The Fake Netflix Movie Reviewer Scam – What To Know
Written by: Thomas Orsolya
Published on:
In recent weeks, scam websites promising easy money as a “Netflix Movie Reviewer” have exploded in popularity. Promoted heavily through spam emails and social media ads, these scams lure unsuspecting people with the promise of getting paid to watch and review Netflix movies.
But the reality is much darker. These websites are elaborately designed frauds looking to trick users into signing up for unwanted services or downloading malware. Losses can range from a few dollars in unnecessary subscription fees to identity theft and cleaned out bank accounts.
This article will take an in-depth look at how the Netflix reviewer scam works, who is behind it, and most importantly, how you can avoid falling victim to it. With scam sites getting more sophisticated every day, awareness and vigilance are key to protecting yourself online.
This article contains:
Scam Overview
The offers promoted by these scam websites seem almost too good to be true:
Get paid $40 or more for every Netflix movie you review
Qualify simply by answering a short questionnaire
Hundreds of people hired daily
Easy sign up process starts with clicking a button
For anyone looking to earn extra money from home, this sounds like an amazing opportunity. Just watch a few Netflix movies now and then, write a quick review, and collect your cash.
Unfortunately, that’s not at all what happens. The reality is that these sites are elaborately designed frauds looking to make money through:
Signing users up for subscriptions, services, or software they don’t want
Collecting and selling personal information for identity theft
Installing malware like spyware or viruses onto users’ devices
They lure users in with promises of easy money as a Netflix reviewer. But there are no movie reviewer jobs being offered here – just scams.
These schemes tend to follow a similar pattern:
Users see ads on social media or in their email for easy reviewer jobs
They click on a prominent call-to-action button to get started
They are redirected through various websites and sign up pages
Eventually they are signed up for unwanted services or asked to download suspicious software
The scammers collect affiliate fees and commissions along the way
Hundreds of these scam websites have popped up to capitalize on the opportunity. They invest heavily in online ads to promote their offers and drive traffic.
Many use dubious techniques like:
Falsely claiming affiliation with Netflix
Countdown timers to create false urgency
Fake reviews and comments to build credibility
It’s all designed to get users to click through to their scam funnel as quickly as possible.
How the Scam Works
While there are slight variations in their methods, most Netflix reviewer scams follow the same basic funnel:
Step 1: User Sees Ad For Fake Reviewer Job
The scam process often starts with an ad on social media or in an email:
[Image mockup of Facebook ad]
The ad highlights exciting details like easy sign up, high pay (25−25-25−50 per review), and hundreds of jobs available.
The goal is to entice users to click the prominent call-to-action button without doing any additional research. Time pressure (“280+ hired today!”) helps drive immediate clicks.
Step 2: User Lands on Scam Website
Clicking the ad brings users to a scam website designed to look like the official Netflix site. Examples include:
NetreviewFlix.com
Flixreviewer.com
Netflix-reviewer.com
These sites feature the Netflix logo prominently and continue the deceitful claims from the ads:
The scam site reiterates details like “$40 per review” and “start reviewing movies today” to keep users engaged.
Links in the site footer falsely suggest it is affiliated with or endorsed by Netflix. In reality, these scammers have no relation to Netflix whatsoever.
Step 3: User Fills Out Initial Questionnaire
To get the supposed reviewer job, users must first fill out a short qualification questionnaire:
[Image mockup of questionnaire]
This questionnaire asks for basic details like your name, email, phone number and location.
Filling this out puts users onto lists used both for identity theft purposes and to re-target them later with additional scam offers.
Step 4: User Is Redirected Through Various Websites
After submitting the questionnaire, instead of a job offer users are redirected through a series of sketchy websites. This is the start of the scam funnel.
These intermediary websites have names like “captcha.club”, “unlockrwrd.com” or “rewardsgiantusa.com”.
They exist solely as middlemen to earn commissions and avoid detection before sending users to the final scam offer sites.
Often they will:
Make misleading claims of deals and rewards
Use pop-ups and confusing navigation to trick users
Require email and phone verification repeatedly
Their only purpose is to frustrate and confuse users into sticking with the process.
Step 5: User Gets Signed Up for Unwanted Services
After being bounced around to several intermediary sites, users eventually land on pages promoting dubious services.
