[ { "id": "ban-review", "label": "Permanent sanction & closed appeals", "summary": "The author reports a permanent account ban, repeated ticket closures and a planned GDPR access request.", "category": "Ban & review", "title": "Permanently banned Steam account without a clear explanation, need help!", "url": "https://www.reddit.com/r/ohnePixel/comments/1hahqx2/permanently_banned_steam_account_without_a_clear/", "text": "Hey everyone,\n\nI’m in a really frustrating situation, and I’m hoping someone here can help me or offer advice. My Steam account was just permanently banned for allegedly violating the Steam Subscriber Agreement, and I have no idea why.\n\n# What Steam Support told me:\n\nThe support message said my account was banned due to:\n\n* Suspicious activities related to transferring or attempting to sell/trade the account.\n* Community reports and other unspecified factors.\n\nThey added that the ban is permanent and that they can't help me further. They also warned that future support requests regarding this ban might be ignored. 😞\n\n# Why I’m contesting this ban:\n\n* I have never sold, traded, or transferred my account. I’ve been the legitimate owner since the beginning.\n* On the day the ban occurred, I did nothing noteworthy that could have triggered such a sanction.\n* I received no prior warning, which feels incredibly unfair.\n\n# What I’ve tried so far:\n\n* Contacting Steam Support: I explained my situation and asked for more details, but they’re sticking to their decision and closing my tickets.\n* I’m preparing a request based on my Right of Access (GDPR) to get all the data related to my account.\n\n# Questions for the community:\n\n1. Has anyone successfully had a permanent ban lifted on Steam?\n2. Are there steps I can take to prove I’m the legitimate owner of the account?\n3. Any advice on how to word my request to convince support to reconsider my case?\n4. Would it be helpful to contact the CNIL (I’m based in France) to force Steam to provide more information?\n\nI’m really desperate at the thought of losing all my games, purchases, and years of playtime. Thanks in advance for any help and advice you can give!\n\nhttps://preview.redd.it/jk9qv0gmhv5e1.png?width=1289&format=png&auto=webp&s=b3a333ebb08ea133e2c8747ba126f5a68283d9f7\n\nhttps://preview.redd.it/4sopt0gmhv5e1.png?width=1022&format=png&auto=webp&s=56195d5336118faf9413f1514ead7e8d24c788c3\n\nhttps://preview.redd.it/eqrxw0gmhv5e1.png?width=996&format=png&auto=webp&s=ff3539d28ab754e513ad471822c5de652920101d\n\nhttps://preview.redd.it/728xz0gmhv5e1.png?width=1034&format=png&auto=webp&s=bc5335673509929669af785aa244bf8d2dc58da8\n\n", "date": "2024-12-09", "source_file": "steam_support_tickets_MEGA.json", "source_row": 294 }, { "id": "support-recovery", "label": "Account recovery & a reported $10,000 loss", "summary": "The author alleges that support reset credentials and removed account protection following another person’s recovery ticket.", "category": "Support access", "title": "Got $10k stollen from steam inventory due to steam' support fault.", "url": "https://www.reddit.com/r/legaladvice/comments/1kipjde/got_10k_stollen_from_steam_inventory_due_to_steam/", "text": "Location: Quebec, Canada.\n\nLast year, someone hacked my Steam account and stole items worth about $10,000 USD. I only noticed this last week. When I talked to Steam Support, they admitted that someone submitted a ticket to make changes on the account and Steam Support reset my password and turned off all my account security.\n\nI asked Steam Support about getting my items back, but they said there was nothing they could do. They told me I should follow their security recommendations.\n\nThe problem is, I did everything they \"suggested\" to protect an account:\n\n* I had two-factor authentication.\n* My phone number was connected to my account.\n* I used Steam Guard.\n* I printed recovery codes and kept them in a safe.\n\nEven though I did all these things, Steam Support still gave someone else access to my account. The stolen items had been in my account since around 2016-2017. Also, I had not logged in for a few years, so I didn’t accidentally give my information to a fake website.\n\nIs there anything I can do, or do I just have to accept losing $10,000 USD?\n\nThanks for your help.", "date": "2025-05-09", "source_file": "steam_support_tickets_MEGA.json", "source_row": 110 }, { "id": "market-loss", "label": "A reported $500+ loss & template replies", "summary": "The author describes an account compromise, disputed transactions and a support response that allegedly did not address the submitted evidence.", "category": "Restoration", "title": "Funds stolen through steam market. Disappointed with Steam response.