Fraud 101: Video Games

As video games continue to grow in popularity, so do the chances for fraud. As more games require accounts to play – accounts that are often connected to a credit card – the odds of your information being comprised increases.

Like other account breaches, scammers get access through hacking, phishing or malware. Your credit card information may just be icing on the cake; the account itself is usually worth something. Items or in-game currency players have spent months or years collecting can often be resold, with no way to recover the time or money invested.

Here are some ways to protect yourself from gaming fraud:

• Don't give out your account information. Like this 13-year-old learned the hard way, you should never share your login with a stranger, no matter what perks they promise.
• Avoid malware. Don't click on strange links or open files you weren't expecting, and run antivirus software regularly.
• Verify emails about your account. If you get an email out of the blue asking you to reset your password, it's probably bogus. If you have any reason to suspect an email is a phishing attempt, go directly to the website in question and log in there instead of clicking the links.
• Use unique passwords. Don't let a mistake over Candy Crush also give away the keys to your bank account and your email.
• Talk to your kids. If you're a parent with children who game, make sure to warn them about the dangers of sharing personal information online.

If you have a game account that has been hacked or stolen, contact the game company; your credit card issuer, if needed; and the Federal Trade Commission.