Common offers include:
Subscription services (often with impossible cancellation policies)
Overpriced or fake online training courses
Ebooks clubs with monthly fees
Browser hijackers and technical support scams
Buried in small print users may see monthly fees ranging from 10to10 to 10to70+ charged to their credit card.
These services generate large commissions for the scammers while providing little to no value to users. Canceling them is made difficult or impossible.
Step 6: Scammers Profit Off User’s Information
Throughout this process, users’ personal information including name, email, phone number, and address is collected and sold multiple times over.
Data from scam questionnaires is sold on black market sites and used by shady advertisers for retargeting.
The monetization continues as users are subscribed to services they didn’t want or agree to. Recurring credit card charges generate profits for scammers with minimal effort.
Affiliate fees and commissions are paid out at each step of the funnel, creating significant profits from users’ wasted time.
Meanwhile the victims are left with losses ranging from minor subscription fees to major identity theft and financial fraud if malware is downloaded.
What To Do If You Are A Victim
If you submitted personal information to one of these scam websites or signed up for any services, here are important steps to take right away:
Review Credit Card and Bank Statements
Check all your credit card and bank statements closely for any unusual, unwanted or unauthorized charges, even small ones. Scammers like to start with minor subscription fees you may overlook at first. Watch for any monthly recurring charges.
Call Companies to Cancel Services
If you signed up for any free trials, call the company immediately to cancel the service and avoid being charged. Be wary of any company that makes canceling difficult. Reputable firms will allow easy cancellation.
Place Fraud Alert on Credit Reports
Contact one of the three major credit bureaus to place a fraud alert on your credit file. This signals you may be at risk of identity theft and requires creditors to take extra steps to verify your identity before issuing new credit.
Monitor Credit Reports and Accounts
Keep checking your credit reports and all financial accounts closely for any suspicious activity. Unusual charges, new accounts or credit checks can indicate identity theft. Report any fraud to the company and authorities.
Run Antivirus Software
If you downloaded any unfamiliar software or files, scan your devices immediately with updated antivirus software to check for malware or viruses. Also update your operating system and browser as they may have undiscovered vulnerabilities.
Beware of Recovery Services
Beware any call claiming to be from tech support, security or a “recovery service” offering to remove malware for a fee. This is likely a scam. Never give control of your device or make any payments to unsolicited callers.
Reset Passwords
Change passwords on all your online accounts, especially financial, email and social media. Use unique complex passwords for each account. Enabling two-factor authentication provides extra security on accounts that offer it.
Warn Contacts of Scam Ads
Share a warning about the scam ads and websites with your friends and contacts. Post the details on social media to warn others. Reporting scam ads can also help get them removed from circulation faster.
Is Your Device Infected? Check for Malware
If your device is running slowly or acting suspicious, it may be infected with malware. Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free is a great option for scanning your device and detecting potential malware or viruses. The free version can efficiently check for and remove many common infections.
Malwarebytes can run on Windows, Mac, and Android devices. Depending on which operating system is installed on the device you’re trying to run a Malwarebytes scan, please click on the tab below and follow the displayed steps.
Malwarebytes For WindowsMalwarebytes For MacMalwarebytes For Android
Scan your computer with Malwarebytes for Windows to remove malware
Malwarebytes stands out as one of the leading and widely-used anti-malware solutions for Windows, and for good reason. It effectively eradicates various types of malware that other programs often overlook, all at no cost to you. When it comes to disinfecting an infected device, Malwarebytes has consistently been a free and indispensable tool in the battle against malware. We highly recommend it for maintaining a clean and secure system.
Download Malwarebytes for Windows
You can download Malwarebytes by clicking the link below.
After the download is complete, locate the MBSetup file, typically found in your Downloads folder. Double-click on the MBSetup file to begin the installation of Malwarebytes on your computer. If a User Account Control pop-up appears, click “Yes” to continue the Malwarebytes installation.
Follow the On-Screen Prompts to Install Malwarebytes
When the Malwarebytes installation begins, the setup wizard will guide you through the process.
You’ll first be prompted to choose the type of computer you’re installing the program on—select either “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer” as appropriate, then click on Next.
Malwarebytes will now begin the installation process on your device.
