Area PlayStation owners’ personal information may be at risk, according to N.C. Attorney General Roy Cooper.
A recent report by Sony PlayStation estimates more than 780,000 North Carolina residents’ personal information may have been compromised as a result of a hacking incident.
A security breach happens when data or records containing personal information such as Social Security numbers or bank account numbers are lost, stolen or displayed.
“With just a few key pieces of information, an identity thief can pretend to be you and ruin your good name and credit,” said Cooper. “If you learn that your information may be in the wrong hands, act fast to protect yourself.”
Sony PlayStation was made aware of the hacking incident last week and determined that consumers’ names, addresses, email addresses, birthdates, PlayStation password and login information, and online identification was compromised. It is also possible that consumers’ credit card information was obtained by the hacker, as well as their profile data, purchase history, billing address and security answers. If the primary account holder included dependents, the dependents’ information would also be included.
The company said it has disabled its network and is rebuilding the system to enhance the security. Sony PlayStation sent emails to North Carolina consumers affected, posted the breach notice on its website and alerted statewide media outlets.
Cooper recommends that people who’ve received a security breach notification alert the credit bureaus, consider getting free security freezes to prevent new accounts from being opened in their names and continue checking their credit frequently. See www.ncdoj.gov for more detailed security breach tips.
North Carolinians can request free security freezes by visiting the three major credit bureaus’ secure websites and providing identifying information such as their Social Security number, address and date of birth.
Consumers who don’t have access to the Internet can request and lift security freezes by mail or telephone for $3 per bureau. Freezes by mail or telephone are free to victims of identity theft and consumers over age 62.