This scam is very simple, and simple to avoid. Don't use 3rd party sites. If you want to use 3rd party sites for a variety of reasons, log into gtm.you1.cn first, then log into the 3rd party site. Do not log into 3rd party sites directly. Once you log into gtm.you1.cn go back to the 3rd party site and sign in.

You should see this:


You should not see this:

This is probably the most common scam. This is also a simple scam, the user you are looking to trade is offering you real life currency for your items. This may include but is not limited too:

• Paypal
  
• Zelle
  
• Crypto Currencies
  
• Steam Gift Cards
  
• Prepaid Visa Cards

If someone is offering you cash it is best to remove them and report them via their steam profile. 9 out of 10 times, you are going to get scammed.

Your API key is synced on your account, no one has the same API key. If you log into a fake site or get your account hacked someone could have your Steam API key, this means they can send trade offers, decline trade offers and many other things. If your account was hacked and you get it back, make sure to change your password and revoke your API key. People using this scam method may also set your profile bio to something like "Your account will be banned in 48 hours, send skins to a friend". This is obviously fake.

This is another simple scam. This scam happens when someone has more then one skin of the same type. So they will tell you, you are trading for the Factory New version, but will send you an offer for a Field Tested version. This can be very easy today with the addition of the storage units. The scammer can put the Field Tested version into a storage unit, showing only the Factory New in their inventory. You can hover over the trade offer to see the wear of the item.

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⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀The trade you think you are getting:

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀The trade you are actually getting:

This scam is yet again, another simple scam. Someone will make an account identical to an account on your friends list. They may also add you, maybe a friend, content creator or family member. They will then use this false account to get your items. They might want you to send items so they can "use" them, make a video with them or they might try another scam method, like the IRL currency scam.

This is once again, another simple scam. This scam happens when someone comes to you with an item from another game, which has a high market price but a low buy order. When you see this item on the steam market, or in 3rd party overlays, it shows the items as the user listed price, not the actual price. This causes you to think you are getting an item worth more then you actually are. Scammers would also buy knives from other games that look like CS:GO knives, but aren't. Make sure you trade skins for games you own. Also make sure the items buy order is at least 90% of the market listing price.

This scam happens when someone comes to you and tells you, your items are not safe. There is no such thing as skins not being safe. If anyone says they need to verify them, they are scamming you. They may be pretending to be a Steam admin, no Steam admin will ever add you.

If you were actually scammed please use [Part 9, How to Report an Actual Scammer] to report them. This is how you report someone who you reasonably suspect might be a scammer.

First, go to their profile, select "More", once the menu drops down, click on "Report Player"


Next, click on "They are involved in theft, scamming, fraud or other malicious activity."


After that, click "Submit this account for review."


Finally, fill in the box with what happened.

If you were not actually scammed please use [Part 8, How To Report a Suspected Scammer] to report them. This is how you report someone who you know for a fact is a scammer.

First, from the home page of Steam, Click on "Support" at the top of the screen.

Next, click on "Trading, Gifting, Market and Steam Points".


After that, click on "Trading".


To continue, click on "I'd like to report a scammer".


Finally, click on the user that scammed you.


This will bring up the users profile, a report box and your recent trade history with that user. Write what happened in the "Enter Report Here" section. Once you are finished Hit the "Report" button.

This is the end of my guide on how to prevent yourself from being scammed, and how to protect your account. I have made a lot of guides, and this guide is definitely the most important. Please like, rate and share this guide to help prevent others from being scammed.