There has been a possible security breach of Nintendo Accounts. Users are reporting their accounts have been accessed and used to purchase in-game funds.
I suspect Nintendo may have had a major security breach. My account was accessed numerous times overnight.
My password is a unique string and my PC is definitely clean (not that I ever login via it).
Lots of similar reports on Reddit/twitter.
Unlink PayPal & enable 2FA folks!
— Pixelpar (@pixelpar) April 19, 2020
Multiple users are reporting of unwanted access to their accounts, even though they had strong passwords. From there, the intruders are using their accounts to purchase in-game currency like Fortnite’s V-Bucks.
Intruders Breaching Nintendo Accounts, Purchasing In-Game Currency
While some users are saying their accounts were accessed once, other users are saying their accounts have been accessed dozens of times in only the past few days.
Nintendo has not made clear what has happened, but they have released a statement. To Ars Technica, a Nintendo of America representative said that they are aware of the reports of unauthorized access and are investigating.
There is no clear indication if there has been a security breach or what kind of information could be in the wrong hands. That could include names, payment info, and phone numbers.
What Can You Do To Keep Your Account Safe
There are some different ways on your end to keep your account safe. Changing your password and enabling two-factor authentication will prevent those from accessing your account if they have an older password.
To check no one has access to your account, you can also go to your Nintendo Account’s login history. It will show all the logins that have occurred within the last 30 days.
For the time being, unlinking your PayPay or any credit cards from your account will ultimately keep you safe in the possibility that someone nefarious does access your account. It is a major inconvenience for digital purchasing, but it will keep intruders from purchasing currency.
With more players enjoying their island getaway in Animal Crossing: New Horizons or returning for the final content update for Super Mario Maker 2, a security breach is a serious detractor right now. However, with some effort on your end and Nintendo learning more about the breach, a solution will come soon.
