Now Even Your TV Puts You at Risk of Fraud

Your smart TV is capable of more than just streaming your favorite shows and collecting your personal data for advertisers.

It also provides another avenue for scammers looking to steal your information and money.

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) recently issued a warning to consumers: Don’t automatically trust pop-ups that appear on your smart TV.

People have reported that when trying to open a streaming service’s app, they’ll be stopped by a pop-up that states there’s a problem with either the device or the streaming subscription. The pop-ups then urge users to call a number or visit a particular website to resolve the problem.

On the phone, scammers will act as if they are customer service representatives. Or, the website will do its best to imitate the real deal. They’ll then say you have to pay a fee or give them remote access to your television.

The hope is that you’ll hand over your debit card information or give them enough access to your device to install malware that can nab your sensitive information.

Alternatively, some scammers may say you can resolve the issue by purchasing gift cards and handing over the money that way.

The BBB provided a real-life example of a consumer who received one of these pop-ups. Scammers instructed them to buy three $100 Xbox gift cards to add “anti-hacking protection” to their account. The consumer did as they were told, but upon calling the number back with gift cards in hand, it became clear fraudsters were on the other end of the line.

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According to the BBB, here are a few tips to follow to protect yourself:

• Don’t click or copy the provided URLs; instead look up the website yourself. For example, if you encounter a “Netflix” pop-up, don’t use its listed URL. Do a manual search for Netflix’s customer service instead.
• Research if a company actually has fees. If a pop-up says you need to pay a fee for your Chromecast, you’ll know it’s fraudulent since Chromecast doesn’t charge its users after the initial purchase.
• Look up phone numbers before calling.
• Never give anyone remote access to your devices.

You should also make sure your device’s software is up-to-date. Updates help cover any vulnerabilities that could leave your device, and your personal information, at risk.

Lastly, remember technological stranger danger. Always take a moment to analyze who you could be sharing your personal information with. Just because someone says they’re with a trusted company, doesn’t mean they are. Closely guard information related to your finances and things like your address, full name and account logins.