(or lackthereof)", "url": "https://www.reddit.com/r/DotA2/comments/vt76ov/funds_stolen_through_steam_market_disappointed/", "text": "On 6th July 2022, 44 unauthorized transactions were made on the steam market using my steam wallet funds totalling roughly $500+ USD to buy worthless 1 cent Dota 2 items. This happened during the wee hours in the morning and i contacted them first thing when i woke up. \n\nI have 2FA enabled all the time, and always thought this would not happen to me as I do not go on betting sites/click sketchy links. My account password + emails were not changed, nor did they take my inventory, just that my funds were used illicitly. Also when I went to disable other APIs, it says there are no other APIs to disable. Shows that it wasn't through me clicking sketchy links and leaving my account details there. Would have lost the whole account if i did so.\n\nWhat baffles me is how did they bypass my 2FA to login my account? Why doesn't steam market purchases go through 2FA as well? First time in 9 years that this happened to me. My acc was logged in 'BY' 'Vitebsk' during the illicit purchases but I'm based in Asia I gathered all the screenshots and provided in the ticket to steam support. \n\nAll i got was the standard copy paste template reply by Steam Support. Lost $500+ and was not even worthy of having a proper person to look into this. I dont think they even read or take a look at the screenshots cause if they did, they would have come to the realization that what happened was clearly fraud, and with a few clicks, reverse the unauthorized transactions, refund my wallet and ban the hijacker. \n\n\nOver the years, i've spent quite a fair bit on steam but really, this is the kind of recourse we get when our account is compromised? They just don’t care, sigh. I only expect the bare minimum from Steam and looks like even that is quite far-fetched.\n\nSS: https://imgur.com/a/67frcls \n\nHijacker: https://steamcommunity.com/profiles/76561199141246495\n\nSteam Response: https://imgur.com/a/V6v4maM\n\nI could think of a few ways on how to Improve:\n\n1) Add 2FA to market transactions. (even if its bulk posting or selling of items, just 1 2FA notif is required)\n\n2) Enable accounts to be region locked. (if you are migrating, then have to go through steam support etc)\n\n3) Additional Lock on Steam Wallet. (Another password perhaps?)\n\nEDIT: 2nd ticket in and I have still yet to receive a non robotic copy paste template response from Steam.", "date": "2022-07-07", "source_file": "steam_support_tickets_MEGA.json", "source_row": 45 }, { "id": "guard-restoration", "label": "Steam Guard & an item-restoration refusal", "summary": "A preserved post includes the author’s account of item theft and a support response declining restoration.", "category": "Restoration", "title": "Many people are losing item via clicking links where steam guard is enabled and steam support doesn't not restore items.", "url": "https://www.reddit.com/r/DotA2/comments/r55bd7/many_people_are_losing_item_via_clicking_links/", "text": "Accounts are getting compromised and might be their pc as well where Steam market is targeted hence the malicious links . I am assuming these hackers are getting encouraged where steam support is not doing nothing and they are getting away with hacking items. \nLiterally the guy who is supporting the game which he doesn't get any in game advantage just cosmetics in game only for the sole purpose of supporting the game so that the game will prosper and become beautiful way to enjoy weekend. But right now players are getting hacked left right and center and steam support is copy pasting message where in short they are blaming the guy who clicked link. 1st this is happening because they are not targeting players but they are targeting market since they are selling those stuff for real cash via party website. Steam is a huge company and can eradicate the problem or at least can remove links temporarily in chat since hackers are targeting .They made us install steam guard by saying we wont help if there is no steam guard now steam guard is not enough to save our inventory now they changed their policy that they should not click any suspicious links. How would we know if the link is suspicious ? After clicking and getting our inventory stolen right ! \n\"we'd have to duplicate an item to restore it. Duplication lowers the value of all items by reducing their scarcity and inflating the economy, which affects everyone involved in trading and the Market. To maintain the value of everyone’s inventory, we do not restore items. For more information, please see the Steam Item Restoration Policy.\" \nThey care for millions of people IN STEAM MARKET where as few are losing items which is going to affect market where the rightful owner bought the items and hacker is going to sell the item via 3rd party website and enjoy ! HOW IRONIC !! \nThis is the message from support where my frnd got his items stolen via clicking on link \n \nHi there, \n\n\nThank you for the information and screenshots provided. \n\n\nIt appears that the account was compromised, please take the following steps to secure your account and computer: \n\n\nScan your computer for viruses, key loggers, spyware, and other malicious code using antivirus software with updated virus definitions. \nChange the password for the email address that is associated with your Steam account. \nRegularly reset your Steam account password. \n\n\nPlease see our Security Recommendations article. \n\n\nIn addition, I’m sorry to hear that your items were removed without your permission. Unfortunately, Steam Support does not restore scammed, lost, or stolen items for any reason. \n\n\nSince Steam Support does not remove items from accounts, we'd have to duplicate an item to restore it. Duplication lowers the value of all items by reducing their scarcity and inflating the economy, which affects everyone involved in trading and the Market. To maintain the value of everyone’s inventory, we do not restore items. For more information, please see the Steam Item Restoration Policy. \n\n\nTo make sure that a scammer is reported, please report them through the Steam Community. Reporting a scammer through the Steam Community is the best way to prevent them from committing future scams. \n\n\nTo learn how to avoid scams or hijackings, please see our Trade Scam article. \n\n\nIf you still need assistance, please let us know.", "date": "2021-11-29", "source_file": "steam_support_tickets_MEGA.json", "source_row": 58 }, { "id": "selective-enforcement", "label": "Selective enforcement & an unexplained ban", "summary": "A community member describes a disputed ban and contrasts it with the visibility of commercial gambling promotion.", "category": "Enforcement", "title": "🚨 Steam Bans Without Reason and Ignores Its Community — What’s Going On?", "url": "https://www.reddit.com/r/SteamUncensored/comments/1kjt2fa/steam_bans_without_reason_and_ignores_its/", "text": "Hey r/Steam,\n\nI’m writing this to share my thoughts and concerns about my friend [moneylead](https://steamcommunity.com/id/moneylead/) and Steam’s policies in general. I spoke with him yesterday about his situation, though I didn’t discuss writing this post with him—I asked last night, but he hasn’t responded yet. I want to highlight that this issue is broader than just his case, and while Steam might make changes in the future (though that’s unlikely), I feel the community needs to understand how far Steam has strayed from its original values. I’m not trying to put moneylead in a tough spot with this thread—all the info I’m sharing is public, nothing secretive. I hope he won’t be upset with me, but the community needs this case to see the bigger picture and how Steam feels completely unaccountable.\n\n**Why Does Steam Ignore Its Community?** \nWhy does a platform like **Roblox** provide a detailed log of ban reasons, while Steam, which claims to be \"community-driven,\" ignores its community, bans whoever they want, for whatever they want, with no transparency? I looked into Roblox as a popular game—not a direct competitor to Steam—to see how their bans look, and you can check it out yourself: [Roblox Ban Reasons](https://www.google.com/search?q=Roblox+ban). Their bans are clear, detailed, and actually explain what you did wrong. I think most decent gaming communities operate like this—not with support agents named Olga, hired through outsourcing, who only know how to send canned auto-replies. Take cases like St4ck—or my friend **moneylead**. All these unbans, like **St4ck’s** or **Alexanddd’s**, happened behind closed doors with zero comments from Steam. Of course, it’s convenient for Steam to handle everything in secret, so no one knows or sees what’s going on—but this violates Steam’s own community rules and principles.\n\n**Who Is moneylead?** \nI’ve known [moneylead ](https://steamcommunity.com/id/moneylead/)since around 2021. We played Dota 2 a couple of times, and then I just stayed on his friends list. He’s always been a legit player, bringing revenue to Steam through purchases. He never sold his skins, whether in **Dota or CS2—he wasn’t a trader**. All he did was:\n\n* Buy games and skins.\n* Collect badges to level up his profile.\n\nAccording to [SteamSets](https://steamsets.com/account/76561199080934614), he’s given out 324,000 Steam Points—I think he awarded profile rewards to all his friends in the list (though I’m not 100% sure). I do know he ran contests and gave gifts to friends, always supporting the community.