Is your credit card information safe ? (2024)

Netflix does not allow you to remove your card information from the account. A hacker can hijack your account and replace contact details with theirs. Then they can subscribe to Netflix and enjoy all at your cost. This is not hypothetical. It happened to me and may be waiting to happen to you. Have you have faced a similar situation? Please click "Insightful" icon. When there are more people, at least Netflix will hear and secure our information properly.

Here is the my story and a hard learning

I had a old free trial Netflix account that I was not using for a long time. Unfortunately, when I was on travel, a hacker subscribed to a premium service from my account. There were a couple of emails from Netflix on phone and email updates but the damage was already done. I could only get partial information such as

Then I had to talk to Netflix customer support for hours to reclaim my own account. If hackers were subjected to such long duration conversations to achieve their goals then I sincerely feel they would not hack.

Despite causing financial harm, Netflix chose to hide the details of this hacker. With no action taken against hackers, they are indirectly motivated by Netflix to scout around and look for more people without any penalty.

Here is the ESN or what is called the identity of this hacker's netflix device from my logs

Takeaways

1. Netflix does not securely handle your card transactions: Netflix did not validate through OTP or CVC during the transaction. They cannot secure your card at least they need not save your card information for hackers to prey on.
2. Remove your credit card from the account: I contacted customer care and after a long conversation, they removed credit card from my account. So, removing your card is hidden but doable.
3. Provide a expendable credit card: I know credit card companies handle fraud complaints but that is another prolonged journey. But they also cancel your credit cards and try to issue a new one. Indirectly this is a denial of service in security terms. You cannot use your card for a week or 10 days. So, make sure you provide a credit card that you are not dependingfor your daily transactions.

Ideally, we do not need to share credit card information to Netflix for free trials. They can send renewal message and if not interested subscription can be suspended on due date. Unless FTC or others intervene, this will not happen.

Have you have faced a similar situation? Please click "Insightful" icon. When there are more people, at least Netflix and others will hear.