Skip to content
Elliott Report

Elliott Report

  • Home
  • Features
    • Advocacy
    • Destinations
    • Problem Solved
    • On Travel
    • Safe Travels
    • The Travel Troubleshooter
    • Red List/Green List
    • Ultimate Consumer Guides
  • Company Contacts
  • Sites
    • Elliott Advocacy
    • Christopher Elliott’s books
    • Elliott Confidential
    • EA Facebook Group
  • Newsletters
    • Elliott Advocacy Today (Daily)
    • Elliott Confidential (Premium)
    • Elliott’s E-Mail (Weekly)
    • Media Leads (Weekly)
  • Advocacy
  • About
  • Contact Us
Get Help
Elliott Report

Elliott Report

  • Home
  • Features
    • Advocacy
    • Destinations
    • Problem Solved
    • On Travel
    • Safe Travels
    • The Travel Troubleshooter
    • Red List/Green List
    • Ultimate Consumer Guides
  • Company Contacts
  • Sites
    • Elliott Advocacy
    • Christopher Elliott’s books
    • Elliott Confidential
    • EA Facebook Group
  • Newsletters
    • Elliott Advocacy Today (Daily)
    • Elliott Confidential (Premium)
    • Elliott’s E-Mail (Weekly)
    • Media Leads (Weekly)
  • Advocacy
  • About
  • Contact Us
Is this really a Roku update?

Roku just made a new account for me. But I don’t want one

Photo of author

By Christopher Elliott

Published October 11, 2018

Updated January 30, 2024

Is Roku trying to phish Richard Samuels? And if not, why is it giving him the silent treatment? Let’s find out.

Question

I recently received an email from Roku thanking me for creating a new account. There’s just one problem: I have no Roku products. I asked the company when and how the account was created, but it refused to provide the information. I’m concerned this is a possible case of identity theft.

Can you help me find the right person at Roku? I’d like to reach someone who can tell me how this account was created and remove all of my information from their database. — Richard Samuels, Portland, Ore.

Answer

I would have been a little worried, too. The email, which talks about “planned maintenance,” is riddled with grammatical errors and, on first blush, looks like a clumsy phishing attempt. The fact that Roku didn’t respond to any of your queries seems to support the conclusion that the email was a fake.

Of course, Roku should have responded to your inquiries to let you know if this was legit or not. I’m not sure why it didn’t. Sometimes, call centers can get overwhelmed with inquiries, and that may be what happened. But it’s no excuse.

Did you ever have a Roku device?

While you might not currently have Roku’s digital media player, I asked you to think back. Have you ever owned one of its devices? And indeed, it turns out you had — back in 2011. I used to own one, too, but had forgotten about it until I reviewed your case. With so many gadgets in our lives, it’s hard to keep track of all of them.

So this wasn’t identity theft.  Roku made a legitimate update that only looked like an amateurish phishing scheme. (Here’s how to fix your own consumer problem.)

Wow.

Faye Travel Insurance provides whole-trip travel coverage and care that brings out the best in each journey with industry-leading technology that enables smarter, faster, smoother assistance and claims resolutions. Our robust travel insurance covers your health, your trip, your stuff, and even your pet, via an app that provides real-time proactive solutions, quick reimbursements and 24/7 support from anywhere in the world. Wherever you go, we’re there too, taking care of the details so you can make the most of each moment, with the only travel protection that is by your side and on your side every step of the way.

I publish the names, numbers and email addresses of Roku’s executives on my consumer advocacy site. You could have used those to hold the company’s feet to the fire. I contacted Roku on your behalf, too, but also got the silent treatment. (Related: Help! Mice ate my rugs in a CubeSmart storage facility.)

In the end, you figured out that your identity was safe, the maintenance issue was real and that Roku staff needs to take some remedial English lessons. Good to know.

