My PS4 was stolen yesterday. Police said they'd like to have the serial number. I also found some stories online of PS4's that were located when turned on after they were reported stolen. I called with Sony customer support here in my country (Netherlands), they confirmed the police can get in touch with them about this but according to the call agent, the serial number isn't on the box. She didn't sound too informed though and not very sure of this.There's a sticker on my box with three bar codes and three series of letters/digits.
First one starts with P, then 8 numbers, then a E. Second starts with an S, then 9 numbers, then a G. Last one says 'POS BAR CODE' and has 10-12 numbers on (depening if you count two numbers spaced quite far away from the central digits).
I've looked online but could only find an example of what a US box sticker looks like, which explicitly mentions the serial number.I'm not expecting much and insurance will cover (most of) the damage, but it would be neat if the asshole who broke in my appartment could get caught thanks to this. On the boxSerial number: The serial number is 11 characters long. It begins with the letters 'MB' and ends with 9 numbers and is located below the bar code on the bottom of the box. In the example to the right, the serial number is in the yellow box and is MB876687266Model number: The model number is located in two places on the bottom of the back, near the bar codes. It begins with CUH and is followed by a dash, 4 numbers and a letter.
In the example to the right, the model number is in the boxes and is CUH-1001A. This happened to me at the start of the year; I needed a bit of back-and-forth to try to find serials and details. If it's any encouragement, they did actually manage to track down the PS4 through PSN signins; my system is now unfortunately tied up in the legalese around whether it can be returned (I'm not all that fussed, it's replaced now, but it's been interesting to see how it all works).Sony were remarkably helpful, I have to say. One unusual request I had from the police officer, actually, was to ask Sony if they had any records of the system being connected to the internet, and I didn't think Sony would be willing to release that information to me, but they were.(I gather the formal process is that once there's reasonable proof that the unit is yours, the police officer can open a dialogue directly with Sony/MS for this process on specialised channels.
For the record, the thief wasn't using it themselves, but sold it in a pub, apparently! I do have some sympathy for the purchaser, who was just getting his kid a Christmas present, if not through the most. Reasonable of channels.)I haven't had quite the same luck with the Xbox One, unfortunately, but it's all still continually ongoing. I don't know the exact restrictions, but I never felt that Sony or Microsoft were particularly unhelpful and obstructive.
I think the way it works out in real terms is that the legal consequences fall under the heading of 'wasting police time' for the accuser if the accused can prove ownership.The complexity - as I took it from the officer, and that's filtered through my own understanding, so there may be mistakes - is if the current owner of the system is reasonably of the understanding that it was purchased in good faith.The officer agreed with you in spirit, actually, but I can understand the difficulty. The purchaser is a victim too. This happened to me at the start of the year; I needed a bit of back-and-forth to try to find serials and details.
If it's any encouragement, they did actually manage to track down the PS4 through PSN signins; my system is now unfortunately tied up in the legalese around whether it can be returned (I'm not all that fussed, it's replaced now, but it's been interesting to see how it all works).Sony were remarkably helpful, I have to say. One unusual request I had from the police officer, actually, was to ask Sony if they had any records of the system being connected to the internet, and I didn't think Sony would be willing to release that information to me, but they were.(I gather the formal process is that once there's reasonable proof that the unit is yours, the police officer can open a dialogue directly with Sony/MS for this process on specialised channels. For the record, the thief wasn't using it themselves, but sold it in a pub, apparently! I do have some sympathy for the purchaser, who was just getting his kid a Christmas present, if not through the most. Reasonable of channels.)I haven't had quite the same luck with the Xbox One, unfortunately, but it's all still continually ongoing. We'll see what happens! Sony told me police can get in touch with them and try to figure it out.
Ps4 Controller Serial Number Location
I'll definitely hand the MAC address over to the police, if they in turn relay this info to Sony, I assume all has been done to be able to track the PS4 if someone goes online with it.On a sidenote, sucks to not have wrapped up three sandbox games yet (Witcher 3, MGSV, Fallout 4) and probably lose the progress. Can't say I'm motivated to re-play all that stuff in Witcher and MGSV again, will probably restart F4 though. Quite random: thief took two controller but left the 3rd on the couch, took some games, but not all of them.
Might've been in a real hurry or worried he'd be detected. They only actually located it comparatively recently (I think late August?). Lots of red tape to jump through since they had to get IP details confirmed with ISPs and stuff, and I believe that all requires warrants.I have to admit, I've no idea quite what's happening now with it; it's been a while since the last update. As I mentioned upthread, I'm not in any particular hurry.
Although I'd quite like to get it back before the resale value completely tanks (provided I'm not tempted to just give it to my parents; there's a PS3 there currently acting as a blu-ray option for them, and gaming for me when I visit. An upgrade isn't necessarily amiss). I'm pretty sure Sony would know the mac and the serial number. If not the mac then definitely the serial number, that's most likely how they can differentiate which console is your primary and which is your secondary, if you own two consoles that is. You can see all your owned Sony devices when you log into your SEN account. My PS3 and PS4 are there automatically but I had to enter my Bravia TV serial number manually.
So they definitely know all those devices belong to me. Also if he can find the mac address of the ps4 in his logs it's more proof the console belongs to him once it eventually goes online and is flagged by Sony as stolen. I'm pretty sure Sony would know the mac and the serial number.
If not the mac then definitely the serial number, that's most likely how they can differentiate which console is your primary and which is your secondary, if you own two consoles that is. You can see all your owned Sony devices when you log into your SEN account. My PS3 and PS4 are there automatically but I had to enter my Bravia TV serial number manually. So they definitely know all those devices belong to me. Also if he can find the mac address of the ps4 in his logs it's more proof the console belongs to him once it eventually goes online and is flagged by Sony as stolen.
To register a PS4 online, it asks for a 17 digit serial number. However, I've looked at the back of my PS4 slim and there is no sign of any serial number.
Ps3 Serial Number Location
Where exactly do you find the serial number? It should be an 11 digit number on the back by the barcode. Flip your PS4 upside down to read it. Should start with an M. Alternatively, it will be on the box it came in. I flipped my PS4 upside down.
Console Serial Number Ps4
There is no serial number on it. Im pretty sure there is no serial number on the console itself. It's not on the back or underneath it. Also, on the box, there isn't any number that starts with an M.