General: NetSafe warns of fake sports streaming links

Will Johnston 

New Zealand’s online watchdog has sent a stern warning to sports followers after numerous links have appeared on social media sites wanting users to input personal details to watch community sport.  

NetSafe has noticed an increased number of fake streaming accounts posting links that advertise live sport on social media posts as live streaming becomes increasingly popular.  

At first, these links and accounts appear legitimate, but once users click on them, they’re eventually asked to provide their name, email and credit card number. Some have even asked for their driver's licence and passport details.  

The information may then be captured and used either to take money the scammer requests or possibly to sign the target up for future subscription payments.  

“Unfortunately, an increasing number of these types of links are circulating,” NetSafe’s chief online safety officer Sean Lyons said.  

“While some might be exactly what they say they, many are attempts to scam individuals out of money or personal information, which might then be used in other scams.”  

He warned scammers are not just targeting sports events but also tangihanga or funerals.  

“They prey on individuals’ desire to participate in these events and often use that to extract money from them. 

“This money may be challenging to get back when they realise that they’ve been scammed.”  

Lyons said if people are conned, it’s important to note all the information they have provided and to be “extra careful” around any communications they receive containing this information in the future.  

It’s advised to cancel any credit cards or contact issuers of driver licences and passports to get them replaced.  

Sporting organisations that regularly stream sport have also sent reminders to users to only click on links posted by their official social media accounts or go to their official YouTube channel.  

It’s not only on sports pages where the dodgy links are appearing but on other sites, too.  

Sports News Taranaki Charitable Trust (SNT) has also noticed links appear in the comments section after posting stories on its social media page.  

SNT chair Grant Hassall said the organisation tries to immediately delete random links that appear in the comments section on its posts and block the accounts from commenting in the future.  

“We do our best to mitigate scams on our page,” he said. “I advise our readers go through official live streaming links rather than alternative pages to watch sport.”  

Lyons said if anyone has any concerns or needs further advice to contact NetSafe.