When the Malwarebytes installation is complete, the program will automatically open to the “Welcome to Malwarebytes” screen.
On the final screen, simply click on the Open Malwarebytes option to start the program.
Enable “Rootkit scanning”.
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware will now start, and you will see the main screen as shown below. To maximize Malwarebytes’ ability to detect malware and unwanted programs, we need to enable rootkit scanning. Click on the “Settings” gear icon located on the left of the screen to access the general settings section.
In the settings menu, enable the “Scan for rootkits” option by clicking the toggle switch until it turns blue.
Now that you have enabled rootkit scanning, click on the “Dashboard” button in the left pane to get back to the main screen.
Perform a Scan with Malwarebytes.
To start a scan, click the Scan button. Malwarebytes will automatically update its antivirus database and begin scanning your computer for malicious programs.
Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.
Malwarebytes will now scan your computer for browser hijackers and other malicious programs. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
Quarantine detected malware
Once the Malwarebytes scan is complete, it will display a list of detected malware, adware, and potentially unwanted programs. To effectively remove these threats, click the “Quarantine” button.
Malwarebytes will now delete all of the files and registry keys and add them to the program’s quarantine.
Restart your computer.
When removing files, Malwarebytes may require a reboot to fully eliminate some threats. If you see a message indicating that a reboot is needed, please allow it. Once your computer has restarted and you are logged back in, you can continue with the remaining steps.
Your computer should now be free of trojans, adware, browser hijackers, and other malware.
If your current antivirus allowed this malicious program on your computer, you may want to consider purchasing Malwarebytes Premium to protect against these types of threats in the future. If you are still having problems with your computer after completing these instructions, then please follow one of the steps:
Scan your computer with Malwarebytes for Mac to remove malware
Malwarebytes for Mac is an on-demand scanner that can destroy many types of malware that other software tends to miss without costing you absolutely anything. When it comes to cleaning up an infected device, Malwarebytes has always been free, and we recommend it as an essential tool in the fight against malware.
Download Malwarebytes for Mac.
You can download Malwarebytes for Mac by clicking the link below.
When Malwarebytes has finished downloading, double-click on the setup file to install Malwarebytes on your computer. In most cases, downloaded files are saved to the Downloads folder.
Follow the on-screen prompts to install Malwarebytes.
When the Malwarebytes installation begins, you will see the Malwarebytes for Mac Installer which will guide you through the installation process. Click “Continue“, then keep following the prompts to continue with the installation process.
When your Malwarebytes installation completes, the program opens to the Welcome to Malwarebytes screen. Click the “Get started” button.
Select “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer”.
The Malwarebytes Welcome screen will first ask you what type of computer are you installing this program, click either Personal Computer or Work Computer.
Click on “Scan”.
To scan your computer with Malwarebytes, click on the “Scan” button. Malwarebytes for Mac will automatically update the antivirus database and start scanning your computer for malware.
Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.
Malwarebytes will scan your computer for adware, browser hijackers, and other malicious programs. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check on the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
Click on “Quarantine”.
When the scan has been completed, you will be presented with a screen showing the malware infections that Malwarebytes has detected. To remove the malware that Malwarebytes has found, click on the “Quarantine” button.
Restart computer.
Malwarebytes will now remove all the malicious files that it has found. To complete the malware removal process, Malwarebytes may ask you to restart your computer.
Your Mac should now be free of adware, browser hijackers, and other malware.
If your current antivirus allowed a malicious program on your computer, you might want to consider purchasing the full-featured version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware to protect against these types of threats in the future. If you are still experiencing problems while trying to remove a malicious program from your computer, please ask for help in our Mac Malware Removal Help & Support forum.
Scan your phone with Malwarebytes for Android to remove malware
Malwarebytes for Android automatically detects and removes dangerous threats like malware and ransomware so you don’t have to worry about your most-used device being compromised. Aggressive detection of adware and potentially unwanted programs keeps your Android phone or tablet running smooth.
Download Malwarebytes for Android.
You can download Malwarebytes for Android by clicking the link below.
In the Google Play Store, tap “Install” to install Malwarebytes for Android on your device.
When the installation process has finished, tap “Open” to begin using Malwarebytes for Android. You can also open Malwarebytes by tapping on its icon in your phone menu or home screen.
Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the setup process
When Malwarebytes will open, you will see the Malwarebytes Setup Wizard which will guide you through a series of permissions and other setup options. This is the first of two screens that explain the difference between the Premium and Free versions. Swipe this screen to continue. Tap on “Got it” to proceed to the next step. Malwarebytes for Android will now ask for a set of permissions that are required to scan your device and protect it from malware. Tap on “Give permission” to continue. Tap on “Allow” to permit Malwarebytes to access the files on your phone.
Update database and run a scan with Malwarebytes for Android
You will now be prompted to update the Malwarebytes database and run a full system scan.
Click on “Update database” to update the Malwarebytes for Android definitions to the latest version, then click on “Run full scan” to perform a system scan.
Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.
Malwarebytes will now start scanning your phone for adware and other malicious apps. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check on the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
Click on “Remove Selected”.
When the scan has been completed, you will be presented with a screen showing the malware infections that Malwarebytes for Android has detected. To remove the malicious apps that Malwarebytes has found, tap on the “Remove Selected” button.
Restart your phone.
Malwarebytes for Android will now remove all the malicious apps that it has found. To complete the malware removal process, Malwarebytes may ask you to restart your device.
Your phone should now be free of adware, browser hijackers, and other malware.
If your current antivirus allowed a malicious app on your phone, you may want to consider purchasing the full-featured version of Malwarebytes to protect against these types of threats in the future. If you are still having problems with your phone after completing these instructions, then please follow one of the steps:
Restore your phone to factory settings by going to Settings > General management > Reset > Factory data reset.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Netflix Movie Reviewer Scam
1. What is the Netflix movie reviewer scam?
The Netflix movie reviewer scam is a fraudulent scheme where scammers create fake websites and job offers pretending to recruit people for paid movie reviewer positions with Netflix. Promoted through online ads and spam emails, they trick users into signing up for unwanted services, installing malware, or handing over personal information that can lead to identity theft.
2. How does the Netflix reviewer scam work?
The scammers post online ads promoting $25-$50 per review to watch and rate Netflix movies. Users click on a call-to-action button that leads to fake websites impersonating Netflix. These sites have users fill out a questionnaire to “apply” for the job. Then they are redirected through various sketchy websites before eventually being signed up for subscription services, ebooks clubs, or asked to download malware while the scammers collect affiliate payouts along the way.
3. What are some example scam site names?
Some examples of the fake scam websites impersonating Netflix include Netreviewflix.com, Flixreviewer.com, Netflix-reviewer.com and similar combinations. They often feature the Netflix logo prominently to appear more legitimate.
4. What happens after filling out the questionnaire?
After submitting personal information to the questionnaire, users are redirected through multiple shady websites rather than receiving a job offer. These sites earn commissions redirecting traffic before sending them to final pages promoting dubious subscription services, like antivirus scams or ebook clubs that bill monthly fees to your credit card.
5. What are signs it is a scam website?
Warning signs include promises of easy money for simple tasks,urgent Calls-to-action, countdown timers, too-good-to-be-true claims of jobs/income, fake reviews, and questionable contact information. Legitimate Netflix domains would end in netflix.com, so sites using its logo with different extensions (.net, .co, .tv etc) are scams.
6. What happens to the personal information collected?
The scammers collect and sell the personal data like names, emails, phone numbers to shady third parties. This puts users at major risk of identity theft and financial fraud. The information allows scammers to target victims with additional phishing scams and malware attacks.
7. What should I do if I shared my information or signed up for offers?
If you provided any personal information, immediately check bank/credit card statements for any unusual activity, charges or new accounts opened fraudulently. Place a fraud alert on your credit reports and monitor them closely for misuse of your identity. Run antivirus scans to check for any malware installed. Change account passwords and enable two-factor authentication where possible.
8. How can I avoid falling for the Netflix reviewer scam?
Be wary of any job offers promoting easy money for simple online tasks. Take time to research the company. Look for warning signs like fake contact details, urgent call-to-actions and countdown timers. Do not click on ads or provide personal information without verifying the source first. Use unique passwords and monitor accounts closely for any unauthorized charges or activity.
