BF2S Forums Known Steam Scams

Name:
AUTOMATED MESSAGE

Information: This nasty little scam claims that your account is in danger of being banned / terminated, or that "the steam servers are updating". It'll ask you for your name and password, and as soon as you give them those details your account will be effectively void to you. Be sure not to fall for this - however convincing!


^{Courtesy of Jenspm}

Name:
FREE GAMES

Information: Don't be fooled! It might lead you to a site that'll look just like the STEAM community site, saying that it has new information or even a beta download to new games due on Steam (eg. Half-Life 2: Episode Three). As soon as you enter your details into this, your account will again be effectively void to you. This scam in particular is very convincing, already convincing a few BF2s members (see here); be sure not to fall for it!


^{Courtesy of SP3C}

Name:
VIRUS

Information: This nasty little scam claims that STEAM servers have a 'virus', and that you are required to verify yourself by entering your "correct" details into the message they sent you. Don't be fooled! This scam can also be pretty convincing. The message usually produced is:

Administation would like to inform you that there has been a huge virus outbreak on the Steam network, it is due to this that we have disabled your account and put it into quarantine, please type your account details, in the form
STEAM :
Password :
, so that we may clean your account of any bugs or viruses.

^{Courtesy of Half-Life2.net}

NAME:
ACCOUNT STOLEN

Information: This scam can be particularly convincing because the person who talks to you tries to sound as legitimate as possible. Don't be fooled! This is a scam like any other and they'll take your account. Watch out!

[email protected] says:
Hello, are you there?
[email protected] says:
We apologize for any inconvenience, but due to an email we recently received from: [email protected] we are obligated to contact you. The account has been reported stolen by the alleged original account holder. Steam does not take these types of issues lightly.To clear up this incident and close this case labeled dispute No. 7632143 we need to verify either a CD key or a username and password. If the original CD-key cannot be obtained you may also include the original account holder's full name and address. If you cooperate completely and your account is verified successfully you will receive a game of your choice at the price of $19.99 or lower for your trouble. Again we apologize for any inconvenience. If this information is not submitted within 24 hours of this request your account may be disabled permanently.
-- says:
hello?
[email protected] says:
Your account was reported stolen earlier last week,
[email protected] says:
If we cannot verify you as the original owner it will be disabled shortly.
-- says:
how do i know this is official
[email protected] says:
At this time I can turn off your account.
[email protected] says:
You will recieve an email with 24-48 hours with a new password if you would like.
[email protected] says:
That would be about all the proof I can come up with.
-- says:
this is a fraud, nice try. it says on the very top of the chat window "do not tell your password to anyone!"
[email protected] is now Offline.

^{Courtesy of ocmyface @ XtremeSystems}

NAME:
MULTIPLE IPs

Information: This little scam is also very convincing. It tries to confuse you in that your account has been detected on multiple IPs and is being threatened of termination. Don't be fooled - Steam would never do this!


^{Courtesy of Warrior at HLFallout}

NAME:
XFIRE STEAM ALERT

Information: This little trick, because of its use of (almost) proper grammar (although there are several noticable mistakes) and name can make it seem very legit. They key is to look out for the user's "real" username (in this case - zw125 - clearly nothing to do with Valve).


^{Courtesy of liquidat0r}

Last edited by kylef (2008-04-11 09:26:37)