# I Just Got This Email From Playstation Network... **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [March 25, 2011, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-got-this-email-from-playstation-network/575956 "2011-03-25T12:59:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2011, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-got-this-email-from-playstation-network/575956/1 "2011-03-25T12:59:39Z")
This is too funny. I’ll copy and past it verbatim (this is a genuine email, mind you) and see if you can find the funny part! Add [PlayStation\_Network@playstation.innovyx.net](mailto:PlayStation_Network@playstation.innovyx.net) to your address book =================================== PlayStation(R)Network =================================== An important message to you from the PlayStation(R)Network team at Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC. On April 1, 2011, Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC (“SCEA”) will transfer its online services operations, including your wallet and the funds in it, to Sony Network Entertainment America Inc. (“SNEA”). The first time you sign in to your Sony Online Services account on or after April 1, you will be asked to enter into a new Terms of Service and User Agreement with SNEA. If you do not wish to enter into a contract with SNEA, you may decline the terms of service and we will close your account(s) and return your funds. You can preview the new Terms of Service and User Agreement with SNEA at: [http://playstation.innovyx.net/r?xncJWvvEcWlJcqEHWvqnPvcWcnH](http://playstation.innovyx.net/r?xncJWvvEcWlJcqEHWvqnPvcWcnH) PlayStation(R)Network will continue to provide you with the highest standard of interactive entertainment. Your access to the best games, movies, TV shows, music and friends will remain intact. Thank you very much for being part of the PlayStation(R)Network online community! We look forward to continuing to bring you the best in innovative online entertainment! Your PlayStation(R)Network password and Sign-on ID (xxxxxxxx) is required to sign in to your Sony Online Services account. Please go to \>\> [http://playstation.innovyx.net/r?xncJWvvEcWlJcnEHWvqnPvcWcPT](http://playstation.innovyx.net/r?xncJWvvEcWlJcnEHWvqnPvcWcPT) to ensure your account information is accurate and updated. The PlayStation(R)Network Team =================================== LEGAL “PlayStation” and the “PS” Family logo are registered trademarks and “PS3” and “PlayStation Network” are trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (C) 2011 Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC. Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC 919 E. Hillsdale Blvd., Foster City, CA 94404 ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2011, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-got-this-email-from-playstation-network/575956/2 "2011-03-25T13:27:44Z")
> [@](#): > > including your wallet > and the funds in it WTF? ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2011, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-got-this-email-from-playstation-network/575956/3 "2011-03-25T14:08:55Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > WTF? Heh. You have a “virtual wallet” that represents the money you’ve loaded into the account with a credit card, and which you can use to buy games or other DLC. Once you use that up, you need to approve transferring in more money before you can buy anything else. XBox and Wii have similar things but they convert the money to points rather than telling you the exact dollar amount, which is what PSN does. ---
**Author:** ![Stormcrow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/0ea827/32.png) [@Stormcrow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stormcrow)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2011, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-got-this-email-from-playstation-network/575956/4 "2011-03-25T14:09:05Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > WTF? On the Playstation network, you prepay for things by charging a set amount off of a credit card - this goes into a virtual “wallet” from which funds are drawn when you buy things. This avoids multiple charges for things like 99 cent avatars or $2 PS3 wallpaper. So it makes sense to me… (or, what Ferret Herder said…) ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2011, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-got-this-email-from-playstation-network/575956/5 "2011-03-25T14:14:01Z")
> [@Stormcrow](#): > > On the Playstation network, you prepay for things by charging a set amount off of a credit card - this goes into a virtual “wallet” from which funds are drawn when you buy things. This avoids multiple charges for things like 99 cent avatars or $2 PS3 wallpaper. > > So it makes sense to me… > > (or, what Ferret Herder said…) That may be so but the way that’s worded is…interesting. It looks like something a disgruntled employee added to an official release as a parting shot to a company before quitting. Or a bad Wikipedia edit. Or something. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2011, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-got-this-email-from-playstation-network/575956/6 "2011-03-25T14:15:32Z")
“April 1st” Gotcha! ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2011, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-got-this-email-from-playstation-network/575956/7 "2011-03-25T14:21:35Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > “April 1st” > > Gotcha! You know what? I didn’t even make that connection! Silly me, Trix are for kids. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Torque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Max\_Torque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Torque)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2011, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-got-this-email-from-playstation-network/575956/8 "2011-03-25T15:18:52Z")
[QUOTE=Stormcrow] On the Playstation network, you prepay for things by charging a set amount off of a credit card - this goes into a virtual “wallet” from which funds are drawn when you buy things. This avoids multiple charges for things like 99 cent avatars or $2 PS3 wallpaper. So it makes sense to me… [/QUOTE] [Sorta](http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2007/3/2/). ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2011, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-got-this-email-from-playstation-network/575956/9 "2011-03-25T16:10:52Z")
Well, you don’t have to preload. It can do it all in one step, which is what I do. I do prefer the Sony model over the other two, as it seems like there’s never any way to get the points to match up with what you want to buy without having money left over. ---
**Author:** ![fiddlesticks](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiddlesticks/32/18129_2.png) [@fiddlesticks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fiddlesticks)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2011, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-got-this-email-from-playstation-network/575956/10 "2011-03-25T18:24:39Z")
I got this email too. I’ve never owned a Sony Playstation. I think it is because I signed up for and hardly used a Sony DRM-laded music service (since extinct) at one point. ---
**Author:** ![Balance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balance)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2011, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-got-this-email-from-playstation-network/575956/11 "2011-03-25T19:16:57Z")
While mildly amusing in content, I would assume this is a phishing attempt. I advise you not to click the links. It would be really stupid of Sony to have an operation like this handled on a domain that’s not associated with the company. Even if it were legit, net-savvy users will avoid it like the plague because emails telling you to enter your password on a separate domain are _always_ scams. (Not, you understand, that I don’t think Sony does stupid things, especially on the net. Stupidity is their specialty. This is above and beyond, though.) ---
**Author:** ![fiddlesticks](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiddlesticks/32/18129_2.png) [@fiddlesticks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fiddlesticks)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2011, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-got-this-email-from-playstation-network/575956/12 "2011-03-25T20:16:07Z")
It’s a legit email. Not a scam or phishing ploy. > **[PlayStation® Official Site: Consoles, Games, Accessories & More](https://www.playstation.com/en-us/)** > > Explore the new generation PlayStation 4 and PS5 consoles - experience immersive gaming with thousands of hit games in every genre to rewrite the rules for what a PlayStation console can do. Thought perhaps April 1st was not the day to roll out this change… 🙂