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Screwed by Steam


raymac46

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My daughter bought me a Steam gift card for Christmas. When I tried to redeem it the code wouldn't "take."

I contacted Steam support and they told me the card was missing a couple of letters. Later they advised me that the card had been redeemed in their system a day and a half before I got it as a gift. They won't do anything; they advised that my daughter should contact the card vendor (who will no doubt send her back to Steam.)

I feel totally ripped off, screwed and let down and I doubt I'll buy anything from Steam in future.

Edited by raymac46
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Yes. It is better to give the person a check than to buy a gift card. Too many are redeemed by scammers before the recipient gets to use the card.

 

There was a good article about just this thing.

https://www.askwoody.com/2018/patch-lady-second-day-of-christmas/

apparently she bought her father a $200 restaurant gift card that had been redeemed.

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If you want to know how totally useless Steam support is, here is an answer I got from them.

 

Hey there,

 

I'm sorry to hear that your daughter was unable to redeem the Steam Wallet Code. And I understand your frustration.

 

If you believe a crime was commuted, we recommend contacting your local enforcement.

 

We would be happy to assist in any active law enforcement investigation regarding this activity.

 

Once you have an officer assigned to your case, they can direct any questions or legal requests to SubpoenaInquiries@valvesoftware.com.

 

Please let us know if there is anything else we can help you with.

 

Thanks for using Steam,

Jean-Pierre

Edited by raymac46
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Hello,

 

It sounds like Steam will cooperate, but they need you to first file a police report so they have a legal basis for investigating how the card was used.

 

Regards,

 

Aryeh Goretsky

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securitybreach

Hello,

 

It sounds like Steam will cooperate, but they need you to first file a police report so they have a legal basis for investigating how the card was used.

 

Regards,

 

Aryeh Goretsky

 

Agreed :thumbup:

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Since I have no details other than the info that Steam gave me what would I tell the police? Steam claimed initially that their card was defective and that in spite of that it was already cashed in by someone else. The police in Canada won't be bothered by something as flimsy as that, especially since I have no idea where the crime was committed (if one was committed at all.) Why do Steam need any legal reason to investigate their own sales? If this happened with a bank, the bank's security would investigate.

We are talking about a $50 gift certificate, not a Brinks robbery. Steam is washing their hands of the whole thing, not standing behind their product. They are complicit in the scam if there is a scam. Bottom line we are out the money. Would you continue to buy stuff from a vendor like that?

They don't want to help and closed the ticket. Now all we can do is try and get the money back from the original card seller.

Edited by raymac46
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securitybreach

Since I have no details other than the info that Steam gave me what would I tell the police? Steam claimed initially that their card was defective and that in spite of that it was already cashed in by someone else. The police in Canada won't be bothered by something as flimsy as that, especially since I have no idea where the crime was committed (if one was committed at all.) Why do Steam need any legal reason to investigate their own sales? If this happened with a bank, the bank's security would investigate.

We are talking about a $50 gift certificate, not a Brinks robbery. Steam is washing their hands of the whole thing, not standing behind their product. They are complicit in the scam if there is a scam. Bottom line we are out the money. Would you continue to buy stuff from a vendor like that?

They don't want to help and closed the ticket. Now all we can do is try and get the money back from the original card seller.

 

Also, you have to remember that people are actively trying to scam steam. From their standpoint, how would they know that you are not deceiving them? To a company, a police report would legitimize the complaint as a criminal wouldn't make a report of it.

 

Not saying that it is right though.

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My chances of getting the police involved are slim and none. I have written Steam off as a bad supplier and hopefully my daughter can get her money back from wherever she bought the card.

As far as my own credentials as an honest customer go, I have bought a lot of train sim stuff over 5 years - far more than $50 - and they must know that.

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One other point. I have the defective card and sent a scan of it to Steam. The scammer who redeemed it could not have had it, since it didn't work. Why would Steam think I am trying to scam them when I am a victim as much as they are? Doesn't make sense. The Steam forum has all kinds of messages about people getting defective cards.

Edited by raymac46
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I had a similar issue after buying a retail copy of Portal 2 years ago. The included serial showed as already redeemed when I tried to use it.

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Unfortunately, if I want to add anything to my Train Sim in the way of routes I have to go through Steam. They have the sales and best pricing. There are third party vendors but these are mostly add-ons to existing routes, or special locomotives and rolling stock.

The other good sim called Trainz is also sold via Steam.

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You are correct that the police will not do much - but they will write a report. That report of theft is all Steam should need to start looking on their end.

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securitybreach

You are correct that the police will not do much - but they will write a report. That report of theft is all Steam should need to start looking on their end.

 

Yup, my thoughts as well..

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