Scam of the Week: No Time to Phish

James Bond is one of the longest-running film series in history. Since fans have been waiting since 2015 for another installment, the new film, No Time to Die, is making headlines. Cybercriminals have wasted no time and are using the film’s release as phish bait in a new scam.

The scam starts with an ad or pop-up window that claims you can stream No Time to Die for free. If you click on the ad, you are taken to a malicious website that plays the first few minutes of the film. Then, the stream is interrupted and you are asked to create an account to continue watching. Of course, creating an account includes providing personal information and a payment method. Unfortunately, if you complete this process the cybercriminals can charge your debit or credit card for as much money as they’d like. Plus, you won’t actually get to watch the film.

Here are some tips to avoid scams like this:

• Be suspicious of ads, emails, and social media posts that offer free services for something you would typically have to pay for. 
• Only use well-known, trusted websites to stream movies, shows, and music.
• Never trust an online ad. Use a search engine to look up reviews, articles, and the official website for any product or service that catches your eye.

Content provided by KnowBe4