Banned and refunded after buying steam deck?

[Sleepy Guy]

Looking for advise and if this is happening to others?

I created an account to buy a steam deck after hearing a buddy talk about how good it is. I am totally green to a deck and steam. Stoked I purchased a deck and my credit card flagged it but no worries they approved it on the spot. Transaction went through!

The next day I get an order canceled and refunded. I signed into my account and not says I am banned until 2038. Is this normal actions for people buying stuff from steam?

Now steam wants me to provide copies of ID and several other requests. Feels like I am trying to prove I did not steal something vs buy a new toy.

Is it normal to get banned and cancel purchases?

[rawWwRrr]

Well... you're on a 9-yr old account. Why did you need to create an account just to buy a deck?

[Sleepy Guy]

I found this old account dormant and collecting dust that I did not even know existed until started poking around old email accounts. They banned the other account and my credit card with it.

I don’t understand why a person gets treated like this. I did not get banned for buying a PS5 or a laptop or even a car.. is everyone guilty until proven innocent on steam or what?

[Wolf Knight]

Originally posted by Sleepy Guy:

I found this old account dormant and collecting dust that I did not even know existed until started poking around old email accounts. They banned the other account and my credit card with it.

I don’t understand why a person gets treated like this. I did not get banned for buying a PS5 or a laptop or even a car.. is everyone guilty until proven innocent on steam or what?

because what you did looks like fraud and they want to make sure the person making such a large purchase from an account that has been dead for years is really the person that is making the purchase.

work with steam support to resolve the issue, then you should be able to buy your deck.

[76561198407601200]

Originally posted by Sleepy Guy:

I found this old account dormant and collecting dust that I did not even know existed until started poking around old email accounts. They banned the other account and my credit card with it.

I don’t understand why a person gets treated like this. I did not get banned for buying a PS5 or a laptop or even a car.. is everyone guilty until proven innocent on steam or what?

There are times that my wife uses my credit card for purchases that are outside my own spending habits, I frequently receive verifcation if it is me. Valve is simply covering their ass for when the inevitable "How does Valve allow someone to make a large purchase with my card?!?!" post. Contact support, this is not the place for it.

[Dr.Shadowds 🐉]

For what you said, your card company auto took action, then you fix it to get it approved, this may have trigger them to react as suspicious out of automated flag that fear possible fraudulent activity.

All you have to do is contact Steam support, and provide any information to provide such as possible ID if required.

There has been attempts by scammers trying to get things for free, or using stolen credit cards, so yes it normal a company may reaction to large purchases, or odd activities.

[nullable]

Originally posted by Sleepy Guy:

Now steam wants me to provide copies of ID and several other requests. Feels like I am trying to prove I did not steal something vs buy a new toy.

Is it normal to get banned and cancel purchases?

No, but... it sounds like there's extenuating cirumstances and Valve is within their rights to protect themselves and dot the i's and cross the t's when something doesn't look right on their end.

I mean we're talking about a new account, with no purchases, trying to purchase and expensive item with an unverified CC (potentially) and there issues on your CC side, regardless how quickly you addressed them.

There's also the issue were we just have your side of the story. Valve's side might make it pretty obvious that they're being reasonable to identify these circumstances as a possible fraud. They're not obligated to ignore issues and red flags because you'd find that convenient. Sure it's possible they made a mistake. So you either go through the process and get it straightened out. Or you walk away. You may have hard feelings about it. But Valve isn't going to be better off being cavalier towards something that appeared very much like a fraud to them.

I'm sure it's not malicious or personal. Mistakes and misunderstandings happen. All you can do is work through the processes to get it resolved.

[rawWwRrr]

Originally posted by Sleepy Guy:

I found this old account dormant and collecting dust that I did not even know existed until started poking around old email accounts. They banned the other account and my credit card with it.

I don’t understand why a person gets treated like this. I did not get banned for buying a PS5 or a laptop or even a car.. is everyone guilty until proven innocent on steam or what?

This might explain it more.

https://www.pcgamesn.com/steam-deck/valve-cancels-suspicious-purchases

Sounds like what you described in your OP.

[Sleepy Guy]

The article does mimic what I experienced. Steam canceling the transaction after it was approved and banning the account is pretty low for a company. That account is not this account for the record.

I found and resurrected this account. I understand steam might consider this as protecting themselves but I do believe that is the credit cards role in this. You authenticate by providing your information on purchase. I did not try to pay with Monopoly money.

If I bought 10 of them or 200 games and a bunch of decks. That is totally suspensions but buying a deck to play games? Play station did not ban me when I bought a game console nor did my phone company when I bought a $1500 phone.

This thread has lived long enough. Thanks for people posting. Sounds like they only ban a few customers.

[Dr.Shadowds 🐉]

Originally posted by Sleepy Guy:

The article does mimic what I experienced. Steam canceling the transaction after it was approved and banning the account is pretty low for a company. That account is not this account for the record.

I found and resurrected this account. I understand steam might consider this as protecting themselves but I do believe that is the credit cards role in this. You authenticate by providing your information on purchase. I did not try to pay with Monopoly money.

If I bought 10 of them or 200 games and a bunch of decks. That is totally suspensions but buying a deck to play games? Play station did not ban me when I bought a game console nor did my phone company when I bought a $1500 phone.

This thread has lived long enough. Thanks for people posting. Sounds like they only ban a few customers.

Your credit card has no role with Steam for stolen, or fruad, the credit card company role is to aid VICTIM of those that had their CARD STOLEN, or were not able to get their product such as FRUAD, hence why it has no role for the Merchant only for yourself for protection. Company is only protecting themselves from those that display signs of possible fruad, and are legal right to doing so even if someone disagree / dislike them from being protective of their business.

There no way to ensure 100% of someone using stolen credit card, or trying to commit fruad, hence point why they're allowed to take measures.

[rawWwRrr]

Originally posted by Sleepy Guy:

The article does mimic what I experienced. Steam canceling the transaction after it was approved and banning the account is pretty low for a company. That account is not this account for the record.

I found and resurrected this account. I understand steam might consider this as protecting themselves but I do believe that is the credit cards role in this. You authenticate by providing your information on purchase. I did not try to pay with Monopoly money.

If I bought 10 of them or 200 games and a bunch of decks. That is totally suspensions but buying a deck to play games? Play station did not ban me when I bought a game console nor did my phone company when I bought a $1500 phone.

This thread has lived long enough. Thanks for people posting. Sounds like they only ban a few customers.

If you had a history with Steam, then yes, your purchase would seem less suspicious. Neither this account or the other show any meaningful history.

As far as Valve's decision to cancel the purchase, that is their prerogative. A retailer may take steps to authentic a purchase or not. They are also not obligated to accept every purchase. Depends on how much risk they are willing to accept.

[F4RD1N]

I need some help man. Same thing happened to me.

[Dieter]

This thread was quite old before the recent post, so we're locking it to prevent confusion.