By Jamie Martin
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) is alerting consumers about a wave of email scams pretending to be from popular subscription platforms like Netflix and Hulu. These emails are phishing attempts designed to steal personal and financial information.
Scammers use branding that closely resembles legitimate companies and create urgency by stating issues like payment failures or account lockouts. Their goal is to make consumers panic and click harmful links.
“These scams look real — but they’re designed to trick you into taking the bait and handing over sensitive information,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson.
FDACS advises taking the following precautions to stay safe -
Check email addresses carefully. Fraudsters use look-alike addresses.
- Spot errors in spelling or grammar. Legitimate companies avoid these mistakes.
- Never click suspicious links. Don’t provide sensitive information via unexpected emails.
- Avoid rushing. Urgent language is often used to trick you into fast action.
- Visit websites directly. Always type the official URL into your browser.
Consumers who receive suspicious emails or fall victim to scams are encouraged to report incidents to the FDACS Division of Consumer Services by calling 1-800-HELP-FLA or visiting FDACS.gov/ConsumerResources.
With scams on the rise, FDACS remains committed to educating and protecting Florida residents through outreach and proactive alerts. Visit FDACS.gov for more information and updates.
Photo Credit: usda
Categories: National