New research has found that a large proportion of people who use illegal streaming devices have been defrauded by scammers
The illicit devices allow households to access paid channels and streaming services for free(Image: Moment RF/ Getty)
Households who use illegal streaming devices have been warned that they risk losing thousands to fraudsters. Gadgets such as fake Amazon Fire TV Sticks are opening the door to scammers, with as many as two in every five users falling prey to data theft and cybercrime.
The distribution of illicit Fire Sticks – an illegal version of the popular Amazon device which allows households to access channels and streaming services for free that you would usually need to pay for – is one of the most common illegal streaming operations. Clampdown efforts on these devices have spanned the UK, including the North East, with courts imposing increasingly severe penalties.
Any households using or considering the use of an illegal streaming device have been warned that this activity “exposes your home to criminals” by granting them access to data stored on your network, including banking details and sensitive personal information. In addition, it can introduce malware on to your devices, which can further compromise your security.
A recent survey from BeStreamWise, a UK initiative established to counter illegal streaming, found that two out of every five people who used illegal streaming were defrauded. They lost an average of almost £1,700 each as a result.
BeStreamWise warns: “When you use illegal streams, you risk letting criminals in. Illegal streaming services are increasingly operated by sophisticated criminal networks, often involved in other types of crime.”
Our ChronicleLive Daily newsletter is free. You can sign up to receive it here. It will keep you up to date with all the latest breaking news and top stories from the North East.
BeStreamWise adds that over 2.7 million illegal streamers have had their devices infected with viruses in the UK. People who use these illegal streaming devices are opening themselves up to the following risks:
Viruses and Malware: When accessing illegal streams, whether through free streaming sites or via apps, add-ons or devices, you are at risk of receiving malicious software. This gives criminals access to your network or your device compromising your personal data.
ID Theft, Scams and Fraud: Streaming via illegal methods puts you at risk of being exposed to fraud and data theft. This risk increases significantly when users exchange credit or debit card information to view content on unregulated and illicit websites.
Inappropriate Content: Watching content via an illicit source can expose younger viewers to age-inappropriate content. These unauthorised websites, devices, apps, add-ons, and the content they can access have no parental controls.
Latest research from BeStreamWise found that the average amount stolen from illegal streaming is £1,680, with one in ten people having lost more than £5,000. By contrast, illegal streamers estimate they save just £13.38 a month, on average, by not paying for official subscriptions, amounting to around £160 a year – so the money illegal streamers place at risk is therefore 950% higher than the annual estimated savings.
In addition, the BeStreamWise survey found that two in five (39%) have also suffered attempted hacks to steal personal and private information on their mobile phones when streaming illegally. And nearly two-thirds (65%) have had security scares, such as malware or scam pop-ups, while streaming illegally.
The latest crackdown in the UK by the Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT) saw a man from Birmingham who ran a sophisticated illegal streaming operation jailed for two years and nine months for offences related to creating and operating an illegal streaming service. A man from Halifax in Yorkshire who sold modified TV fire sticks that infringed copyright laws was also sentenced to two years behind bars at the start of the year.
Join our WhatsApp communities
ChronicleLive is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join our communities.
We have a number of communities to join, so you can choose which one you want to be part of and we’ll send you the latest news direct to your phone. You could even join them all!
To join you need to have WhatsApp on your device. All you need to do is choose which community you want to join, click on the link and press ‘join community’.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the ChronicleLive team.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners.
If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose ‘exit group’.
If you’re curious, you can read our privacy notice.
Join the ChronicleLive Breaking News and Top Stories community
Join our Court & Crime community
Join the Things to do in Newcastle and the North East community
Join our Northumberland community
Join our County Durham community
Join our Sunderland community
Join our Great North Run community
Join our shopping deals and bargains community
Join our Christmas and New Year community
