Anyone who plays CSGO already knows the amount of value certain skins can possess. If there is value in anything, there will always be scammers who are trying to steal this from you. When it comes to CS:GO and your Steam account, scammers will attempt to get your skins and money for free by tricking you in a number of possible ways.
There are many different types of scams, and this guide will explain all about them to prepare you and make sure you never get scammed while enjoying the game of Counter-Strike Global Offensive. These are all of the most popular types and how to deal with each.
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Top Steam Scam Methods
As you know, CS GO is a game that is launched through Steam and works based on the platform. In fact, every scam related to CSGO in any way happens through Steam. This is where scammers will find you and attempt to steal all the items in your inventory. In such a case, you may send a reply to Steam support or read this guide to be prepared in any similar situation you find yourself.
Steam Account Phishing
These scamming methods are among the simplest but most dangerous of all. A phishing scam happens by clicking on a simple link that was designed by other users to mislead you. Someone may send you a link from a website that appears identical to Steam to check out something.
When you click on this link, it requires you to type in your login info such as your email, username, and password. This gives the scammers everything they need to know to enter your account and steal everything inside. After you give out your information, you have immediately become a casualty of this scamming method and you will never hear a reply back from them.
PayPal Fraud
This type of CSGO scam takes place outside the Steam site. It happens when you are trying to buy or sell items. It usually includes someone not sticking to their promise, and not sending the payment or skin.
To avoid being tricked with PayPal, try to convince the other user to send the goods first. If the transaction is successful, there is still the risk of chargebacks. PayPal does have certain security measures, but it's still lacking features. Try using Skrill or a Direct Bank Transfer. This should make the issue go away.
Steam Wallet Scam
The Steam Wallet trick is one of the most common ways scammers get free CSGO items. It's extremely easy to create and it works like a charm when they target fairly new players. It works by receiving a message with a trade link saying that your Steam account will be credited an $X amount of money for one or more of your items.
First, many new players aren't aware that you can't send and receive money on Steam. However, they get duped and tricked into accepting the trade offer the scammers have sent. They send their items and get no money in return. Luckily, it's very easy to dodge these users. You have to remember that you can't receive money on the site.
Fake CS:GO Gambling Site
A person who claims they are the moderator or owner of a popular CS:GO gambling sites finds their victims in Steam groups, on a CSGO team, or other places. They then ask the victim to send them high-value items to be featured on their gambling or trading website. They promise the victim they will return the item immediately after it has been featured on the site. However, that never happens if it is in the hands of a scammer.
Similarly to this, never trust any users that you don't know who claim to get you some kind of reward. Don't share any login information with them, and don't install any software they send which will make you a patsy of software scams.
What Do I Do If I Get Scammed in CSGO?
A scam can be impossible to avoid if you don't know how or aren't aware that you're being scammed in the first place. Users with experience with a scammer usually know what it's like to deal with those people and have a better chance of avoiding them and their activity.
The first rule you must remember as a CSGO player and a Steam user is to never, ever, share your username and password, or any other sensitive information with anyone, no matter if they are suspicious of a scam or not. That is sensitive data meant only for you and no one else. Second, always use Steam Guard and don't turn it off no matter what friends or any other user may ask you to do.
There are countless types of scams that can pop up on the Steam marketplace. It's important to be aware of each, which is how you can use this guide to learn and prevent any user or website from tricking you. Lastly, if someone does get the best of you, you can contact Steam email support and hope they will fix the problem and return the items you lost in the scam. Use this article as a way to learn how to prevent rather than to fix.
