SpaceX is warning that scammers are targeting Starlink subscribers through phishing emails and texts pretending to be the satellite internet service.
“If you receive an email or text requesting your Starlink account email, phone number, password, or payment details, it’s likely not from Starlink,” the company wrote in a support document that suggests the scams are also circulating through phone calls.
“Do not trust anybody who tries to sell you a prepaid Starlink bundle over the phone,” the company wrote. “Starlink does not sell prepaid multi-month service plans over the phone or through external websites.”
Users on social media have also warned about Starlink-focused scams. In November, a Reddit user wrote about receiving an email claiming to come from the “Starlink Team 2024.”
“Your registered payment method has been deleted due to incorrect data we had on file, you must now renew your information in order to avoid late payment fees,” the message says. It included a link to a hacker-controlled login page dressed up as Starlink site, which not only asked for payment card details, but also the user’s Social Security number, driver’s license, and mother’s maiden name.
(Credit: Facebook/Brian Kepp)
Since then, others have reported receiving variations of the scam, which can pretend to come from “Starlink LLC” or “StarlinkService.” To protect users, SpaceX’s support document is advising customers that authentic Starlink emails will only come from the “@starlink.com” email domain, without any variations.
“We’ll never ask you to share your personal information in a text or email or over the phone,” the support document adds. “All information required for your Starlink account should only be entered at the official starlink.com website or official iOS and Android applications.”
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How the scams have been preying on Starlink subscribers is less clear. But it’s possible the fraudsters have been specifically targeting users by identifying them through their social media activity. In the meantime, SpaceX has responded to potential account hijacking by adding two-factor authentication for sign-ins and changing account information.
If a subscriber does fall for a phishing message, then SpaceX advises the customer to change their Starlink password and contact their financial institution if any payment card data was entered. “To verify an email or text’s authenticity, you can log in to your account directly at starlink.com/account or contact us,” the support document adds.
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About Michael Kan
Senior Reporter