Photo of author

Christopher Elliott

Christopher Elliott is the founder of Elliott Advocacy, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that empowers consumers to solve their problems and helps those who can't. He's the author of numerous books on consumer advocacy and writes three nationally syndicated columns. He also publishes the Elliott Report, a news site for consumers, and Elliott Confidential, a critically acclaimed newsletter about customer service. If you have a consumer problem you can't solve, contact him directly through his advocacy website. You can also follow him on X, Facebook, and LinkedIn, or sign up for his daily newsletter.
Categories Problem Solved Tags IDENTITY THEFT, IS THIS REALLY HIS ROKU ACCOUNT?, IS THIS SPAM OR JUST ROKU?, PHISHING, ROKU, ROKU ACCOUNT
Here they are: The best hotel review sites in the world!
Here are the air travel secrets I want to share with you

Related Posts

Hockey fan buys "glass seats" on StubHub, receives tickets for a nonexistent row. Despite video proof, StubHub initially refuses refund. Learn how to escalate and resolve misleading ticket purchases.

Ticket trouble: Did StubHub score an “own goal” on this purchase?

Vanessa Wilkins purchased a ticket for a Remi Wolf concert, excited to see Rachel Chinouriri as the opening act. However, after discovering that Chinouriri had dropped out before her purchase, she sought a seatgeek refund. Learn how she navigated the process and ultimately secured her refund.

Should SeatGeek refund my tickets after Rachel Chinouriri dropped out of the show?

Benjamin Marmer, a college student, faced a frustrating situation when his new Dell laptop was marked as delivered by FedEx, but he never received it. Caught in a loop between Dell and FedEx, he sought help. Discover how he ultimately secured a replacement for his lost laptop.

Is this Dell lost laptop a lost cause?

Scott Rosenblatt canceled an Uber Eats order within 30 seconds but was slapped with a cancellation fee—even though the restaurant hadn’t started preparing his food. After Uber refused a refund, he disputed the charge with his credit card company… and won. Uber retaliated by blocking his account indefinitely. Consumer advocate Christopher Elliott stepped in, exposing Uber’s harsh policy of banning users who win chargebacks. Following advocacy, Uber quietly reinstated Scott’s account but ignored questions about its flawed system. A stark warning: Disputing charges with gig platforms can backfire, leaving customers locked out of essential services.

Banned by Uber after I won my credit card dispute — can you help?

What's Your Problem?

The Elliott Report is supported by Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that offers free advice and advocacy for consumers. If you need help with any problem, please contact us through this form. We’re always here to help.

Get Help

Company Contacts

We publish the names and emails of customer service managers. Check out our directory.


Uber
Lyft
Paypal
Amazon
Airbnb
See all contacts

Subscribe to our free newsletter

Check out Elliott Advocacy Today, our free, daily newsletter with links to your favorite commentary, tips and news about consumer advocacy. You’ll also connect with other readers who want to make the world a better place.

Most Popular

Avis broadsides Gena Ettinger when it adds her to the company's Do Not Rent list. How does she get unbanned?

I’m on Avis’ Do Not Rent list. How do I get off?

Ling Lu Yamaki navigated a $28,000 timeshare entanglement with Hilton Grand Vacations after feeling misled. Her journey uncovers the intricacies of timeshare agreements, the importance of consumer rights, and the unexpected twists in resolving such disputes. This tale serves as a cautionary lesson for anyone considering or trying to exit a timeshare.

How do you get out of a $28,000 timeshare mistake? Definitely not like this

Robert Zuercher and his fiancee were flying from Cancun, Mexico, to Cleveland for a somber occasion. His grandmother had died, and they were attending her funeral. But they say Frontier Airlines added to their grief when they were kicked off their flight without explanation -- or compensation.

Kicked off my flight for being disruptive — does Frontier Airlines owe me anything?

Would you break a rule for a cheaper airline ticket? Meet the people who have.

Travelers are breaking this rule for a cheaper flight. Should you?

Ultimate Guides

When traveling, the last thing anyone wants is to face the hassle of lost luggage. This comprehensive guide offers vital information on what to do if your luggage goes missing during air travel, cruises, train journeys, or hotel stays. From understanding the rules of lost luggage claims to tips on preventing your bags from getting lost, this article is an essential resource for travelers. It covers everything from filing claims to avoiding luggage fees, ensuring your travel remains stress-free.

