And you could be entitled to some free stuff

Hey, Canadians, if you happen to have an account on PlayStation Network, Qriocity, or Sony Online Entertainment, then you may be entitled to some free games. Oh joy of joys. See, the PSN-SOE settlement email you may have received today is actually legit. If you don't feel like reading the whole thing, just know that a class action lawsuit filed over the attacks made on PSN back in April 2011 requires Sony to reimburse users with free games.

The email also specifies what benefits you can get based on which category you fall under based on your account type.

WHO'S INCLUDED?



The Class includes everyone who resides in Canada who had a PSN account, a Qriocity account, or an SOE account at any time prior to May 15, 2011.



WHAT DOES THE SETTLEMENT PROVIDE?



There are various benefits, depending in part on what type of account(s) you had:



Inactive PlayStation Network Accountholders:



If you used any of your PSN accounts any time from January 1, 2011 through May 14, 2011, but you did not use them after that through January 24, 2013 because of the Intrusions, you can get a payment equal to any balance of paid virtual currency in your account wallet if that balance is at least U.S. $2.



Active PlayStation Network Accountholders:



a) If you paid other companies for certain media services that you could not access through the PSN during the PSN outage from April 20 through May 14, 2011, you can get 3 free PS3 themes or a 50% discount on PlayStation Plus for 3 months. Up to U.S. $100,000 in total benefits will be available, on a first-come, first-served basis.



b) If you participated in the PSN "Welcome Back" program that followed the April 2011 service outage, you can get either a free game for your PS3 or PSP, 3 free PS3 themes, or a 50% discount on PlayStation Plus for 3 months. If you did not participate in the PSN "Welcome Back" program, you can submit a claim for two of the above benefits. Up to U.S. $1 million in these benefits will be available, on a first-come, first-served basis; claimants who file claims thereafter can get a 50% discount on PlayStation Plus for one month.



Qriocity Accountholders:



If you were not a PSN accountholder but you had a Qriocity account at the time of the April 2011 service outage, you can get one free month of Music Unlimited.



Inactive Sony Online Entertainment Accountholders:



If you used any of your SOE accounts at any time from January 1 through May 14, 2011, but you did not use them after that through January 24, 2013 because of the Intrusions, you can get a payment equal to any balance of paid virtual currency in your account wallet if that balance is at least U.S. $2.



Active Sony Online Entertainment Accountholders:



You can get a deposit of U.S. $4.50 in "Station Cash" into that account, usable for SOE digital products and services. Deposits will be reduced proportionally if total deposits exceed U.S. $240,000 in benefits.



Identity Theft Reimbursement Claims:



If you incurred out-of-pocket charges due to actual identity theft and submit documentation proving by a preponderance of the evidence that the intrusion(s) directly and proximately caused the identity theft, you can submit a claim for reimbursement up to $2,500. Reimbursements will be reduced proportionally if the amount payable on all valid claims exceeds U.S. $90,000.

So what do you do to claim these benefits? You've got two options. One, you can call 1-877-389-4482 , or two, fill out a claim form. The form has also specifies between account holders who participated in the "Welcome Back" program and those who didn't. The deadline starts 60 days after the settlement becomes effective, so don't wait.

