UK homes hit with £1,680 bill for streaming Sky TV illegally, do not be next

UK homes are being warned about the financial dangers of streaming Sky and other premium services without permission.

Streaming Sky and other premium platforms illegally continues to rise in popularity and it’s hardly surprising. UK homes are looking for ways to save money and switching to a so-called ‘dodgy’ Fire TV Stick or other adapted set-top boxes offers a very cheap way of tuning into content such as sports and movies.

However, although it may look tempting, moving to illegal streaming platforms can end up leaving homes with a very nasty bill to pay,

In fact, some UK users have been left facing costs of £1,680.

That’s according to new research from the team at BeStreamWise, who say a whopping 40% of illegal streamers – who took part in a survey – have been hit by some sort of financial fraud.

It’s a common problem when signing up for unofficial streams, and is where hackers use the data supplied to steal credit card details. These can then be used to raid accounts.

BeStreamWise says that the average amount stolen is an eye-watering £1,680. It can get even worse with some users confirming that they have been hit by even bigger costs. The latest data reveals that one in 10 people has suffered £7,500 losses.

Although saving a few pounds a month on TV is appealing, it might not be worth the risk.

BeStreamWise’s research found that, on average, illegal streamers cut their costs by £13.38 a month, or £160 a year. The average value people stand to lose is therefore 950% higher than the average amount they save each year.

“It’s easy to assume that you’re saving money by accessing illegal streams, but the reality is that criminals use these as a way of stealing your personal details and passwords,” said Rob Shapland, an ethical hacker with 16 years’ experience in cyber security.

“The primary goal of these criminals is to get access to your credit card details or bank account. The moment you plug in a modified device to your TV, or download an illegal streaming app on your phone or tablet, you’ve done all the hard work for them.”

Along with revealing that some have lost money, it’s also been confirmed that many more have had near misses.

BeStreamWise says almost two-thirds of those who have watched content illegally in the past year said they’ve had a security scare including things such as malware and malicious pop-ups.

Only 27% of those who took part in the survey said it had never happened to them.

Speaking about the dangers, Detective Chief Inspector Emma Warbey for the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU) at City of London Police said: “Illegal streaming might look like a quick way to save money, but as this research shows, it’s a false economy that can end up costing people thousands. This is a crime that diverts funds away from the entertainment industries – money that supports thousands of technical and support staff. At the same time, it exposes end users to the risks of data theft, cyber crime and fraud.

“This research is crucial for helping us understand those dangers and why initiatives like BeStreamWise matter. They give the public the tools and knowledge to stay safe online and enjoy content legally and securely.

“We will continue to work collaboratively to ensure that this activity is disrupted and those involved are held to account.”