Buying unverified IPTV services using credit cards is not advisable, as indicated by a recent IPTV study.
Recommended IPTV Service Providers
A study carried out by the Digital Citizens Alliance (DCA) has uncovered potential risks linked to sharing credit card details with unverified IPTV services, including unexpected additional fees.
Important Note: The team at Iptv Knowledge has consistently recommended using alternative payment methods instead of credit/debit cards or banking details. These alternatives encompass:
- Bitcoin or other Cryptocurrencies
- PayPal
- Prepaid Credit Cards
- Masked Credit Cards
For more IPTV suggestions, including these alternative payment methods, view our popular IPTV Setup Guide.
Due to the escalating expenses of cable subscriptions, numerous consumers have shifted to more budget-friendly Internet TV options.
Even though legitimate streaming alternatives exist, the market is inundated with illicit IPTV providers streaming content without proper authorizations.
These illegal IPTV platforms usually charge low subscription fees but still manage to generate substantial profits.
Reports indicate that these setups have yielded over €1 billion in Europe alone.
Enabling Piracy IPTV Operators
The DCA report titled “Enabling Piracy Operators” elucidates some dubious practices in the industry, demonstrating it’s not merely a playground for digital enthusiasts.
The potential profits in this industry have enticed various criminals. Some operators have been implicated in fraudulent activities against their clients.
An investigation conducted by the DCA involved the use of a new credit card to subscribe to 20 different IPTV services, with subsequent monitoring of the outcomes.
This encompasses popular live TV providers such as IPTV Trends, Falcon TV, Comstar, Mom IPTV, Pelican Hosting, and others.
The unauthorized charges ranged from a few dollars to over $200, with one particularly large charge of $850 that was successfully blocked by Capital One bank.
While it might be apparent, the findings stand as a reminder that sharing credit card information with an uncertain IPTV service can pose financial risks.
Nonetheless, this does not imply that all IPTV providers exploit their customers’ credit cards. Successful businesses prioritize customer trust and long-term relationships, while some services prioritize immediate profits over building loyalty.
The DCA strongly discourages the use of such services and urges consumer advocacy groups, online intermediaries, and the U.S. Government to take action.
They advocate for payment providers to refuse transactions with these illicit IPTV services and for consumer groups to proclaim public alerts about the risks, supported by the Federal Trade Commission.
The DCA also urges U.S. law enforcement to employ the Protecting Lawful Streaming Act (PLSA) enacted in 2020 to pursue more cases against these criminal IPTV streaming services.
Considering the illegal streaming ecosystem’s valuation at around $2 billion, it’s essential for the Department of Justice to take decisive action.
To substantiate their research, the DCA conducted a survey of 2,330 Americans. The results indicated that nearly one-third confessed to accessing pirated content at least once in the past year, with 10% having paid for a subscription.
The survey also disclosed that those using a credit card to pay for an IPTV subscription were at least four times more likely to encounter identity theft or malware issues.
Moreover, 72% of participants who paid for IPTV subscriptions reported credit card breaches, compared to 18% of those who never visited pirated sites.
For further information, refer to the official DCA Report and the article from TorrentFreak.
Legal IPTV Streaming Options
Iptv Knowledge cannot ascertain the licensing status of unverified IPTV services, apps, websites, or add-ons. Should an IPTV service be deemed illegal, users will promptly be informed, and our reports will be updated accordingly.
In summary, the end-user holds accountability for all content accessed through free IPTV apps and paid services.
Refer to our comprehensive guide below for details on the legality of IPTV and essential information before streaming.
For 100% verified and legal IPTV providers, consider these recommendations. These providers can be trusted with your credit card information.
fuboTV
fuboTV is a widely acclaimed legal IPTV provider among cord-cutters globally, especially sports enthusiasts.
The highlight is that fuboTV presents a 7-Day Free Trial for new users! This enables a hassle-free trial of the service.
Featuring three distinct plans, the most popular one offers over 115 channels and DVR for $69.99/month.
