In 2025, there have been increasing reports on the Steam platform about Steam gift card scams. Many victims have been contacted over the phone and pressured to purchase these gift cards to pay for taxes, debts, or even delivery fees for sweepstakes winnings. You can check this link for more information;
https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/09A1-E754-1D86-DDC9
Scammers are now getting more professional in convincing users to disclose their Steam gift card code. But don't worry, there are simple measures you can follow to fight back against these Steam card scams. In this blog, we are going to discuss how you can identify these scams and how to report them immediately!
How to Identify Common Steam Gift Card Scams
Fake Support Staff
One of the most common Steam card scams is the fake report staff where scammers pose as the professional staff from the Steam platform. They claim that your Steam account needs to be verified or will be blocked, if you don't follow our instructions. Remember that Steam platform never calls for verification or asks for account or card code details.
Advance Payment Scam
In an advance payment scam, the fraudster pretends they want to buy your Steam gift card. They might seem very convincing, often offering a high price for it. Then, they ask you to pay a small fee first, usually claiming it’s for something official like:
❗ Tax clearance:
They say the government requires a small tax payment before they can buy the card.
❗ Verification fee:
They say your gift card needs to be verified to ensure it’s valid. The scam works because the upfront amount seems small, so people think it’s safe. Any request for money upfront is a red flag for Steam gift card scam.
Phishing Websites or Fake URLS
You may receive any email or Whatsapp message with a URL and a convincing text message from a scammer. For Instance;
"Hello, I’m interested in buying your $100 Steam card. I can pay ₦180,000 instantly once I confirm the card.
Please use our official verification link to submit the card details. After you enter the code, send me a screenshot of the verification page. There is a small ₦2,000 clearance fee for tax verification before payment can be released. Once you complete it, your full money will drop instantly. Don’t worry, it’s 100% safe , we work directly with Steam"
When you click on that fake link, the next step will ask for the Steam card details. Right after entering these details, they will disappear and you'll lose your card value.
Fake Giveaways
Steam is a popular brand and they always come with a lot of promotions, but it never runs its free giveaways of gift cards and credits. However, there are individual developers on Steam platform who make their games free for limited periods. This happens usually near sales events or any promotional period. That's where scammers get active and creative and start offering free-giveaways. Game lovers can't resist themselves and they are trapped in these Steam card scams. You might be told that you have won a free game, but you just need to share your gift card code for activation purposes.
What Steps Can You Take If You Have Scammed
Don't panic if you already shared your code with the scammer. There are some steps that you can take right away. Here are these;
Contact Steam Support
You can provide Steam support team with all the details of the Steam gift card scam, including screenshots of messages, the scammer’s username, any receipts related to the gift card. While Steam cannot always refund redeemed cards , they can flag suspicious accounts, investigate fraudulent activity, and help secure your Steam account if any information is compromised. Reporting quickly right after an incident also helps protect other users from falling into the same trap.
Report on the Platform Where the Scam Occurred
If the scam took place on a social platform such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Telegram, or email, you should immediately report the scammer’s account to the service provider. These platforms have reporting tools that allow users to flag fraudulent behavior, or phishing attempts. When you report the account, the platform may suspend permanently removing the scammer to prevent further harm.
Report to the Local Authorities
If you experienced financial loss due to the Steam gift card scam, it’s important to report the incident to your local police department. Provide all evidence, including message screenshots, bank transaction records, and gift card details. In some cases, law enforcement agencies work with cybercrime units to track scammers.
Keep Your Steam Gift Card Receipt
If you purchased the physical Steam gift card yourself, always keep the original card and receipt. These items contain important information such as the card’s serial number, activation details, and the store where it was purchased. Steam Support and law enforcement often request these details when investigating a case. Even if the scammer has used the code, the receipt can still help authorities trace the transaction or verify your claim.
FAQ's
How do I know if a Steam gift card buyer is a scammer?
A buyer is likely a scammer if they ask for your card code before payment, request an upfront fee, or direct you to a verification link that doesn’t belong to Steam. Genuine buyers never ask for codes in advance, and Steam never requires verification or clearance fees.
Can Steam refund my gift card if I was scammed?
Steam usually cannot refund a gift card once its code has been redeemed. However, you should still report the Steam gift card scam immediately. Steam Support can investigate the case, secure your account, and block suspicious accounts involved in the scam.
What should I do if I already clicked on a phishing link?
If you click a suspicious link mistakenly, do not enter any personal information. Immediately change your Steam account password, enable Steam Guard, and scan your device for malware. Then report the phishing attempt to Steam Support with screenshots.
What are some common Steam card scams?
Here are some common Steam card scams you should be aware of;
❗ Fake Staff Support
❗ Phishing URL's or Website links
❗ Advance Payment Scam
❗ Fake Giveaways
How Can I Sell Steam Gift Cards?
You can trade gift cards on reputable gift card trading apps like TradeCard. In this way, you will the immediate cash.
