Steam gift card scams: why no one legit asks you to pay this way
Quick answer
Anyone who tells you to buy a Steam gift card and read out the numbers is a scammer. The FTC says no real business or government agency will ever ask you to pay with a gift card. Stop, keep the card and receipt, and report it to Steam Support.
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How it works
Gift card scams start with a call, text, email or social media message. The scammer tells a story, then tells you which card to buy and where. Steam cards are one they name; the FTC also lists Google Play, Apple and Amazon.
The story changes. The ask doesn't:
- Someone says they're from the government and you owe a fine or taxes.
- A "tech support" caller says your computer has a problem.
- A friend or relative is in an emergency. With voice cloning it can sound just like them.
- You've won a prize, but must pay fees first.
- A romance contact needs money.
- You get a check for too much and are told to send the difference on a gift card.
They want the card number and PIN. With those, they can take the money even if you're still holding the card. Some stay on the phone while you shop. Others send you to several stores so cashiers don't get suspicious.
Red flags
- Anyone telling you to pay with a gift card
- Being told which card to buy and which store to go to
- A request for the card number and PIN, or a photo of the card
- Urgency: pay now or something terrible happens
- A caller who stays on the line while you shop
Example message
I'm calling about a problem with your account. To fix it today, buy a Steam gift card, scratch off the back and read me the code. Don't tell the cashier why you're buying it.
What to do
- 1
Hang up and don't buy the card
Don't read out card numbers or PINs and don't send a photo of the card. Talk to someone you trust before you do anything.
- 2
If you already gave the numbers, report it to Steam now
Use Steam Support to report the scam, and keep the card and the store receipt. The FTC says to report no matter how long ago it happened.
- 3
Ask for your money back
Some gift card companies freeze the money if it's still on the card, and some give it back. It's worth asking.
- 4
Report it to the FTC
Tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Every report helps.
- 5
Protect your accounts if you shared more
If you gave out passwords or personal details, change them and turn on multi-factor authentication. Our guide on what to do after a data breach walks through it.
Report it
Check if your details are exposed with Serus
Scammers find your number and address on data brokers and people-search sites. Serus removes them.
Why you got it
Scammers pick targets from contact lists they buy or find. Your phone number, email and the names of relatives can come from data brokers, people-search sites and old breaches, which is why a message can feel meant for you.
Serus finds where your phone number and address are listed and removes them where it can. It also alerts you when your details appear in a breach.
Frequently asked
Will a real company ever ask me to pay with a Steam gift card?
No. The FTC says gift cards are for gifts, not payments, and no real business or government agency will tell you to pay with one.
I gave the code to a scammer. Can I get the money back?
Report it to Steam through Steam Support right away, with the card and receipt. Ask for your money back. Some companies help, some can't.
How do I buy gift cards safely?
Stick to stores you trust, check the card for tampering and that the PIN isn't showing, and keep a copy of the card and the receipt.
Where else should I report it?
ReportFraud.ftc.gov in the US. Outside the US, report to your country's consumer protection or police fraud service.
Sources
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