Bought game on dummy Steam account

[Witcher]

Recently I bought Stellar Blade Complete Edition from G2A without realising was not getting a Steam key. Game belonged to another Steam account that I can't change email, password or country for family share.

I have raised a payment dispute with G2A and seller, and can no longer log into Steam account. I asked for a refund but seller declined. I have played the game from the Steam account as it's not own by me.

Wondering if anyone else has fallen to this scam, and what can be done?

[rawWwRrr]

Originally posted by Witcher:

Wondering if anyone else has fallen to this scam

Yes, many have. And many more don't see it as a scam.

Originally posted by Witcher:

and what can be done?

Issue a chargeback if you can. Then stop buying from there.

[Witcher]

Originally posted by rawWwRrr:

Originally posted by Witcher:

and what can be done?

Issue a chargeback if you can. Then stop buying from there.

Please explain how to to issue a chargeback.

[Witcher]

Originally posted by rawWwRrr:

Originally posted by Witcher:

Wondering if anyone else has fallen to this scam

Yes, many have. And many more don't see it as a scam.

How is this not a scam when you have no control over the Steam account which belongs to a different region?

[ReBoot]

Originally posted by Witcher:

Originally posted by rawWwRrr:

Issue a chargeback if you can. Then stop buying from there.

Please explain how to to issue a chargeback.

Contact your payment processor.

Originally posted by Witcher:

Originally posted by rawWwRrr:

Yes, many have. And many more don't see it as a scam.

How is this not a scam when you have no control over the Steam account which belongs to a different region?

G2A, as scummy as it is, states the type of license you're buying. Accounts or sharing shenanigans are named as such on the product page. And if you got exactly what you're told you'd be getting, that's not a scam. Assuming it would always be a key was you fooling yourself, not them fooling you.

[Witcher]

Originally posted by ReBoot:

Originally posted by Witcher:

Please explain how to to issue a chargeback.

Contact your payment processor.

If you mean payment dispute or refund, I have already.

Originally posted by ReBoot:

G2A, as scummy as it is, states the type of license you're buying. Accounts or sharing shenanigans are named as such on the product page. And if you got exactly what you're told you'd be getting, that's not a scam. Assuming it would always be a key was you fooling yourself, not them fooling you.

When I reported to my bank, they knew which seller I was reporting a scam - they are well known because others have reported before me. The product details are deceiving.

Edit: Steam sell games for different prices for different regions and some games are PS+ banned. I would like a Steam rep to comment on if they allow these scummy practises.

[Haruspex]

Originally posted by Witcher:

I would like a Steam rep to comment on if they allow these scummy practises.

Nobody from Valve is going to comment.

Does Valve allow it? I'm not sure what they could do to stop it. Valve doesn't want any of their customers to get scammed, but they can't protect people from themselves.

At the very least, now you know, and you won't fall for it again.

[м]

Originally posted by Witcher:

without realising was not getting a Steam key

Don't think you can blame anyone but yourself in this case.

Even shady sites like G2A have a big disclaimer on the offers stating that it's an account and not a key.

[Lilim]

Originally posted by Witcher:

I would like a Steam rep to comment on if they allow these scummy practises.

This is a user forum. No Steam reps here.

It's not allowed to buy or sell a Steam account.

Buying or selling a Steam account (FAQ)

Originally posted by Steam Online Conduct:

As a Steam subscriber you agree to abide by the following conduct rules. In general, as a Steam user you should be a good online citizen and not do anything that prevents any other Steam user from using and enjoying Steam.

More specifically, you shall not do, or attempt to do, any of the following on Steam:

• Engage in commercial activity
  Examples of such prohibited behavior include: posting advertisements; running contests; gambling; buying or selling Steam accounts; selling content, gift cards, or other items; and begging.

Unfortunately, Valve can't do anything about that third-party site.

Don't buy games from G2A.

[76561198407601200]

Originally posted by Witcher:

Edit: Steam sell games for different prices for different regions and some games are PS+ banned. I would like a Steam rep to comment on if they allow these scummy practises.

If a developer wants to make X amount of dollars per sale that is simply what they get. You are in no way, shape or form obligated to purchase games nor are the developers obligate to price them according to what you feel it should be. You either wait until it goes on sale or simply vote with your wallet.

[Crazy Tiger]

Originally posted by Witcher:

Originally posted by ReBoot:

Contact your payment processor.

If you mean payment dispute or refund, I have already.

Originally posted by ReBoot:

G2A, as scummy as it is, states the type of license you're buying. Accounts or sharing shenanigans are named as such on the product page. And if you got exactly what you're told you'd be getting, that's not a scam. Assuming it would always be a key was you fooling yourself, not them fooling you.

When I reported to my bank, they knew which seller I was reporting a scam - they are well known because others have reported before me. The product details are deceiving.

Edit: Steam sell games for different prices for different regions and some games are PS+ banned. I would like a Steam rep to comment on if they allow these scummy practises.

If the product details on the website state that you're getting a (family shared) account, then the details are not deceiving. It just means you didn't read properly.

That aside from the fact that nobody should ever use that site since it's a know scam site. Game developers have stated they prefer people pirate their games instead of purchasing it there, so no money goes to the criminals.

Regional prices and DRM accounts are not "scummy" practises and according to Steam guidelines. They advise both regional pricing *and* own DRM. You should read the Steamwork documentation, that'll shed some light.

[Lithurge]

Originally posted by Witcher:

I would like a Steam rep to comment on if they allow these scummy practises.

They don't support the practices, they state it clearly in the ToS.

Your Account, including any information pertaining to it (e.g.: contact information, billing information, Account history and Subscriptions, etc.), is strictly personal. You may therefore not sell or charge others for the right to use your Account,

https://store.steampowered.com/subscriber_agreement#1