\n\n**Steam’s Unfair Treatment** \nI’ve seen Steam remove his showcases, avatar, description, and even his country multiple times—just because he’s from **Ukraine**. He has a ton of haters leaving toxic comments on his wall, and Steam seems to favor **Russian** users. Every time he tried to appeal the removal of his showcases or profile description—which didn’t break any rules, just had his Instagram link, and his avatar is the same as it is now—Steam moderators didn’t care. **They don’t care about top players who bring them massive revenue, nor about regular users.**\n\n>*Here’s the worst part: moneylead works in cybersecurity, specifically fighting account theft and phishing. He’s neutralized over 5,000 threats targeting Steam alone. And yet, Steam bans him for \"account hijacking\"?*\n\nIf you roughly calculate moneylead’s contribution to Steam and the community—his profile, level, badges (not skins, you can’t sell those)—is this normal, Steam? Banning people, closing tickets, and ignoring users with a spotless reputation who aren’t involved in any commercial activity, just bringing you profit without taking anything in return?\n\n**Steam’s Double Standards** \nI’m honestly shocked:\n\n* YouTubers who promote casinos and skin gambling? Steam’s fine with that.\n* A cybersecurity expert who fights scams, doesn’t promote casinos, and openly talks about it on his profile? **Banned with no explanation, ignored, and denied an unban.**\n\nI wonder if Steam deliberately bans a high-level account once a year just because of their impunity—maybe for hype or something. Otherwise, this is just madness. It’s scary to think how many regular players have lost their accounts and skins—not because of scammers, but because of Steam’s desire to ignore, send auto-replies, and do whatever they want.\n\n**How Many Others Are Affected?** \nHow many others are out there—maybe not as well-known—who just have a few games or skins, get banned for nothing, and receive zero explanation or response? **Is this even legal?** Every other platform provides a detailed log with specific violations, but Steam slaps on the same vague label and sends templated responses.\n\n* How safe is it to buy skins on Steam?\n* What’s the chance Steam will just ban your account for no reason, with no explanation?\n\n**A Message to Valve** \nI wish moneylead the best in resolving this, but Valve, it’d be great if you remembered what \"community\" means and started following the law. Because right now, it looks like your 30% commission, impunity, and sense of being above the law in the U.S. have given you the idea that you can do whatever you want.\n\nI’m sure there are many others like moneylead and St4ck—people who aren’t public or don’t have the resources to fight back. Let’s unite these cases. **If you’re a U.S. resident who’s been banned by Steam without reason and wants to challenge it, please reach out to me.** I’m finishing my **Juris Doctor (J.D.) program at SMU Dedman School of Law** in Dallas, Texas, and I’m participating in a legal clinical practice under Rule 13 of the Texas Supreme Court.\n\nWhat Steam is doing is absolutely disgusting and illegal, and **I’d be happy to help any gamer (legitimate, with no real violations) who has games or skins with value. This will be beneficial for my practice, and it’s time to put Steam in its place and show them they can’t just dictate their own rules with arbitration**. Let’s take it all the way—not for punishment, but for the sake of the community. Maybe if Steam loses a case, they’ll change their policies and start explaining their actions like most popular gaming communities do. Many of us remember how Steam Support used to recover stolen accounts and ended up “stealing” skins themselves—banning without real reasons is basically the same thing, and that’s a serious accusation.\n\nSo, r/Steam, see you soon. I think you understand what you’re doing and how many people you’ve illegally deprived of their assets. I want to raise this issue—not just for the U.S., but for the entire world. You’ve banned class-action lawsuits? **Welcome to Texas.** I recommend starting to look for licensed attorneys in Texas, because I’d love to discuss your company’s policies, feedback, and support agents named Olga—a name that strongly associates with Russian users. Maybe it’d be easier to move your company to Moscow? But I’d be happy to discuss these critical issues on behalf of the global gaming community.\n\nAlso, I wouldn’t recommend ignoring the lawsuit request that will be sent to your physical address and email address, as the court will proceed without you, and that might upset you—especially since things aren’t going so well for a company with stocks like yours.\n\n**Thanks to everyone who took the time to read this. For those who need real help with an unjust Steam ban without any explanation, I’d be happy to assist. For users from Texas, we can easily file a collective lawsuit against Steam—let’s connect and make it happen.**", "date": "2025-05-11", "source_file": "steam_support_tickets_MEGA.json", "source_row": 107 } ]