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An informational thread aiming to assist users with understanding how to trade Steam-related content on Kingz.
Anything you're looking to market on this forum must follow the Terms of Use and Privacy/Legal Policy.
Feel free to join the official Steam Community Discord by clicking here.
IMPORTANT
Trading Steam accounts/IDs/groups is against the SSA and may result in a pullback, community ban, or lock to your account at anytime; deal with caution. Your Steam account is never 100% safe as Steam Support ultimately controls your account’s standing.
Steam Accounts
Anything you're looking to market on this forum must follow the Terms of Use and Privacy/Legal Policy.
Feel free to join the official Steam Community Discord by clicking here.
IMPORTANT
Trading Steam accounts/IDs/groups is against the SSA and may result in a pullback, community ban, or lock to your account at anytime; deal with caution. Your Steam account is never 100% safe as Steam Support ultimately controls your account’s standing.
Steam Accounts
Purchasing an account can never be safe especially on this platform. It comes with huge risks and the chances of your account getting pulled back are very high. Of course it depends who you buy it from. I will be going through some of the most important tasks that you should complete to authenticate that the information you are given is correct and that it is real. Please, read everything very carefully, to ensure that you do not get scammed in any way possible.
I. Normal Accounts
If you ever purchase an account, you have to make sure that the information provided by the seller is authentic. Here is a list of things you must look for when purchasing an account:
- Original Email
- Phone number
- Purchase history
- Payment methods
II. Aged Accounts
Purchasing an aged (old) account on this platform is possibly one of the biggest mistakes you can make. This is because of the way that Steam Support is dealing with things and the fact that the accounts are obtained illegally 99% of the cases.
Just like when purchasing a normal account, you should look for the information listed above, although this type of accounts require another safety measure. People tend to often spam/mass report aged accounts if they see anything valuable on them which causes the Steam Support system to instantly flag them and lock the accounts, In order to prevent your account from receiving a Community Ban and never being able to access it again, the seller must provide you with a physical copy of the game(s): Half Life Anthology or Counter Strike Anthology which Support requires in order to unlock your account in addition to the original information.
Because, most of the times, you do not have that copy, you are very likely to never be able to unlock your account. Again, this is most of the times, doesn't meant that there are exceptions or ways around it that I am not currently aware of.
Just like when purchasing a normal account, you should look for the information listed above, although this type of accounts require another safety measure. People tend to often spam/mass report aged accounts if they see anything valuable on them which causes the Steam Support system to instantly flag them and lock the accounts, In order to prevent your account from receiving a Community Ban and never being able to access it again, the seller must provide you with a physical copy of the game(s): Half Life Anthology or Counter Strike Anthology which Support requires in order to unlock your account in addition to the original information.
Because, most of the times, you do not have that copy, you are very likely to never be able to unlock your account. Again, this is most of the times, doesn't meant that there are exceptions or ways around it that I am not currently aware of.
III. Fresh Accounts
Purchasing fresh accounts should be done very cautiously as there are many risks that come with it. Firstly, prior to closing a deal you should make sure that:
- Accounts were generated using a Proxy/VPN. (better than having all of them on the same IP)
- The acccount(s) come with the Original Email/Phone Number used for their generation.
- It is highly recommended that you are given the location of the Proxies/VPN that was used to create the account and match the region when you login to minimalize risks.
IV. Types of Bans
There are four main types of bans on Steam; each ban places its specific restrictions to your Steam account.
Bans | Clean Record Sample
Bans | Comprehensive Guide
- VAC Bans » VAC, or Valve Anti-Cheat, bans are issued through an automated system designed to detect cheats installed on users' computers. The VAC system will ban detected users from playing the fraudulent game(s) on VAC-Secured servers in the future. Any affected Steam profile will be publicly labelled with a VAC ban on record, accompanied by the amount of days since the last applied ban of any type.
- Game Bans » Game bans allow third-party developers to implement their own anti-cheat system to be used along with with the VAC system. For example, CS:GO enforces game bans in its Overwatch system. These bans inform banned users on why they cannot join a protected matchmaking server, while also permitting other users to see whether [suspected] cheaters are banned or not. Any affected Steam profile will be publicly labelled with a Game ban on record, accompanied by the amount of days since the last applied ban of any type.
- Community Bans » Community bans are issued to users that break either the Rules and Guidelines for Steam, the Steam Subscriber Agreement, and/or the Steam Online Conduct. A lock will be placed on the account, which blocks access from using the Steam Community and privately displays the following message: Your account has been blocked from participating in the Steam Community. To appeal, you must login to your Steam account, click on the red Steam alert banner for more information and for the length of the restriction, create a support ticket, and follow the instructions provided in Steam Support responses.
