About the wallet codes region locking..

[𝙂 𝙇 𝙞 𝙏 𝘾 𝙃]

Is this new restriction already active and running or does it have like some time to start working? My Friend got an European code which he didn't redeem yet and now after this decision it's just useless :/

For people who might ask why we buy different region codes, it's because it's simply cheaper.

[Spawn of Totoro]

First I have heard about this. Got a link?

[𝙂 𝙇 𝙞 𝙏 𝘾 𝙃]

Originally posted by Spawn of Totoro:

First I have heard about this. Got a link?

https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=1122-RTSC-0478

[Spawn of Totoro]

Originally posted by Glitch:

Originally posted by Spawn of Totoro:

First I have heard about this. Got a link?

https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=1122-RTSC-0478

Thank you.

Well, best I can say is to give it a try. Worst case, it won't work.

[𝙂 𝙇 𝙞 𝙏 𝘾 𝙃]

Originally posted by Spawn of Totoro:

Originally posted by Glitch:

https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=1122-RTSC-0478

Thank you.

Well, best I can say is to give it a try. Worst case, it won't work.

We were actually afraid of trying not to mess up the code or something.. so it's safe to try redeeming it? In case it didn't work it'll be still functional if used in the correct region?

[cSg|mc-Hotsauce]

We really don't know yet. It was changed not long ago, silently.

[Spawn of Totoro]

Originally posted by Glitch:

We were actually afraid of trying not to mess up the code or something.. so it's safe to try redeeming it? In case it didn't work it'll be still functional if used in the correct region?

No one in the forums could possibly answer unless they have tried to do so. I have access to the same information you do.

I have not seen any complaints about it, at this time.

[cSg|mc-Hotsauce]

This is the first thread I've seen asking about it.

[𝙂 𝙇 𝙞 𝙏 𝘾 𝙃]

Update:

We tried using the code, an error came out so unfortunately the restrictions are working already. We have no idea if the code became corrupt because of trying our not but we hope for the best :/

I really wonder what are the reasons for this decision..

[Lapetirubern]

They claim it's to stop scams. Honestly, the way I see it, they're just making it impossible for people to gift stuff to foreign friends because some people are ruining it for everyone else.

[cSg|mc-Hotsauce]

Thank you for testing it for us. It will help out in future threads.

[rawWwRrr]

Originally posted by Glitch:

Originally posted by Spawn of Totoro:

Thank you.

Well, best I can say is to give it a try. Worst case, it won't work.

We were actually afraid of trying not to mess up the code or something.. so it's safe to try redeeming it? In case it didn't work it'll be still functional if used in the correct region?

Trying to redeem will either succeed or fail. It won't change the code at all.

Worst case scenario is that it doesn't work. For that you have the link in the announcement that says to contact support. Maybe they can help if it doesn't work.

[Daedalus007]

People abused the system to support and engage in money laundering and fraud. Be glad that you aren't being arrested/sued over it.

Whatever shady 3rd party reseller you got your foreign/region-locked key from is the one you need to contact for support or a refund. Valve doesn't deal with that. Your own fault as you wanted to pay money-launderers and scammers money instead of buying them legit.

[Spawn of Totoro]

Originally posted by Glitch:

Update:

We tried using the code, an error came out so unfortunately the restrictions are working already. We have no idea if the code became corrupt because of trying our not but we hope for the best :/

I really wonder what are the reasons for this decision..

The reasons were stated in the article posted.

"To combat scamming."
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/paying-scammers-gift-cards

[𝙂 𝙇 𝙞 𝙏 𝘾 𝙃]

Originally posted by Spawn of Totoro:

Originally posted by Glitch:

Update:

We tried using the code, an error came out so unfortunately the restrictions are working already. We have no idea if the code became corrupt because of trying our not but we hope for the best :/

I really wonder what are the reasons for this decision..

The reasons were stated in the article posted.

"To combat scamming."
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/paying-scammers-gift-cards

I know what they said but since when taking such measures holds back scammers? It only annoys regular people much more than it annoys actual scammers.
They made the 7 days trade lock for CSGO skins. Did the gambling websites disappear? Did scammers stop scamming?
And now with this new lock I don't expect that it'll have any sort of impact on the scammers tbh..
Even though the reasons are noble, it will not stop scammers from doing what they do and we all know that.

Originally posted by Daedalus007:

People abused the system to support and engage in money laundering and fraud. Be glad that you aren't being arrested/sued over it.

Whatever shady 3rd party reseller you got your foreign/region-locked key from is the one you need to contact for support or a refund. Valve doesn't deal with that. Your own fault as you wanted to pay money-launderers and scammers money instead of buying them legit.

We use G2A and eBay to buy those codes for a few cents cheaper. We save those few cents + the unjustified taxes and fees our country's banks force on the online shopping experience. We don't buy those from scammers as far as we know. Also if those sellers were actual scammers I don't think they would've been existing on such well known legally allowed websites.

[crunchyfrog]

Originally posted by Brass Saturday:

They claim it's to stop scams. Honestly, the way I see it, they're just making it impossible for people to gift stuff to foreign friends because some people are ruining it for everyone else.

Probably another more nefarious reason (which has been seen happening) - MONEY LAUNDERING.

I'm sure Valve would not want to get the long arm of the law interested in their dealings unnecessarily.

So yes, things have to be abused-proof much like everything in life.