With Steam Wallet money, users of the well-known online gaming platform
Steam may easily buy games and in-game gifts. There are several ways to add more money to these accounts,
one of which is with Steam Gift Cards.
Sadly, scammers take advantage of the popularity of Steam Gift Cards by using them in dishonest ways known as "Steam Card Scams."
How do Steam Card scams work?
There are several ways scammers exploit Steam gift cards:
Impression: Scammers often pretend to be legitimate entities like Steam Support, law enforcement agencies, or even game developers. They may contact you via phone, email, or even social media, claiming an urgent issue with your account. To resolve this fake issue, they'll pressure you to purchase Steam Gift Cards and then demand the activation codes on the back. This allows them to steal the card's value and disappear.
Fake Prizes and Giveaways: Scammers may lure you in with fake online promotions promising free games, exclusive items, or even large sums of money. They'll claim you need to pay a processing fee or unlock the prize with a Steam Gift Card. Once you provide the code, they vanish with the funds.
Scam Emails: Scam emails disguised as official Steam communications may try to trick you into clicking malicious links. These links could lead to fake login pages designed to steal your Steam account credentials. Once they have your login and password, they can use your Steam Wallet funds or even sell your account on the black market.
Trading Scams: Online communities where players trade in-game items are also targeted by scammers. They may offer valuable items at ridiculously low prices but request payment in Steam Gift Cards instead of the usual currencies. Once you provide the code, they either disappear with the card value or offer worthless items in return.
Warning to watch out for
Urgency and Pressure: Scammers often create a sense of urgency, urging you to act fast without time to think critically.
Requests for Steam Gift Card codes: Never share the code on the back of a Steam Gift Card with anyone, not even Steam Support. Steam will never ask for this information.
Unofficial communication channels: Steam will only communicate with you through your registered email address or Steam chat. Be wary of uninvited contacts on other platforms.
Suspicious offers: If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Be doubtful of unbelievable deals or prizes requiring Steam Gift Card payments.
Protecting yourself from Steam Card Scams
Be cautious of unrequested contact. Never trust unexpected calls, emails, or messages claiming to be from Steam, law enforcement, or other official entities. Verify the sender's legitimacy through official channels before responding.
Never share Steam gift card codes. The code on the back is like cash; treat it with the same level of security. Don't share it with anyone, not even friends or family who claim they need it for in-game purchases.
Only purchase from authorised retailers: Buy Steam gift cards from reputable stores or directly through the Steam platform. Avoid purchasing them from unknown individuals or online marketplaces.
Verify communication: If unsure about an email or message claiming to be from Steam, don't click any links or download attachments. Instead, contact Steam Support directly through their official website or app.
Enable Steam Guard. Steam Guard is an additional security layer that helps protect your account from unauthorized access. Activate it to significantly increase your account's security.
By staying watchful and recognizing the warnings, you can protect yourself from steam card scams. Remember, Steam will never ask for your Steam Gift Card code, so always think twice before sharing it with anyone. If you suspect a scam attempt, report it to Steam Support immediately.
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