Discussion on Deactivating Accounts and Securing Personal Information After PlayStation 5 and Xbox Theft
A recent incident involving the theft of a PlayStation 5 and Xbox has sparked a discussion on how to handle such situations. Users are concerned about remote deactivation, location tracking, and the need to file a police report. Multiple users have reported their consoles being stolen, with varying levels of worry regarding their accounts, game saves, and consoles.
One user shares their experience, saying, "I had my Xbox and PS5 stolen. Is there any way to remotely deactivate both consoles? I changed the password, but I don't want them to gain access to my account." Another user asks if changing the password would render their PlayStation 5 useless.
While some users suggest that deactivating accounts might prevent unauthorized access, others emphasize that this won't help in recovering the stolen consoles. One user advises, "Contacting Sony and Microsoft with proof of purchase and serial numbers might be helpful, but don't expect a replacement console. Report the theft to the police and change your locks."
Another user writes, "Report the theft to the police. Even if the thieves attempt to sell the stolen consoles, they will be apprehended." In a separate reply, someone shares a success story of recovering a stolen Xbox by cooperating with a pawn shop.
Concerning the sale of stolen consoles to pawn shops, a user questions, "How can stolen consoles be sold to pawn shops? Don't they have to check serial numbers and other identification?" They express more concern about consoles being sold to pawn shops than unauthorized access to their accounts, especially if the stolen consoles were rendered useless.
Disagreeing with the notion that personal information is less important than game saves, another user replies, "You should be equally concerned about both." They suggest that companies should have the same security measures as individuals and recommend enabling two-factor authentication as an easy way to protect accounts.
Providing insights from working at a pawn shop, another user advises, "The first thing you should do is contact local shops with the serial numbers to inquire about the stolen consoles." They also mention that even if the shop is required to check serial numbers, they might not be doing so, and it's possible to track who has checked the serial numbers from the stolen device.
Another user suggests, "I recommend changing your passwords, but I advise against rendering the consoles useless unless absolutely necessary. Involve the police and contact support." They explain that changing the password of a PlayStation account will log it out of all devices, so turning the consoles into paperweights may require police involvement and contacting support.
Questioning the motive behind the theft, another user writes, "I would also ask why your place was targeted. It seems like you know the perpetrators, and they know you." They inquire whether the user suspects someone they know or if it could be a case of mistaken identity. "Turning your PSN into a paperweight might seem extreme, but you should consider why your place was targeted and if it could involve someone familiar," they suggest.
Continue reading the rest of the discussion below.