160,000 Nintendo accounts hacked

Bad news for those who have been using their Nintendo game systems to pass the time while stuck at home.

The video game company has announced that 160,000 accounts have been hacked.

There had been warnings from users on social media over the past week.

Nintendo confirmed that the hacking started at the beginning of April, PC World reported.

Hackers were able to get into Nintendo Network IDs without permission with many buying Fortnite’s virtual currency known as V-Bucks, CNN reported.

The hackers were able to also see birthday, country and email address, and could access payment services like PayPal or credit cards linked to buy items on Nintendo’s online store.

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The Nintendo Network ID was used on Wii U and older Nintendo 3DS systems but was able to be linked on the Nintendo Switch consoles, according to CNN.

Nintendo is reaching out to customers whose accounts were affected, telling them to change their passwords. If players use the Nintendo ID they are being told to use the email to log in instead and also set up two-step verification, CNN reported.

For instructions on how to set it up, click here.

Cox Media Group