How To Tell If You’ve Become A Victim Of Netflix Account Hacking
Believe it not Netflix account leeches are out in force, learn what to look for and what you can do in the event your account is compromised.
This article is more than 2 years old
It’s common knowledge that a great majority of people share their Netflix accounts with friends and family. However, a more malicious type of Netflix account sharing is on the rise. Individuals have been tapping into Netflix subscribers’ accounts so they can enjoy all the content that the service has to offer free of charge, unbeknownst to the actual paying subscribers. The very nature of those actions can spark fury. Thankfully though, there are things accountholders can look for to determine if they have become an unwitting victim of these Netflix leeches.
One of the biggest red flags that would signal someone has hacked into your Netflix account would be evident on your account’s profile screen. If you are like most, you probably have a couple of different profiles on your account. However, if you notice a new one suddenly appear and neither you nor any of your family or friends intentionally added it, it’s likely that your account has been compromised.
Additionally, it’s a good idea to keep close track of your watch list and history. Even subtle changes in either could indicate that some stranger has access to and is using your account. It’s also a good idea to pay attention to what Netflix is recommending to you, if the algorithm is suddenly suggesting things that you would never typically watch or gravitate toward you may have a Netflix leech on your hands.
Even if you haven’t noticed anything out of the ordinary it might be worth stepping a little further into the role of Sherlock Holmes just to be sure that your account has not been breached by someone looking to freeload off of your Netflix subscription. First, comb through your Netflix emails and see if any came in alerting you of a new device being added to your account. If it’s a device that you did not add or do not recognize, it’s likely worth a closer look.
Second, check in on your subscription and make sure you are still on the one that you want to be. For instance, if you hadn’t been paying for a 4K bundle but suddenly are. Netflix has changed its prices in recent months, so you may have attributed how much more you’re paying to that, but it also could be due to a more sinister somebody using your account for free. All in all, it’s something that takes two minutes to check and if you do it will likely oust a Netflix moocher or give you some peace of mind. Either way, it’s in service of you and your account.
Lastly, it’s always a good idea to change and update your password. That really goes for any type of account, but this is especially true if you even suspect that someone has been leeching off of your Netflix account. All in all, there will always be ill-intentioned folks out there looking to benefit from someone else free of charge. However, if you stick to the steps above and keep a keen watch on your account, you’ll be in a much better position to effectively safeguard yourself against any would-be Netflix account leeches.