- Trade Bans » Trade bans are placed onto profiles which Steam Support believes are associated with scams or item hijacking. The length of a trade ban depends on the severity of the violation. Any affected Steam account is prohibited to trade any of their items, and their profile will be publicly labelled as Currently trade banned.
- Without substantial proof of errors on their end, Steam Support will not revoke the ban(s) placed onto your account. The simple solutions to avoid any type of ban include the prohibition or extreme caution of using cheats/exploits, stealing, sharing, or purchasing accounts, and trading stolen/purchased items. Open the links below to view an example screenshot of an account with a clean record, as well as a comprehensive guide for extensive information on Steam bans.
Bans | Clean Record Sample
Bans | Comprehensive Guide
V. Public Data
There are certain tools you can utilize to find account data including but not limited to the 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.
Below are a few well-known, useful websites to track and calculate various data about a Steam account, along with other Steam-related tools.
Links:
Profile Data | SteamDB.info
Profile Data | VACBanned.com
Profile Data | SteamRep.com
Profile Data | SteamID.uk
Below are a few well-known, useful websites to track and calculate various data about a Steam account, along with other Steam-related tools.
Links:
Profile Data | SteamDB.info
Profile Data | VACBanned.com
Profile Data | SteamRep.com
Profile Data | SteamID.uk
VI. Reporting Scams
When creating a report, provide evidence with necessary detail and aim to responsibly resolve any issues with the other thread participant(s).
If an onsite user scammed you out of a product, open a Deal Dispute against them with sufficient proof.
If an onsite or offsite user is promoting suspicious activity, open a Community Alert against them with sufficient proof.
Links:
Kingz | Deal Dispute
Kingz | Community Alert
If an onsite user scammed you out of a product, open a Deal Dispute against them with sufficient proof.
If an onsite or offsite user is promoting suspicious activity, open a Community Alert against them with sufficient proof.
Links:
Kingz | Deal Dispute
Kingz | Community Alert
Security Measures
A list of security measures that you might want to follow in order to secure your account and prevent it from future community bans/locks and ways to simply unlock your account if anything happens.I. Original Email
In order to validate that you are given the original email, check the inbox for a letter by Steam Support. It should look something like the images linked below. In order to determine the original email (OGE) yourself, you must find either of the following:
OGE | First Letter Example
OGE | Steam Support Response
- The first letter which Steam sent when you initially registered your account. Compare the date on this email with the Steam account
- Emails from Steam with dates which line up with the first games played on Dota 2, CS:GO, or any other Steam game that has recorded games played with dates. Typically, the oldest registered games matter the most.
OGE | First Letter Example
OGE | Steam Support Response
II. Purchase History
Payment data is the most important evidence someone can have when contacting Steam support. In recovery cases, Steam Support prioritizes proofs of purchase over everything else, even the original email.
Purchases | History
Purchases | Game Licenses
Purchases | Example Image of a Physical CDKey
Purchases | CDKey Formatting and Applicable Games
- Proof of Purchases (PoPs) » Billing Address, Phone Number, Last 4 Digits of Credit Card, First and Last Name, PayPal/Webmoney transaction IDs, etc. — Older purchases take higher priority with Steam Support. You can find your account's purchase history in your account settings.
- 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 in your account settings.
Purchases | History
Purchases | Game Licenses
Purchases | Example Image of a Physical CDKey
Purchases | CDKey Formatting and Applicable Games
III. Phone Numbers
Sometimes, support tends to ask for not just the original phone number, but also a list of previously used phone numbers on your account, so it is a high safety measure to keep track of them to keep yourself safe. Same applies with emails and game activation keys. Simply, note every change of your account so that it can be used to unlock it in the future.
IV. Proxies / VPNs
Surprisingly, if your account has been reported by a third party, it can be flagged by Steam's system due to suspicious activity if you log in from a variety of IP addresses. I would personally recommend that you use the same IP to login to spear some time writing to support and unlocking your account. It can be very frustrating as it forces you to reset your password & Steam Guard which automatically puts a 15 day cooldown onto your account and you are not able to use the Community Market or complete any trades whatsoever.
V. Steam Guard & 2FA
Having two-factor authentication on your account allows for the best measures of breach security, as well as convenient Steam market and trading access. With Steam, there are two forms of 2FA: Steam Guard and Mobile/Desktop Authentication.
Account | Manage 2FA Page
Account | Steam Desktop Authenticator
Account | Windows Desktop Authenticator
- Steam Guard (Guard) » In summary, this is 2-factor authentication through your account’s email. You can check whether Steam Guard is enabled or disabled in your account settings. Learn more about using Steam Guard here.
- Mobile/Desktop Authentication (Auth) » This is the most secure feature to enable on your Steam account. Download the mobile Steam app or a desktop authenticator and follow the instructions to enable. Try not to use the same phone number on multiple accounts as bans and other violations will apply to all accounts under that phone number. Learn more about using mobile authentication here.
