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September 16th, 2020
Not worried about PlayStation or PlayStation Plus scams? You should be! Whether you’re a gamer or it’s your children, nephews and nieces, or other family members using PlayStation Plus, your entire network, and financial livelihood could be put at risk. Don’t let the gamer in your life get scammed through one wrong move!
What is PlayStation Plus?
Playstation.com defines PlayStation Plus, as “… a subscription service that enhances your PSN account and helps you to get the most out of your PS4 system.” Even if you aren’t a gamer, chances are that you know someone who is and, if they use PS4, they’re probably already using PlayStation Plus … or want to. The draw to the “Plus” benefits is the online playing element, monthly “Plus” games, auto game patch download from rest mode, game trial access, additional online storage (100GB), and more!
What Are the Top PlayStation Plus Scams?
Fake Free Trials
Yes, there are real “Plus” free trials, but they are only for users who have never tried PlayStation Plus before. To use the free trail, gamers will need to enter their credit card details and turn “wallet auto-funding” to “on”. Upon their free trial ending (if they don’t cancel), a monthly subscription will automatically begin.
How This Can Be a Scam: PS4 frequently encounter fake free trial emails and links which actually send them to outside phishing websites that steal their information. This stolen information will be sold on the dark web or used to buy purchases with your credit cards. Neither option is great.
Stolen Account Login
A friend, family member, or stranger might be using your account! Maybe you entered your PS4 information on a friend’s device or had it hacked … unwillingly giving a stranger or scammer access to your login details.
How This Can Be a Scam: The person who is using your login details can mess up your games, renew when you don’t want to, or impersonate you online.
Friend Alert!
Online games can be fun, as you get to connect and chat with real people.
How This Can Be a Scam: Your underage family member might be connected to a human trafficker, pedophile, criminal, or someone who has no right to know someone under the age of 18. Children, tweens, and teens notoriously share their name, school, and even address. Beware! Find out who your underage family members have connected with when online gaming.
Romance Scam
Ask the gamers you know if they’ve ever encountered a catfish and you may hear “yes”. Gamers become quick friends and you may be connected with someone using a fake persona.
How This Can Be a Scam: Not all catfish are after your money. Some want connection and love but fear you won’t like their real identity. Beware and remember, you’re on a game … not a dating site!
Fake Cheats
Gamers love “cheats” that might better their standing in their game. Beware: These “cheats” may download malware instead.
How This Can Be a Scam: When you download a “cheat” or “hack” to do better on PS4, you could be downloading malware which invades your home network and exposes your financial data, password and login details, and even your SSN!
To stay safe when gaming, share this article with any gamers you know and consider how much you trust your online connections. Use hard to guess passwords and don’t download from site URLs that you don’t know. Check the real “reply-to” email address from PlayStation Plus emails you receive and never send private data by email.
Social Catfish is Here to Help You with PlayStation Plus Scams!
Ready to know if you’re being scammed? Go to Social Catfish and discover how we catch scammers, catfish, and hackers on the web! Using our high-powered algorithm-based search, you can expose the methods that scammers use and keep your data and family safe! Search by name, email address, username, phone number, and photograph today!
