``My Netflix bill is so expensive...?'' I thought, and when I checked, it had automatically been changed to a premium plan——. Recently, reports of such damage have been increasing on SNS.

In fact, on X, a post went viral saying, ``Not only was my Netflix subscription changed to a premium course without my permission due to unauthorized login, but I also had to pay a little over 2,000 yen every month for devices for my whole family that I didn't know about.'' It's a horrifying story of someone paying someone else's bill for months without realizing it.

In this article, we have summarized How to check to see if your Netflix account has been logged in illegally, Specific measures in case of damage, and Preventive measures to prevent it from being hijacked again, using the latest information as of February 2026.

Why are Netflix's unauthorized login incidents increasing?

In 2025, it was discovered that approximately 7 million account information had been leaked from video distribution services such as Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video. Of these, it is reported that Netflix alone had the highest number of cases, at 5.63 million (Darkpedia).

The point is that Netflix itself was not hacked. There are three main causes of leaks:

  • Phishing scam: Entering your password from a fake email such as "There is a problem with your payment method"
  • Password reuse: Passwords leaked on other services were also used on Netflix
  • Malware infection: Your smartphone or PC was infected with a virus and the information you entered was stolen

In other words, in most cases, the cause is poor password management. People who think they're okay should check it out once.

Check it out now! How to check for unauthorized login

If you think, "Maybe I am too...?", please check the following three things. You can also do it from your smartphone.

Check 1: Check the accessed device

  1. Go to netflix.com/account in your browser
  2. Open "Security & Privacy" → "Access and device management"
  3. A list of logged in devices is displayed

If you see access from an unknown device or from an unknown location, be careful.

Check 2: Check viewing history

  1. Select your profile on your account page
  2. Open "Viewing history"

If you see works that you don't remember seeing, someone else may be using your account. It's especially suspicious if foreign dramas or works in languages ​​you don't know are mixed in.

Check 3: Check the plan and billing amount

  1. Open Payment details on your account page
  2. Check your current plan and monthly bill

As in the damage example at the beginning, there are cases in which the premium plan (1,590 yen per month → 1,890 yen per month *as of February 2026) was changed without the user's knowledge. If you're wondering, "Wow, did I pay that much?", check your plan.

Illegal login! 4 things you should do now

If you find out that there has been unauthorized use, please do not hesitate to follow the steps below in order from the top.

Solution 1: Change your password now

This is the top priority. Change your password from netflix.com/password. Netflix's official help center (Netflix Help) recommends the following conditions for a new password:

  • 8 or more characters with a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols
  • Use a password exclusively for Netflix (don't use it for other services)
  • Avoid character strings that are easy to guess, such as "password," "123456," and "birthday"

When changing your password, check "Log in again on all devices". This will force the unauthorized user to log out.

Countermeasure 2: Sign out from all devices

If you are unable to log out using the options when changing your password, execute "Sign out from all devices" on the account page. You will need to log in again on your smartphone or TV, but it is essential to reliably kick out unauthorized users.

Action 3: Restoring the plan

If you have changed to a premium plan without permission, go back to the original plan from "Change Plan" on the account page.

Action 4: Contact Netflix customer service

Contact us by phone or chat through the Netflix Help Center. Differences in plan changes due to unauthorized use may be refunded. The key is to specifically tell them that your plan was changed without permission or that you were accessed from an unknown device.

5 precautions to avoid being hacked again

Once the problem has been dealt with, the next step is to prevent it from happening again. We have summarized what you can do immediately based on the security measures recommended by Netflix official (How to keep your account secure).

Prevention 1: Do not reuse passwords

This is the biggest cause. I'm sure many people say, "I used the same password for Netflix as my email password..." Password management apps (1Password and Bitwarden, etc.) to set separate passwords for each service.

Prevention 2: Be careful of "suspicious emails" from Netflix

Netflix has officially stated that We will never ask for personal information (passwords, credit card numbers, etc.) via email or SMS. If you receive an email asking you to update your payment method, don't click on the link in the email, go to netflix.com in your browser and check it yourself.

Prevention 3: Check email notifications for login

Netflix will send you a notification email when you log in from a new device. If you receive an email saying "You have logged in on a new device" and you don't recognize it, change your password immediately.

Prevention measure 4: Register a phone number for password recovery

Even if your email address changes, you can recover your account if you have a registered phone number. Please check your account page.

Prevention 5: Keep your smartphone and PC secure

Account information leaks are often caused by malware infection on devices. Update your OS frequently and avoid installing suspicious apps.

FAQ

Can I get a refund if Netflix changes my plan without permission?

If you contact Netflix customer service, you may be able to get a refund for the difference in price due to unauthorized use. Tell them via chat or phone that your plan has been changed due to an unauthorized login. It will be easier if you have a screenshot of your billing details.

Does Netflix have two-factor authentication?

As of February 2026, Netflix does not have a two-step verification feature. Therefore, password strength and avoidance of reusing passwords are especially important. Login notification emails from new devices have become a security alternative.

Is it difficult to notice unauthorized logins if you share your account with family members?

Yes. If it's shared among family members, it's easy to overlook it and think that someone else has seen it. We recommend that you regularly check your registered devices under "Manage Access and Devices" on your account page.

What should you do if your email address has also been changed?

According to Netflix official website (Account email was changed), even if your email address has changed, you can recover it if you have a registered phone number for password recovery. If either has changed, please contact Netflix Customer Service directly.

References