9. How can I report the Netflix reviewer scam?
You can report scam ads to the social media platform or website that hosted them. File complaints about the scam websites with the FTC, IC3 and other authorities to get fraudulent sites shut down. Warn others about new scam tactics being used on forums, social media and by reporting fake job listings.
10. Are there real Netflix movie reviewer jobs available?
No. Netflix does not actually hire or pay random people to watch and review movies for them. Any offers along those lines are fake. Netflix does recruit from experienced critics, journalists and influencers to create curated genre rows, collections and recommendations. But it does not pay everyday viewers for reviews.
The Bottom Line
The Netflix movie reviewer job scam shows how elaborate and deceitful some fraudsters have become. By mimicking large trusted brands and promising easy money they successfully entice many victims.
But with the right precautions, these scams can be avoided:
Research job offers thoroughly before providing personal information or downloading anything. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Don’t trust ads or websites just because they use logos of well-known brands. Scammers fake these regularly.
Avoid clicking call-to-action buttons in ads or providing info to unverified parties.
Monitor financial statements routinely for unauthorized charges or activity. Report any fraud immediately.
Use unique complex passwords and two-factor authentication everywhere possible.
Be extra vigilant for potential scams when looking for flexible online work opportunities. Take time to research any companies thoroughly first.
Warn family and friends by sharing scam awareness on social media. Report scam ads and websites to get them shut down faster.
By taking a few simple precautions, you can enjoy your online experiences while avoiding falling prey to criminal scammers. Don’t let them discourage you from potentially legitimate and rewarding remote work opportunities. With proper awareness and vigilance, their scam offers are easy to spot and shut down.
How to Stay Safe Online
Here are 10 basic security tips to help you avoid malware and protect your device:
Use a good antivirus and keep it up-to-date.
It's essential to use a good quality antivirus and keep it up-to-date to stay ahead of the latest cyber threats. We are huge fans of Malwarebytes Premium and use it on all of our devices, including Windows and Mac computers as well as our mobile devices. Malwarebytes sits beside your traditional antivirus, filling in any gaps in its defenses, and providing extra protection against sneakier security threats.
Keep software and operating systems up-to-date.
Keep your operating system and apps up to date. Whenever an update is released for your device, download and install it right away. These updates often include security fixes, vulnerability patches, and other necessary maintenance.
Be careful when installing programs and apps.
Pay close attention to installation screens and license agreements when installing software. Custom or advanced installation options will often disclose any third-party software that is also being installed. Take great care in every stage of the process and make sure you know what it is you're agreeing to before you click "Next."
Install an ad blocker.
Use a browser-based content blocker, like AdGuard. Content blockers help stop malicious ads, Trojans, phishing, and other undesirable content that an antivirus product alone may not stop.
Be careful what you download.
A top goal of cybercriminals is to trick you into downloading malware—programs or apps that carry malware or try to steal information. This malware can be disguised as an app: anything from a popular game to something that checks traffic or the weather.
Be alert for people trying to trick you.
Whether it's your email, phone, messenger, or other applications, always be alert and on guard for someone trying to trick you into clicking on links or replying to messages. Remember that it's easy to spoof phone numbers, so a familiar name or number doesn't make messages more trustworthy.
Back up your data.
Back up your data frequently and check that your backup data can be restored. You can do this manually on an external HDD/USB stick, or automatically using backup software. This is also the best way to counter ransomware. Never connect the backup drive to a computer if you suspect that the computer is infected with malware.
Choose strong passwords.
Use strong and unique passwords for each of your accounts. Avoid using personal information or easily guessable words in your passwords. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your accounts whenever possible.
Be careful where you click.
Be cautious when clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown sources. These could potentially contain malware or phishing scams.
Don't use pirated software.
Avoid using Peer-to-Peer (P2P) file-sharing programs, keygens, cracks, and other pirated software that can often compromise your data, privacy, or both.
To avoid potential dangers on the internet, it's important to follow these 10 basic safety rules. By doing so, you can protect yourself from many of the unpleasant surprises that can arise when using the web.
Thomas is an expert at uncovering scams and providing in-depth reporting on cyber threats and online fraud. As an editor, he is dedicated to keeping readers informed on the latest developments in cybersecurity and tech.
