PS3/PSP - Identify Fraud May Cause Personal Debt

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by: Debt Advice Group
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Word Count: 501
Date: Tue, 27 Sep 2011 Time: 7:14 PM
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In April 2011, PlayStation 3 (PS3) and PlayStation Portable (PSP) users who were signed up to the PlayStation Network (PSN) were told that 77 million accounts had been hacked and personal details stolen. Later it was revealed that another 25 million users of the Sony Online Entertainment service had been affected as well.

The attack opens users up to the possibility of identify theft and the accumulation of personal debt, with hackers potentially having access to credit card details as well as names, addresses, email addresses, birth dates and PlayStation logins and passwords. The PSN was closed down immediately after the attack, leaving users unable to log on and see the details about themselves that were held.

Every PS3 and PSP user has to have a PSN account to be able to engage in online gaming, which is one of the most attractive features of the PS3 and PSP consoles. The account offers the facility to buy new games, add in-game upgrades and also to buy or rent films.

Customers are advised to change any passwords that are the same as their PSN password and keep an eye on credit card transactions. They have also been warned to be wary of 'phishing' emails, which usually pretend to be from a bank or other well-known company asking for personal information. It is not known for certain if credit card details have been accessed, but phishing could be one way of obtaining any extra information needed to be able to make use of the data already obtained.

Any credit card transactions made fraudulently by someone else will normally be covered by the credit card provider, unless the holder of the credit card has been negligent. However, Sony has taken the level of protection a step further as it has liaised with providers of identity theft protection plans to offer its users the ability to sign up for 12 months of free protection against identify theft. This will hopefully avoid any users needing debt help as a result of their details being compromised. More details can be found on the PlayStation website.

For gamers concerned about their credit card details being held by Sony in the future, there is an alternative way to purchase online content. Rather than supply credit card details, prepaid PlayStation store cards can be bought and redeemed online in the PSN store. This means that online content can still be paid for, but without needing to use a credit card online. These cards can also offer a way to budget for any purchases made to avoid the temptation of impulse buys and running up high credit card bills.

For anyone unlucky enough to incur personal debt as a result of the attack on PS3 and PSN users, debt help is available. Debt advice can help people understand the different ways of managing debt and steps that can be taken if the amounts owed appear unmanageable. In extreme circumstances, debt can even be written off if there is no realistic way that it can be repaid.

About the Author

Declan Murray
Senior Debt Advisor

Declan has worked with the Debt Advice Group since it was founded. As a senior debt advisor Declan works alongside specialist Insolvency Practitioners and advises customers on all aspects of their debt including bailiffs queries and IVAs from first call right through to closures. Declan has been an active forum specialist since 2009 on IVA.co.uk - a popular, award winning forum providing IVA support.

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