Account | Manage 2FA Page
Account | Steam Desktop Authenticator
Account | Windows Desktop Authenticator
Marketplace
Of course, you won't just be buying/selling steam IDs for the sake of it. At the end of the day, this is a marketplace. It is easy to jump right in and get started, but be careful because there are an abundance of scammers out there, especially in the Steam community.
I. How to secure an account
The simplest method of transferring ownership with Steam accounts requires a login, password change, and email update if necessary. Then verify the email, remove any connected devices/accounts (family sharing), and check the legitimacy of any third-party websites which ask for access to your account.
Be sure to store account information in a safe place, which includes but is not limited to:
Account | Settings
Account | Breach Prevention
Account | Third Party Sign-In Scams
Be sure to store account information in a safe place, which includes but is not limited to:
- Steam Username (Login) » The unique username used to login to your Steam account. 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.
- Email/Password Combination (Email/PW) » The current email and password linked to the Steam account. You can find your current email in your account settings.
Account | Settings
Account | Breach Prevention
Account | Third Party Sign-In Scams
II. Steam Usernames/ Vanity URLs
Vanity URLs, or Steam IDs, are the social media handles/usernames of Steam. These usernames have their own tiers of value, which depends on its demand and security. You can customize your vanity URL through the ‘Edit Profile’ page displayed on your Steam profile.
You should always be cautious when purchasing a 'slur' vanity URL as support often reverts/removes them from accounts. Most commonly this happens with /id/n*gger.
To minimize risk and maximize preservation, don’t link your vanity URL to a purchased account. Only add IDs to an account which you created, unless certain circumstances apply such as adding a custom URL onto a lowdigit Steam account with CDKey proofs attached. Valve keeps an eye on higher-tier IDs so be extra cautious with the accounts involved with these valuable URLs. If enough suspicious activity is involved with a specific Steam URL, Steam Support will permanently place the ID onto their own account, banning it from the public community. Trade at your own risk.
Manually swapping (or hand-swapping) high-tier or even mid-tier IDs will almost always result in you losing the URL. To prevent this inconvenience, use trusted swapping services to safely transfer an ID from one account to another. Note that IDs with only two characters cannot be swapped to another account, and if the URL is changed you will lose the ID forever.
Links:
URLs | Example of a High-Tier ID
URLs | Example of a Banned ID
You should always be cautious when purchasing a 'slur' vanity URL as support often reverts/removes them from accounts. Most commonly this happens with /id/n*gger.
To minimize risk and maximize preservation, don’t link your vanity URL to a purchased account. Only add IDs to an account which you created, unless certain circumstances apply such as adding a custom URL onto a lowdigit Steam account with CDKey proofs attached. Valve keeps an eye on higher-tier IDs so be extra cautious with the accounts involved with these valuable URLs. If enough suspicious activity is involved with a specific Steam URL, Steam Support will permanently place the ID onto their own account, banning it from the public community. Trade at your own risk.
Manually swapping (or hand-swapping) high-tier or even mid-tier IDs will almost always result in you losing the URL. To prevent this inconvenience, use trusted swapping services to safely transfer an ID from one account to another. Note that IDs with only two characters cannot be swapped to another account, and if the URL is changed you will lose the ID forever.
Links:
URLs | Example of a High-Tier ID
URLs | Example of a Banned ID
III. Steam Groups
Steam groups are user-created communities where members can interact by hosting or participating in various gaming activities and discussions. Steam groups also have their own unique group IDs, or GIDs, which are numerically ordered starting from 4. Paste ‘steamcommunity.com/gid/(GID number)’ or use the link below to find Steam groups based on their GID. Learn more about the functions of Steam groups here.
There are users who try to 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.
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).
Groups | Searching With GIDs (replace 4 with your GID)
Groups | Unicode Detector
Groups | Character Checker
There are users who try to 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.
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).
Groups | Searching With GIDs (replace 4 with your GID)
Groups | Unicode Detector
Groups | Character Checker
IV. Swappers
When you purchase an ID it'll be given to you on the account the current owner/seller has it held on. This is usually quite bad as a buyer because it means they will likely be able to recover the account if they have enough information. To minimize this risk, the common practice is to swap the ID to a fresh or main account that's fully in your possession. Not only does this reduce the risk of anything happening in terms of pullbacks/scams, but it also makes the accounts easier to sell on if you have an abundance of account information (e.g. OGE, IP, receipts, etc.).
V. Safety
When selling any account onsite (not just steam), always make use of a Trusted Middleman. These are members of the community that have been around for many years and have completed many many high value deals, thus meaning they won't scam you. A MM makes a transaction as secure as possible. To find a Trusted MM -> Official MM Services
