2011 PSN hack class action settlement claim forms available

PlayStation Network members affected by the 2011 hack and downtime can now claim part of a $15 million settlement.

The PSN was down for months on end in 2011 following a major hack, which resulted in user details being compromised.

Sony apologised and provided free games as compensation, but unhappy gamers banded together in a class action suit. The suit was settled in July last year, but eligible parties can now start claiming their slice.

If you're a US resident and to have had an active PSN account before May 15 2011, you can head on over to the PSN-SOE Settlement website to make your claim. Benefits include free games, subscription time and more, depending on what kinds of Sony services you were using at the time of the hack and what consequences it had for you.

Note that if you don't make a claim in this settlement you will be barred from future proceedings against Sony over this matter.

Shortly after this settlement was announced a dodgy scam site popped up attempting to phish your PSN log-in, but this one seems to be legit - you have to mail off a form that doesn't ask for your password, and the site is being run by a claims administration firm rather than someone masquerading as Sony itself. Still, if you have any doubts, do a bit of investigating; I'm no expert on US law.