Steam Dealing & Securing Guide
An informational thread aiming to assist users with understanding how to trade Steam-related content on EpicNPC.
Basic Securing Knowledge
Transferring ownership with Steam accounts is very similar to most other types of virtual accounts in the sense that you need to change the account's credentials after successfully logging in. Updating the password and the current email (if needed) should do the trick. Other useful details include verifying the email, removing connected devices/accounts (family sharing), enabling Steam Guard, and authorizing mobile/desktop authentication. Be cautious when granting third-party websites access to your account; the wrong websites will steal your account data after "signing in". And of course, store account information in a convenient place to avoid any issues on your end.
To learn more about fundamental Steam account security, I recommend resourcing the following links:
Account | Breach Prevention
Account | Desktop Authenticator
Account | Third Party Sign-In Scams
Important Security Details
These features do not deem an account 100% safe. However, having more (and especially the oldest forms) of the following information increases the likelihood of proving to Steam Support that you’re the person who created the account. Sellers should state the inclusion of these details in their sales threads.
- Steam Username (Login) » The unique username used to login to your Steam account. Make sure this is censored to the public eye. Understand that anybody who has knowledge of your Steam username can lock or compromise your Steam account with methods as simple as a report or login attempt.
- Original Email (OGE) » Email that the account was registered with — Having original email access is preferred, having original email knowledge is recommended. Visit this thread for more information.
- Proof of Purchases (PoPs) » Billing Address, Phone Number, Last 4 Digits of Credit Card, First and Last Name, PayPal/Webmoney transaction IDs, etc. — The older the purchase, the better the info. You can find your account's purchase history at store.steampowered.com/account/history (note: any card information listed on this page is partially censored).
- Game Activation Keys / Wallet Codes (CDKeys) » Letter/number codes used to activate games on Steam — With old accounts it is highly recommended to have pictures of these, or the physical copies themselves. These CDKeys are typically from old Valve-created franchises such as the Counter-Strike series or the Half-Life series. You can find your account's CDkey activation history at store.steampowered.com/account/licenses (note: specific CDKey codes are not listed on this page).
CDKeys | Example Image of a Physical Copy
CDKeys | Formatting and Applicable Games
Steam Support Information
By marketing Steam products, you understand that accounts can be pulled back or locked through Steam Support at any time.
This is because Steam Support collects all data tied to your Steam profile when considering you as the account creator. This includes the storage of private details - which includes IP addresses, hardware IDs, along with all forms of PoPs - and public information such as nickname changes, comments, chat logs, and overall profile activity. You can have full oge access + all pops + all cdkeys + mobile authentication, yet still fail to prove through Support tickets that you are the account's creator, resulting in the account either staying locked or remaining in another's possession. In most instances, you're trusting the seller's word regarding the account's security information (unless there's valid evidence that the given details are correct - such as the 'Welcome to Steam' email or a previous Support response confirming a CDKey being linked to the account).
On top of this, Steam Support has access to sign into + logout users from their accounts, as well as the ability to blacklist IP addresses. They also occasionally lurk through OGU, so refrain from publicly sharing profile links in onsite sales threads. Avoid exchanging personal information on your Steam profile, as Support will make extensive undercover investigations to search for any evidence against you.
Steam groups are also susceptible to pullbacks. The group can be reported as sold or stolen, and with enough evidence, Steam Support will lock the group or transfer ownership accordingly. These occurrences will ultimately depend on the legitimacy of the previous group owner(s).
- If you are ever caught in a situation where you need to file a ticket to Steam Support, send messages with confidence. Provide all known security information about the Steam account, and communicate as if you are the account's creator.
- To best prevent these situations from occurring in the first place, purchase from trusted sellers who show no indications of locking/pulling their accounts, as well as take note of where you are signing in from and what devices you are signing in with.
- Don't pour all your valuables onto purchased accounts. This includes high-tier Steam IDs and groups, expensive virtual skins, and extensive game statistics/data.
Steam Support | Account Issues and Recovery
Steam Support | Providing Proof of Ownership
Additional Resources
There are certain tools you can utilize to find account data such as unique SteamID*, “value” based on its games, ban history, connected accounts, etc. Even examining past Steam nicknames, profile pictures, and friends can pinpoint how reputable a Steam account is. Make sure to keep a close eye on any suspicious activity involved with a Steam account.
*A “SteamID” is unique and permanently attached to every Steam account. Digit is the length of the SteamID — the lower it is, the older the account. For example, a 3-digit SteamID, such as STEAM_0:1:234, is lower than a 5-digit one, such as STEAM_0:1:23456.
Steam groups also have their own unique group IDs, or GIDs. Use steamcommunity.com/gid/(GID number) to find Steam groups based off their GID.[/size]
To learn more about a Steam account's unique profile data, I recommend resourcing the following links:
Profile Data | SteamDB.info
Profile Data | VACBanned.com
Profile Data | SteamRep.com
Profile Data | SteamID.uk
Additionally, there are users who try and sell unicoded Steam groups at a normal Steam group price. These groups look real, but unicode characters ultimately diminish a group's value. Check for illegitimate characters to prevent any unicode scams.
To learn more about inspecting fraudulent text, I recommend resourcing the following links:
Fake Text | Unicode Detector
Fake Text | Character Checker
Conclusion and Final Notes
Use extreme caution and common sense when dealing in the Steam marketplace. Ask questions and look for high quality users to exchange with. Part of the deal is exchanging away your assets and if you aren’t comfortable with what you’re dealing, then don’t carry out the deal.
Understand that trading Steam accounts is against the Steam Subscriber Agreement and may result in a pullback, community ban, or lock to your account at anytime; deal accordingly. Your account is never 100% safe as Steam Support ultimately controls your account’s standing.
If you have any questions/suggestions, feel free to contact me.
