It's official: I've been a target of identity theft in the wake of the PSN fiasco.

[Snake Plissken]

About an hour ago, I received a phone call from one detective Laurel and learned that 4 credit cards had been applied for in my name in the last 24 hours, somewhere in the vicinity of Dallas, TX.

I live in Colorado and have no connection to Dallas.

Whoever applied for the credit cards reported that my workplace was at a K-Mart, which I haven't had any affiliation with since I was 14 years old.

I'm not here to point the finger at Sony, as it may or may not be due to their recent security disaster. I do know, however, that the scenario is highly likely. Also, it is partially my fault for not taking the proper precautions against this sort of thing after hearing the news of Sony's mishap. I had kept an eye on my finances, but that was about it.

If this degenerates into a "Hurrrrrr, dat's y i haz an xboX," or "itz ur own falt 4 putting ur info on the PSNewb netwerK," sort of thread, I will kindly ask one of the moderators to lock it.

This thread was created with the sole purpose of making people aware of my situation, and to perhaps inform people to take the proper precautions with their personal information at this juncture. Just because PSN is well on it's way to being back up does not mean that PSN users have seen the full repercussions of the information leak.

If you have any similar story to relay, please share it.

EDIT: Also, the cards were applied for online, so no signature was required.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TL/DR: Anecdote, scare tactics, go protect your personal information

 

[MasterOfWorlds]

I went shopping at a Best Buy one time and not four hours later, someone tried to use my card somewhere in Louisiana. I've never even been to Louisiana. It makes me wonder if places that allow you to use cards can't have th signals hacked while they're trying to approve the purchase. I think that's what happened in my case.

 

[Skorpyo]

Only hacking I've ever really received was one of my E-mail accounts. Let me tell you, it's really embarrassing to have to explain to your parents why they've gotten coffers for penis enlargement in a link from my account.

And on a side note, you're in Colorado?

 

[Snake Plissken]

And on a side note, you're in Colorado?

Yep. Live in Windsor, right between Ft. Collins, Greeley, and Loveland. You?

 

[Skorpyo]

And on a side note, you're in Colorado?

Yep. Live in Windsor, right between Ft. Collins, Greeley, and Loveland. You?

Holy crap you're close. I'm hailing from Longmont.

 

[Matt-the-twat]

Someone from a Chinese location 'hacked' into my email account repeatedly apparently (I'm from England) and I got a few emails from folks wondering about whether I could stock their sports equipment...

 

[Skorpyo]

The guys above me are gonna meet up and have amazing buttsecks

Umbrage. I'm taking umbrage to that statement.

 

[Hugums]

Oh man that sucks. I'm assuming you canceled your cards and what not, this happened to a friend of mine except the guy that did that to him had some kind of a sense of humor I think. He sent my friend several blow up dolls before the card was canceled.

 

[Project_Xii]

The Chinese email attack is quite common. I got it with my gmail. Simply changed the password and they never came back.

 

[Agent Cross]

Been through this twice in 6 months. Mind you, not because of the whole PSN fiasco. It sucks! Don't let them b.s. you, they're insured. CC companies just hate to go through all the red tape to get your finances straight. Make sure they straighten out your credit too... if it gets screwed.

 

[renegade7]

never had a bank account hacked or anything, though my WoW account was hacked twice and I lost all my assets when my EVE Online account was hacked last summer, though thankfully I pay with PLEX so they didn't get my credit card.

 

[Klarinette]

I think I've just decided to never get a credit card. I keep all my money out of the bank as it is... this sort of thing scares me.

 

[The Last Nomad]

I wouldn't be so quick to blame Sony (You should be blaming the hackers anyway but I get your point, this PSN fiasco is what you blame). I havn't heard of anyone else being affected, and I doubt thinks would start with one person. If the details did get out, then I'm sure a lot of people would start losing money straight away.
And getting credit cards set up in your name doesn't really sound like something that would happen in this situation if you ask me. But then again I'm not an expert on credit card transactions and the details needed/given when they take place, in fact, I know nothing.

 

[Snake Plissken]

I wouldn't be so quick to blame Sony (You should be blaming the hackers anyway but I get your point, this PSN fiasco is what you blame). I havn't heard of anyone else being affected, and I doubt thinks would start with one person. If the details did get out, then I'm sure a lot of people would start losing money straight away.
And getting credit cards set up in your name doesn't really sound like something that would happen in this situation if you ask me. But then again I'm not an expert on credit card transactions and the details needed/given when they take place, in fact, I know nothing.

It didn't sound like the sort of thing that I would expect, either, but when I asked if the detectives had been dealing with a higher number of fraud cases in the last 2 or so weeks, she said that what they were dealing with at this time was unprecedented. She said they were swamped, which is unusual for this time of year, and even higher than during holidays. I think there may be a connection, but I can't be certain.

 

[Radelaide]

Unless the PSN/SOE networks are the only places you put in your CC details, there's a good bet that it might have been stolen elsewhere. But, it could hardly be a coincidence either.

If you've reported it to the police, contact the CC companies, too. They might be able to do something (If the police haven't already done so)

 

[The Last Nomad]

I wouldn't be so quick to blame Sony (You should be blaming the hackers anyway but I get your point, this PSN fiasco is what you blame). I havn't heard of anyone else being affected, and I doubt thinks would start with one person. If the details did get out, then I'm sure a lot of people would start losing money straight away.
And getting credit cards set up in your name doesn't really sound like something that would happen in this situation if you ask me. But then again I'm not an expert on credit card transactions and the details needed/given when they take place, in fact, I know nothing.

It didn't sound like the sort of thing that I would expect, either, but when I asked if the detectives had been dealing with a higher number of fraud cases in the last 2 or so weeks, she said that what they were dealing with at this time was unprecedented. She said they were swamped, which is unusual for this time of year, and even higher than during holidays. I think there may be a connection, but I can't be certain.

Like I said, I know jack shit about this sorta thing, but I am a little worried, but until I hear some definite news about the subject or my bank account starts dropping dramatically (nothing seemed outta place on my last bank statement thank fuck) I don't think theres much I will do about it. But its good to know that some stuff is happening, unfortunately at your expense. It does make me a bit more wary.

 

[daftnoize]

Someone from a Chinese location 'hacked' into my email account repeatedly apparently (I'm from England) and I got a few emails from folks wondering about whether I could stock their sports equipment...

I've been getting really wierd emails and spam is being sent from my account. Do you know the best way to get into contact with sony (I'm from the uk too)?