By Carol Kando-Pineda
Sony Corporation recently disclosed that its PlayStation Network and Qriocity service were hacked and that user data may have been compromised. It’s not clear at this time what user data was stolen, but the services held user IDs and passwords, email addresses, birthdates, street addresses, credit card numbers and expiration dates, and payment histories. The Federal Trade Commission, the nation’s consumer protection agency, and its partners in OnGuardOnline.gov are advising PlayStation Network and Qriocity users to take steps now to reduce the risk of identity theft as a result of the hack. Here’s what you can do:
If you used your PlayStation login ID or password for other accounts, change them. Identity thieves have been known to try IDs and passwords on different systems to gain control of consumers’ accounts. And because hackers could have your security questions and answers from Sony, use different questions for other accounts. Now is the time to check that you’re not using identical logins and passwords for multiple accounts where you access or store any personal or financial information
When you open your email, consider whether any of the messages could be a phishing scam. Having your stolen information could make it easier for crooks to send emails that appear to be from PlayStation, Sony or even another gamer. If you get an email asking you to provide your credit card number or Social Security number – don’t. If you want to get in touch with a company you do business with, use the contact information from your billing statement.
Monitor your financial accounts and billing statements often. If you can’t remember which credit card you used for your PlayStation account, check your email account for messages about billing from “DoNotReply@ac.playstation.net.” If you see charges you don’t recognize, get in touch with your bank or credit card company’s fraud department right away.
Check out your credit report. It contains information about your accounts and your bill payment history. Lenders use your credit report to determine how credit-worthy you are. The law requires the major nationwide consumer reporting companies-Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion-to give you a free copy of your credit report every 12 months if you ask for it
Visit ftc.gov/idtheft.
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