possible scam or ban and deleted my friends list

[Funky]

so i got this message randomly from somone on my friends list called system, supposed to be with steam or something. and they said

b]ACCOUNT ALERT

We've detected suspicious activity on your account.

It will be locked as a security precaution for further analysis. Our recommendation is to send your inventory to another storage account to avoid possible troubles during lock-up period. In the absence of violations of the Steam community rules and other suspicious actions, your account will be available for future usage.

Otherwise, it will lead to a Steam community ban.

More info on this topic is available here: Steam Terms of Service Agreement.

now my all my friends have been deleted and I am scared my inventory will be deleted please help

[Zekiran]

It is 100% a scam.


DO NOT TRADE YOUR ITEMS!

Your account is compromised.

Scan for malware. https://www.malwarebytes.com/

Deauthorize all devices https://store.steampowered.com/twofactor/manage

Change your password on a secure device.

Generate new back up codes. https://store.steampowered.com/twofactor/manage

Revoke the api key https://steamcommunity.com/dev/apikey
** If there is nothing in the API key area, that’s fine. If there IS something, remove it. Nothing should be there.**

No items that have been traded away during this time will be returned to you.

Change your Email’s password on your computer for safety

Also report the account’s profile as scammer, and STOP visiting 3rd party trade sites!!

[Funky]

But my friends list has been deleted , and I'm for sure not going to trade with anyone, but do I really need to change my password ? How was he able to remove all my friends

[FFL2and3rocks]

Originally posted by Funky:

But my friends list has been deleted , and I'm for sure not going to trade with anyone, but do I really need to change my password ? How was he able to remove all my friends

Someone gained access to your account, which usually happens when you log into a phishing site with your Steam login info.

[Funky]

So what do I do with my account now ? Is my account going to be banned , because all my friends on my list are gone

[Zekiran]

AFTER you do the things I've shown, your account will be more secure. You may consider locking it, go to the support pages and look for that option. If your profile and lists are changing without YOU doing it, you MUST take the effort and lock your stuff down before they gain complete control.

[Funky]

Will my account actually be banned and can anyone hack my account and take my inventory without me trading ?

[Muppet among Puppets]

Do what post 1 told you.
Do NOT do what anyone else told you before.

[Funky]

i did all that but all my friends have been deleted, and the last thing i had was a freind, named system. he wad trying to be from steam and said i have 12 hours and this account will be banned, so is it possible my account will get banned

[Zekiran]

Originally posted by Funky:

Will my account actually be banned and can anyone hack my account and take my inventory without me trading ?

NO, because they are LYING to you about that. It is part of the scam. Please also go to the Support page and search for "phishing" or "scams" and you will find detailed information about many different versions of this and other scams that people fall for every single hour on steam.

The user is always the weakest link. Don't fall for threats or scare tactics. But if you have been presented with that specific post you've put up in your OP you MUST secure your account RIGHT NOW. Not later, not at some point after playing another game, NOW.

[Zekiran]

Originally posted by Funky:

i did all that but all my friends have been deleted, and the last thing i had was a freind, named system. he wad trying to be from steam and said i have 12 hours and this account will be banned, so is it possible my account will get banned

Literally.
NO.

[Muppet among Puppets]

Not because that person wants it.
They were on your account. Thats "all".

[Muppet among Puppets]

Pattern of scam:

Bait, story, steps

[Overseer]

I mean for as long as a third party has access to your account it can get banned for various violations. You need to understand that you gave away your login data. And some entity had/has access to your account just like you. And just like you can delete friends as well.

You could do the same. Travel to a different country. Go to a new PC. Open Steam and log in to delete all your friends. Once you travel back home and access it from your living space the friend list will be gone. To no surprise.

What is it with those threats of bans and deletion? Its simple: they don't have full access to trade your valuables and need you to act fast. So they want you to hand them your items - for free.
How do they convince you to act fast? Scare tactics.

[Funky]

i never gave out any of my information, no one knows my login information, and well i just changed my password and deleted the api thing as well. im still just scared that he could just steal my items, as long as no one is going to rob my inventory, i know i wont be trading with anyone for any reason. also if steam did contact me they would contact me in the email and not through the chat system , correct?

[J4MESOX4D]

Originally posted by Funky:

i never gave out any of my information

Either you did this or someone was able to guess your login name, password AND authenticator code. Let's face it, you gave away your entire credentials to a phishing page just like thousands of others do every hour. The API key scam is very common and tiresome to see.