Though there is no point to retell the story, I’m sure many of you are aware of the hacking incident that caused Sony to shut down the PlayStation Network for a month. Before Sony had a chance to shut down their network services in order to keep hackers out, some data was breached. If the group behind the network attacks is to be believed, then 70 million accounts made it into the wild. Till this day, we don’t have any confirmation if anybody’s information has really been accessed or not. However, as part of a Welcome Back package from Sony to coax woe-stricken fans back in and help ensure them of the services, Sony, in collaboration with Debix, decided to provide one-year identity-theft protection, free of charge for PSN and Qriocity users.

 Sony Computer Entertainment and Sony Network Entertainment have made arrangements with Debix to offer AllClear ID PLUS to eligible PlayStation®Network and Qriocity account holders in the United States who are concerned about identity theft.

AllClear ID PLUS is a premium identity protection service that uses advanced technology to deliver alerts to help protect you from identity theft. The service also provides identity theft insurance coverage and hands-on help from expert fraud investigators.

Sony has arranged, at no charge to eligible PlayStation®Network and Qriocity account holders, for twelve months of this service to be provided by Debix to those who choose to enroll. In order to be eligible, account holders must be residents of the United States with active accounts as of April 20, 2011. 

Shortly after Sony was able to bring the PlayStation Network online, emails began to be sent to PlayStation Network users which notified them to change their password, and allowed them to enroll in the free program. However, just like the “Welcome Back package,” neither deal was designed to last forever. Users who wish to participate in the free identity theft protection offer from Sony need to apply by June 28th, after which the free program will end.