Viewing shows, sports and movies without paying for subscriptions from the likes of Sky, Virgin or BT has exploded in popularity in recent years. It's hardly surprising as some telly bundles can cost hundreds of pounds a year - that's compared to a small one-off fee or even watching for free when switching to illegal streaming.

With the cost of living crisis still hurting wallets, millions have been tempted over to this cheaper way of viewing TV but it's not without its risks.

New research from anti-illegal streaming initiative, BeStreamWise, says 1 in 4 scam victims believe they were targeted as a direct result of online piracy.

It's a worrying statistic that could leave people seriosukt out of pocket.

In fact, the study found that illegal streamers lose four times as much when being scammed compared to those who don’t pirate content (£5,486 vs £1,328 on average).

One user of illegal streaming services - called Mark - says he was targeted and his bank account hacked after a friend set up a device in his home.

“I used to think illegal streaming was harmless, but after my bank details were stolen and someone attempted to load thousands onto a prepaid card, it made me realise how dangerous it could be, and I stopped immediately," Mark explained.

It might not come a surprise to learn that illegal streaming sites and apps are often used to deliver dangerous malware, with 76 percent of the UK’s 30 most-visited pirate sites actively exposing users to scams, financial fraud, and explicit content.

“People might think that illegal streaming is a quick and harmless way to dodge a subscription fee, but the reality is now looking far riskier," said Matt Allwright, presenter, journalist and consumer champion.

"Clicking on the wrong link or using a dodgy box or stick could open the door to criminals, who are more than happy to help themselves to your personal details, finances and even your identity. What seems like a ‘free’ way to enjoy your favourite content could quickly end up with you paying a much higher price than you expected.”

Along with users of illegal streams being put at risk, those supplying streaming devices can also end up in trouble.

In October last year, Cormac McGuckin, who had 23 previous convictions including theft and fraud, was sentenced to four years in prison for running an illegal streaming service which gave subscribers access to Sky Sports and BT Sports free of charge.

“This new research shows that those seeking ‘free’ content may in fact be paying a far higher price," said Liz Bales, CEO of the British Association for Screen Entertainment and the Digital Entertainment Group International (DEGI).

"Illegal streaming is not a victimless crime – it harms the creative industries, but simultaneously it exposes users to scams, theft, and malware with dangerous and far-reaching personal consequences.”