Unfortunately, no one is exempt from having their favorite console stolen. Not to mention, these days this doesn’t just mean losing your gaming platform, it can also put your data at risk. Especially with the proliferation of online services and digital games.
That is why here we share a small guide with the steps you can follow if your console is stolen. We also divide it into the three main ones: Nintendo, Xbox and PlayStation, to make it easier for you to find the one that is your case. Although of course we hope you never have to use this guide.
What to do if your PlayStation console is stolen?
If any PlayStation console is stolen, be it 4 or 5, what you have to do is immediately go to its official site. Here you can access your PlayStation Network account and make some necessary settings. The first thing you’ll want to do is unlink it from whatever device was taken.
To do so, you must go to the part that says ‘device management‘. Here you will see all the places where you have entered your PSN account details. At the bottom you will find the option to ‘unlink everyone’. This is best if you want to prevent them from making purchases on your behalf.
In this aspect, you can go to the payment methods part, where we recommend you do a couple of things. First, remove any card numbers you have linked to your account, while you’re back in control. Second: enable the option for the PlayStation store to require a password, which only you will know, to complete any transaction.
Recovering your console and the physical games that were stolen from you will depend on the police. But your digital games remain linked to the account that purchased them. When you have a PlayStation again, all you have to do is log into your account and download the ones you’ve purchased in the past. Assuming they weren’t removed for different rights issues or the like.
If you don’t want to lose your progress in your favorite games, it is recommended to have PS+, since this service allows you to save your progress in the cloud. Otherwise, you will have to go through everything again if your console is stolen. We hope you’re not completely done Crash Bandicoot 4.
What can I do if my Nintendo Switch is stolen?
If what was stolen was a Nintendo Switch console, the process is relatively similar. Through its official site you can enter your account. Once there, you must go to the settings section, where you will find a small section that says ‘store menu’. This is where you should go to change or delete your payment information.
As in PlayStation you have the option to unlink your account from any Nintendo Switch where you have already entered. In the same section of the store, at the bottom, there is an option that says ‘remove main console log’. With one click and entering your password again, your account will be removed from that specific Nintendo Switch.
While you can do all of this yourself if your console is stolen, you can also enlist the help of Nintendo. Through their support service, they can unlink your account themselves. The only thing you will need is the serial number of your Nintendo Switch. So we recommend you have it on hand.
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Obviously if it was stolen you will not be able to see it on the console. However, you can also find it in the box it came in. This is located at the bottom of the box, at the top right. You can still recover your digital games that you bought with your account, although the save data will remain on the console where you played. Unless you have made a previous backup.
What to do if your Xbox console is stolen?
In the case of Xbox you have to go to the Microsoft site to do practically the same process as in the previous ones. Besides that it has the facility that you can know the serial number of your console from the web. No need for the device itself or its box.
On the Microsoft site you will find a section called ‘devices’ where you can find your console. Right at the top right, you will find a small button that says ‘remove device’. When you click there, the site will ask you if you really want to do it. It is only enough to confirm so that your account is safe from people outside of you.
To change the payment method, you must go to the ‘payments and billing’ tab. Here in addition to deleting your methods, you can know your transaction history. This way you can see if they didn’t buy any Microsoft games or services with your stolen console.
Some general recommendations
These were the steps you should follow in case any of your consoles are stolen. Something you must do with absolutely all of them is to change your password immediately. Since we do not know how much time could have passed between the theft and that the thieves could have used it.
It is recommended to activate two-step authentication in all your accounts, this more as a precaution. With this, you will be able to receive passwords exclusively on your cell phone, to which only you have access, to be able to log in on any device.
Also, although it is more laborious for you, Be careful not to store any of your financial information in these accounts. If you are going to buy something in the Xbox, PlayStation or Nintendo digital stores, it is preferable to enter your card details with each purchase. This way you avoid extra stress if your console is stolen.
It should be noted that most current consoles have an option that makes them request a key to use them. Although it may sound annoying, it may be best to activate it, to be prepared in case of falling victim to lovers of others.
Finally, you may want to check out nearby video game stores or even the Facebook marketplace. Perhaps you are lucky that your console appears there. Of course, we recommend you seek the help of the law to recover it.
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