Digital Product Code

[[ITA] John Connors]

I read on Google that games purchased in digital format have a product code, like physical ones, but when I go to look at the email I receive for the purchase of the game, I only see the invoice number

[Yasahi]

Product Keys, CD-keys etc. haven't really been a thing for years when buying from Steam.

[[ITA] John Connors]

Originally posted by Yasahi:

Product Keys, CD-keys etc. haven't really been a thing for years when buying from Steam.

However, I read that in case of account theft, it would be appropriate to provide a code in the email to be able to trace your account.

[Aachen]

Originally posted by ITA John Connors:

However, I read that in case of account theft, it would be appropriate to provide a code in the email to be able to trace your account.

What sort of trace?

[Crazy Tiger]

Originally posted by ITA John Connors:

Originally posted by Yasahi:

Product Keys, CD-keys etc. haven't really been a thing for years when buying from Steam.

However, I read that in case of account theft, it would be appropriate to provide a code in the email to be able to trace your account.

Where have you read that? Keep in mind that there is quite some false information floating around.

[ImperatorPavel]

Originally posted by ITA John Connors:

Originally posted by Yasahi:

Product Keys, CD-keys etc. haven't really been a thing for years when buying from Steam.

However, I read that in case of account theft, it would be appropriate to provide a code in the email to be able to trace your account.

I'd suggest going and purchasing something like a bundle from Humble Bundle or another (legitimate) site that sells Steam keys if you're looking for that then.

[Yasahi]

Originally posted by ITA John Connors:

Originally posted by Yasahi:

Product Keys, CD-keys etc. haven't really been a thing for years when buying from Steam.

However, I read that in case of account theft, it would be appropriate to provide a code in the email to be able to trace your account.

That's for the original activated games that is used as proof of ownership. They're games you bought somewhere else and then activated on Steam. For games you buy on Steam, that's not a thing since the transaction itself happened within the system. So your payment transactions would serve as proof of ownership in that case.

[Ogami]

Originally posted by ITA John Connors:

However, I read that in case of account theft, it would be appropriate to provide a code in the email to be able to trace your account.

They want physical evidence. Meaning a game box with a disc and a piece of paper with the printed key on it.
I still keep some old boxes with discs and the keys on the manual around from like 2013 just for that if i ever need to proof my account ownership.
Of course nowadays pc gaming is 99% digital so they usually want stuff like PayPal receipts or bank transfer documents that show you are the one who bought those games years ago.

[ImperatorPavel]

Originally posted by Crazy Tiger:

Originally posted by ITA John Connors:

However, I read that in case of account theft, it would be appropriate to provide a code in the email to be able to trace your account.

Where have you read that? Keep in mind that there is quite some false information floating around.

The Steam Support article on "Providing Proof of Ownership", Steam keys and CD keys are listed as valid recovery methods.

https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/40A0-8B4B-B54B-C51A

[Pierce Dalton]

Originally posted by ITA John Connors:

Originally posted by Yasahi:

Product Keys, CD-keys etc. haven't really been a thing for years when buying from Steam.

However, I read that in case of account theft, it would be appropriate to provide a code in the email to be able to trace your account.

This code doesn't have anything to do with games. If I recall correctly this is the code that you get when you install Steam Guard on your phone.

[Crazy Tiger]

Originally posted by ImperatorPavel:

Originally posted by Crazy Tiger:

Where have you read that? Keep in mind that there is quite some false information floating around.

The Steam Support article on "Providing Proof of Ownership", Steam keys and CD keys are listed as valid recovery methods.

https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/40A0-8B4B-B54B-C51A

Where does it list Steam keys? I only see it mentioning cd keys, activation codes and Steam Wallet codes. None of those are Steam keys.

[[ITA] John Connors]

Originally posted by Yasahi:

Originally posted by ITA John Connors:

However, I read that in case of account theft, it would be appropriate to provide a code in the email to be able to trace your account.

That's for the original activated games that is used as proof of ownership. They're games you bought somewhere else and then activated on Steam. For games you buy on Steam, that's not a thing since the transaction itself happened within the system. So your payment transactions would serve as proof of ownership in that case.

For example the transaction ID, found inside the purchase email

[Crazy Tiger]

Originally posted by ITA John Connors:

Originally posted by Yasahi:

That's for the original activated games that is used as proof of ownership. They're games you bought somewhere else and then activated on Steam. For games you buy on Steam, that's not a thing since the transaction itself happened within the system. So your payment transactions would serve as proof of ownership in that case.

For example the transaction ID, found inside the purchase email

Or in the payment processor (for example in the bank app or on the Paypal site).

[Pierce Dalton]

Originally posted by ITA John Connors:

Originally posted by Yasahi:

That's for the original activated games that is used as proof of ownership. They're games you bought somewhere else and then activated on Steam. For games you buy on Steam, that's not a thing since the transaction itself happened within the system. So your payment transactions would serve as proof of ownership in that case.

For example the transaction ID, found inside the purchase email

That isn't worth much because the invader may have access to your e-mail as well. A lot of people use the same password for Steam and e-mail.

[ImperatorPavel]

Originally posted by Crazy Tiger:

Originally posted by ImperatorPavel:

The Steam Support article on "Providing Proof of Ownership", Steam keys and CD keys are listed as valid recovery methods.

https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/40A0-8B4B-B54B-C51A

Where does it list Steam keys? I only see it mentioning cd keys, activation codes and Steam Wallet codes. None of those are Steam keys.

Aren't Digital Activation Codes Steam keys?

Originally posted by "Providing Proof of Ownership Support Page":

If a game was registered to the account using a digitally issued activation code, please provide the following with your Support Ticket:
Attach a screenshot of the account page or email in which you received the code. The code that was activated to the account must be visible in the screenshot.

I'll fully admit I might be reading that wrong.

[[ITA] John Connors]

I am a meticulous person and extremely afraid of my accounts being touched, like everyone else. I have different and quite complex passwords. I use Steam Guard on my mobile phone