TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) is warning consumers to be on high alert for a growing wave of email subscription scams. Cybercriminals are targeting Floridians with phishing emails posing as legitimate streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and others, all in an attempt to steal personal information and credit card numbers.
“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. “We want Floridians to recognize the red flags and protect themselves before they click.”
The fraudulent emails often mimic the branding of popular subscription services and will use scare tactics, such as claiming your account has been locked or payment has failed. The goal: get you to click a malicious link or share your financial information.
FDACS offers these tips to help spot a phishing scam before it’s too late:
- Check the sender’s email address. Scammers often use addresses that look official but aren’t. If it doesn’t come from the service’s verified domain — like @netflix.com — don’t trust it.
- Look for spelling and grammar mistakes. Reputable companies don’t send sloppy emails.
- Be cautious with links. If you receive an email or pop-up message that asks for personal or financial information, do not reply or open the link in the message. Legitimate companies don't ask for this information via email.
- Beware of urgent language. Phrases like “Your account will be locked!” are designed to make you panic and act quickly without thinking.
- Go straight to the source. When in doubt, open the app or type the website directly into your browser. Never click through an email you weren’t expecting.
Consumers who believe they’ve received a scam email or have been targeted by a phishing scheme can report it to the FDACS Division of Consumer Services at 1-800-HELP-FLA or FDACS.gov/ConsumerResources.
For more information about Commissioner Simpson and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FDACS.gov.
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