The ultimate guide to finding your lost luggage

Thinking about a spring break vacation? You better think fast, because the 2025 spring break travel season will be busier -- and potentially more expensive -- than ever.

Here’s your insider guide to spring break travel in 2025

The busy 2023 holiday travel season, which runs from the end of November until early January, will be one for the record books. Here's how to survive it.

Here’s your ultimate guide to holiday travel

Here's the ultimate guide to travel food, which includes advice on where to eat and how to avoid unwanted weight gain.

Eat this! The ultimate guide to travel food

Advocacy

Elderly couple denied Priceline car rental due to unclear age restrictions. Learn about rental car age policies and what to do when your reservation isn't honored.

Am I too old to rent a car? These Priceline rules are confusing

Passenger paid for premium economy, received economy tickets via Booking.com. Dispute involves multiple parties and refund refusal. Understand your rights when downgraded and how to escalate booking errors.

Booking.com downgraded my flights from London to Tokyo. Why can’t I get my $3,097 back?

Passenger seeks full refund after Aer Lingus switches aircraft due to a strike, leading to a charter flight. Understand your rights when airlines change service, negotiation strategies, and how to get a fair resolution in flight disruption cases.

Aer Lingus Switched my aircraft. Am I entitled to a refund?

After Lufthansa canceled her flight from Naples to Boston, Beth Bythrow faced a $1,387 refund dilemma involving her travel agent and tour operator. Discover the steps she took to navigate the complexities of her situation and how she ultimately secured her refund after six frustrating months.

A tour flight cancellation dilemma: Who owes me $1,387? Does anyone?

More from Elliott Confidential

  • Is it safe to visit the Middle East right now? It's complicated
    June 16, 2025 by Christopher Elliott
    If you’re holding out hope for a summer vacation in Israel, you might want to rebook now
  • This is the silent menace stalking your next vacation
    June 15, 2025 by Christopher Elliott
    E-bikes and scooters are threatening tourists more than ever. I should know. I'm one of them.
  • After 240 died in the Air India crash, are you still boarding your flight?
    June 13, 2025 by Christopher Elliott
    It's been a terrible year for airline safety. Is it time to cancel your air travel plans?
  • Consumer Alert: The sinister new twist in the travel call center scam
    June 9, 2025 by Christopher Elliott
    We've been flooded with complaints about this online swindle. Now it's getting worse.
  • Here are the things you'll instantly regret doing on a plane
    June 8, 2025 by Christopher Elliott
    From laptop-killing lattes to barefoot bathroom blunders, here are the things you'll wish you never did when you fly. How many of them have you done?

What’s Your Problem?

If you have a consumer problem, please contact our team at Elliott Advocacy through this form. We’re always here to help. Our help is free.

Get Help

Our Newsletter

Check out Elliott Advocacy Today, our free, daily newsletter with links to your favorite commentary, tips and news about consumer advocacy. Did we mention it's free?

Sign Up

What's This Site?

The Elliott Report is a consumer news site supported by Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that offers free advice and advocacy for consumers.

Join Us

Follow Us

© 2025 Elliott Report | Privacy Policy
  • Home
  • Features
    • Advocacy
    • Problem Solved
    • On Travel
    • The Travel Troubleshooter
    • Ultimate Consumer Guides
  • Company Contacts
  • Sites
    • Elliott Advocacy
    • Elliott Confidential
    • EA Facebook Group
  • Newsletters
    • Elliott Advocacy Today (Daily)
    • Elliott Confidential (Premium)
    • Elliott’s E-Mail (Weekly)
    • Media Leads (Weekly)
  • Advocacy
  • About
  • Contact Us
  • Get Help

Don't Miss a Story!

Our award-winning daily newsletters keep you posted on our random acts of consumer advocacy. Plus, we have insightful letters, insider tips, and more. 

Invalid email address
Thanks for subscribing!