chrome?

Google Removes 70 Malicious Browser Add-ons from Chrome Web Store

Firefox 75 Reports Your Browser Settings to Mozilla

Categories

Cyber Security Field Guide

Computer Security While TravelingGet Our Cyber Security Field Guide - Available on Amazon!

Recent Posts

Security Marketing Manager – Remote

Sr. Associate, Cybersecurity Architect – Pfizer

Strategic Customer Success Manager – Cybersecurity – Opportunity for Working Remotely

Top 20 Passwords Leaked on Dark Web

ISU Cybersecurity Leader Job Opening

Cyber Security News

Top 20 Passwords Leaked on Dark Web

… [Read More...] about Top 20 Passwords Leaked on Dark Web

Apple Warns of Actively Exploited Zero-Day Flaw

… [Read More...] about Apple Warns of Actively Exploited Zero-Day Flaw

IRS Stops Facial Recognition System for Online Access

… [Read More...] about IRS Stops Facial Recognition System for Online Access

National Cybersecurity Alliance Announces Data Privacy Week

… [Read More...] about National Cybersecurity Alliance Announces Data Privacy Week

More Cyber Security News

Tags

amazon Android Apple bitcoin China chrome CISA credit card DarkSide DHS DOJ Equifax Europe Facebook facial recognition FBI Firefox FTC games GDPR Google Government hacker identity theft India iPhone Iran IRS LinkedIn Microsoft North Korea PayPal phishing phishing email ransomware REvil Russia smartphone T-Mobile TikTok tutorial VPN WhatsApp WiFi Windows

Government

CBP Looks to Access Airline Passenger Data

FTC Releases Cyber Threat Video Playlist

Malware Found on US Government Funded Phones

UK NCA Reaches Out to Youth to Deter Cybercrimes

More Posts from this Category

Footer

Menu

  • Home
  • About
  • Authors
  • Newsletter Signup
  • PRIVACY POLICY

Search

Why Use a VPN?

NordVPN vs IPVanish VPN Review

NAVIGATION

  • Data Breaches
  • Data Privacy
  • Gamers
  • Scams
  • Malware

MEMBER NJCCIC

New Jersey Cybersecurity & Communications Integration Cell

STAY CONNECTED

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
  • Twitter
  • RSS

Copyright © 2023 · AskCyberSecurity.com · METRONY, LLC

Go to mobile version