How To Register Roku Without Charge Card

And so you've purchased a Roku device and can't wait to spotter all the TV shows, movies and other content you love.

As you prepare to prepare the device, be careful: Crooks are targeting new Roku customers and charging them to activate their accounts.

In this article, I'll talk over how to avoid getting scammed past criminals targeting Roku users. Every bit a Roku user myself, I've fabricated it a point to stay prophylactic when using the device.

If you're new to Roku, the offset thing you need to know is that yous can't complete your setup on the TV. You lot must employ a reckoner, tablet or smartphone to activate the service.

Here's How Criminals Are Targeting New Roku Users

The problem with going online to actuate your Roku is that there are a number of faux websites offering to aid yous set it up. Only they actually just want to conciliate your money from your wallet!

Another Roku scam involves tertiary-party sellers.

Ane person contacted coin expert Clark Howard's Consumer Action Center (CAC) after their father bought a refurbished Roku Ultra on Amazon.

"While trying to ready it up, a message flashed on his screen saying he would need to call 818-527-4949 to activate the unit of measurement," the person relates in an electronic mail. "When he did, they told him he could pay $69 for four years or more ($130?) or a lifetime gear up."

Roku Scams: Here's What Y'all Need to Know

The thing is, it is free to set up a Roku. The visitor does not accuse customers to actuate their accounts. If yous come across a Roku activation website or someone trying to charge you whatever amount of money, information technology's a scam.

If you input your credit card number on the incorrect website, criminals could access that information and potentially ruin your fiscal life.

Information technology'south important to know that Roku does inquire for your credit card data — if you lot want to rent movies or purchase premium content.

What Is the Right Style to Activate Roku?

At that place'south only one correct online link to activate your Roku service: Roku.com/link. That'southward it.

The schemes have plainly fooled many a cord-cutter. The problem with lookalike Roku activation sites has gotten so bad that Roku now includes a warning in the setup manual that comes with the device.

"Brand sure you lot type Roku.com/link into the browser being careful not to misspell or add extra characters. Typing this incorrectly may have you to fraudulent websites," the instructions say.

Roku setup instruction manual with scam warning — Photo credit: Screenshot of Roku instructions manual

Final Thought

When activating your Roku, once again, make sure y'all type the correct URL into the address bar. Relying on a Google search could ship you to the wrong site, which could potentially be a scam.

If you cull to buy from a third-party seller online, make sure it has loftier ratings earlier yous purchase it.

This video walks you through the steps to set a Roku Limited so yous tin can start streaming safely: