Steam card gift cards are the perfect gift for gamers. Unfortunately there have been increasing reports of scammers who are trying to scam people pretending to be well-known businesses and send a text or email or sometimes even call demanding to make payment with Steam gift cards.
This is without a doubt one of the dangerous scams out there.
Steam gift cards can only be purchased and activated on the official gaming platform, Steam. The value associated with such gift cards can be used for purchasing video games, in-game items, software, and hardware.
So it becomes clearly evident if you are asked to make payment through Steam cards by any other person you are most likely targeted as a victim to the scam.
What is Steam?
Steam is an online gaming platform that lets users play online video games and also meet people with similar interests and create a community for themselves. They are also allowed to purchase games from the vast range of 30,000 games available on the platform and can be stored on the cloud.
There are millions of gamers on steam who connect online to discuss and play the games of their liking.
What is a Steam card scam?
Steam cards are generally used to buy video games sold by the gaming platform, but in recent times it can be seen as a source for the fraudsters to make money by stealing customers’ credentials, especially those of young gamers who are excited to purchase games for cheaper prices than what they are usually offered on the platform.
The scammers convince people to buy steam gift cards from local retail shops which are much cheaper than the official steam platform and then scratch the code on it and communicate the same to them. By doing this you will be losing all the money in your bank account.
The fraudsters are posing to be legitimate official agencies such as the IRS to persuade victims to comply.
If you were subject to any of the above situations, it is obvious that you were a victim of the scam and it is always advised to report it to an authority deemed fit.
What are the most common Steam card scams?
The PayPal scam
It is one the most popular steam card scams. People often tend to use PayPal to make payment for the games that they purchase. Scammers use this as an opportunity and tell you to buy the steam gift cards for them and in return they would send the money to your PayPal account. In reality, you won’t see a penny in your account and they will make money by sending the codes on those cards to others.
Phishing emails
They are used by the scammers to get access to your account and personal details. The emails which are sent to you look very authentic as if they were sent by Steam and often claim that you have won some bogus prize. They request you to open the link and fill in all your details. Once you login to their website all your credentials are stolen and your account will be drained in no time.
The Steam administrator scam
It is one of the most complex scams involving Steam. The scammer sends you a message on the platform apologizing that they have reported you as a scam and if you don’t want your account suspended, it’s better to message a specific administrator.
On the other end, the same scammer will pose as the administrator and ask you to give account details in order to save it. By doing this you’ll be falling in the trap set up by them and losing all your money in the process.
How to protect yourself from Steam card scams?
If you start looking closely you will start to notice that these scammers give out signs showing that they are fake. The URL that they use makes no sense. So make sure you check the URL and the details of the email sent.
If you are unsure about the link or the text you should directly contact Steam customer care center.
The steam wallet cards can only be used on their official platform. If anyone trying to convince you to use it elsewhere is definitely a scam.
It is always advised never to give out any sensitive information to anyone regardless of however legit they might appear. Make sure to secure your steam account and by doing this you will be protecting yourself from sketchy scammers.
Conclusion
Beware the Steam card scams are on the rise. If you have the slightest doubt, it’s better to turn a blind eye and walk away from it. Stay vigilant and take all the precautions you can to avoid becoming a victim to such shady scams.
Never be hesitant to report the scam to the authorities immediately. As a general rule, if things appear too good to be true, it probably is.
Check out the official warning here.
If you have been scammed on Steam or if you have any information about this scam, please let us know by commenting below.
And if you have lost a significant amount of money to online scams, do not lose hope. We can help you recover your funds!
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I man saying he is a reality star is saying he loves me. Asked me to leave to another website so we can talk personal. He has asked for me to send him Steam cards for payment for private website. He also wants other gift cards from me. He tried to talk me into different ways I could send him gift cards. Romantic scam? Please help me before I lose money,
Dear Patty,
I’m really sorry to hear that you find yourself in this situation. It’s essential to approach such scenarios with extreme caution. Based on what you’ve shared, there are multiple red flags, and this does indeed resemble a type of scam known as a “romance scam,” where fraudsters feign romantic intentions to exploit victims financially.
Here are several immediate steps to consider:
1. Cease All Contact: Do not communicate further with this individual and avoid sharing any personal or financial information.
2. Do Not Send Money or Gift Cards: It’s crucial not to send money, gift cards, or any other form of payment.
3. Report: Notify the appropriate authorities about this encounter. You can report online scams to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and contact your local law enforcement.
4. Enhance Online Security: Update your passwords and enable two-factor authentication where available to protect your accounts.
5. Stay Informed and Educated: Regularly educate yourself about the various types of online scams and the latest tactics used by fraudsters.
Remember, legitimate individuals or companies will never ask for payment via gift cards, and anyone pressing you for such should be treated with suspicion. Always verify independently the identities of individuals you meet online, especially those seeking personal or financial details.
If you feel that you’ve already become a victim or are in immediate danger, please contact your local law enforcement agency right away. Stay safe, and feel free to reach out if you have any more questions or need further assistance.