A class action settlement has been reached with Sony regarding the unauthorized attacks or “intrusions” that happened on Sony’s computer network in April of 2011. This includes all Playstation Network, Qriocity, and Sony Online Entertainment services during the time of the attack. Furthermore, this includes any user that had a PSN account, a Qriocity account, or an SOE account any time before May 15th, 2011.
Approximatley 77 milion accounts were stolen in the Playstation Network outage back in April 2011 which was caused by an external intrusion that forced Sony to shut down the PSN for nearly a month. April 20th to May 15th of 2011 will forever be known as the Great Playstation Network Outage of 2011 that reportedly cost Sony $171 million dollars in lost revenue and made their users fear for their online safety. Sony offered their customers free games and even Playstation Plus perks to console their users and their trust for the company. However, a class action lawsuit was filed in regards for gamer’s frustration and Sony settled for a reported $15 million.
Sony is maintaining that they are not accountable for any wrongdoing. If you were an account holder of any of these services during this time then you are entitled to some benefits, depending on what kind of account you had at the time. According to the class action settlement notification I received, those terms are as follows:
•Payment equal to paid wallet balances (if $2 or more) in PSN or SOE accounts that have been inactive since the Intrusions,
•One or more of the following: a free PS3 or PSP game, 3 free PS3 themes, or a free 3-month subscription to PlayStation Plus (once valid claims exceed $10 million, class members will still be eligible for one free month of PlayStation Plus),
•A free month of Music Unlimited for Qriocity account holders who did not have a PSN account,
•$4.50 in SOE Station Cash (amounts will be reduced proportionally if valid claims exceed $4 million).
Additionally, if you were one of the unfortunate members of Sony services to be affected by identity theft, you can be reimbursed up to $2,500. This of course would be determined at a later date because reimbursements would be reduced if the valid claims exceed $1 million dollars.
If you had a PSN account and used any of these services during this time you can find more information about the case, the class action settlement, and fill out a claim form to be reimbursed for this situation at WWW.PSNSOESETTLEMENT.COM or by calling 1-877-552-1284.