With Steam’s growing popularity in the PC gaming arena, Steam gift cards have become the preferred method of payment for games, downloadable content, and even hardware. There are many different Steam gift cards in the market, and with the drastic surge of folks falling prey to scams, it can be quite challenging for people to know which card is authentic.
Imagine spending money on a Steam card that is a total fake. It can be ffrustrating. So, in this article, I will show you what Steam gift cards look like, how to identify them, and where to buy them safely.
Types Of Steam Gift Cards
1. Physical Steam Gift Card Picture
These are traditional plastic cards sold at gaming retail and electronic stores, convenience shops, supermarkets, and retail shops worldwide. They have fixed prices and scratch-off panels that hide their redemption codes, making Steam gift cards harder to lose. The denominations include $25, $50, and $100.
While you can receive the card via email, you can also receive your card through shipping after purchase. The denomination on the physical steam card can be converted to your local currency upon redeeming the card.
2. Steam Electronic Codes
This is a digital type of Steam card which can only be received by having the encrypted codes delivered to you through electronic channels, such as email. The electronic code can work with gift certificates, which can, in turn, be used to buy software, games, and other digital assets on Steam. Also, you can get the Steam electronic code in different denominations from retail stores, which will be converted to your local currency rates when you redeem it.
How To Identify Pictures Of Steam Card Of Counties
1. US Steam Card Picture
The US Steam card is one of the most common kinds of Steam cards, with its physical card available in retail stores across the United States and other parts of the world. The Steam card has the “United States” written boldly on it with the retail store from where the Steam card was purchased. Also, the card has 15 alphanumeric codes with the trademark of the Steam company on it.
US Steam Ecode
The Steam Ecode is a 15 alphanumeric code encrypted and received via electronic channels like email. This is also referred to as the digital card, with the country’s name “United States” on it. Also, there is a clear indication of the denomination on the pic of the Steam card, such that you can either copy the code, print the code as a gift, or redeem the code on Steam.
2. Euro Steam Card Picture
Euro Steam card is exclusively created for European countries that use Euro as their official currency. These countries include France, Germany, and Austria, and the cards are written in French, German, and Austrian languages, respectively. Following this, the price of the exchange value of the Euro Steam card will be the same across these countries in the Eurozone. However, you will see the country of the card with the denomination written boldly on the card, while you can also view the retail store that sells the card.
Euro Steam Ecode
Similar to the choice of language peculiar to the physical Euro Steam card, the little steps to redeeming the Ecode are also in the wording of the countries using the Euro as their local currency. The 15 alphanumeric codes are encrypted while being sent through electronic channels. Moreover, the Euro Steam Ecodes can come in different denominations as low as €50.
3. Australian (AUD) Steam Card Picture
This is a Steam card being used in Australia and other countries. The card is tied to the Australian dollar (AUD) such that its exchange rate is in respect to the AUD. Just like every other physical card, the AUD Steam card has a barcode with the trade of Steam company. There is also the denomination of the card boldly indicated with the 15 alphanumeric codes on it. As English is the official language and is widely spoken across Australia, the instructions on the card are written in English.
Australian Steam Ecode
This Ecode has the Steam card name with the card’s denomination available for proper identification. You can only receive this Ecode via electronic channels like email, with its 15 alphanumeric codes to copy for printing or whatnot.
4. New Zealand (NZD) Steam Card Picture
New Zealand Steam card has distinguishable features of products you can use the card to buy. The instructions and terms & conditions on the card are written in English with the amount of the card on it. Also, on the pic of the Steam card, there are 15 alphanumeric codes with the trademark of Steam company imprinted on it. The card has a serial number, so it cannot be redeemed more than once.
5. UK Steam Gift Card Picture
The UK Steam card has its instructions and terms & conditions written in English; as such, the UK card cannot appear in any other language than English. The card consists of 15 alphanumeric codes with the trademark of Steam imprinted on it. The denomination of the UK steam card can be as low as £25.
6. Switzerland (CHF) Steam Gift Card Picture
Switzerland is a multicultural country with different languages widely spoken in the country. However, the preponderance of people in Switzerland speak either French or German; as such, they are notable for being the country’s two official languages. Therefore, the Switzerland Steam card has instructions written in French and German. The card has 15 alphanumeric codes with the Steam company trademarked on it.
Switzerland Steam Ecode
The Ecode appears in a ticket form with all the necessary details. The cards show the amount it bears with the 15 alphanumeric codes to redeem the card.
7. Canada (CAD) Steam Gift Card Picture
Similar to other Steam cards, the Canada Steam card has 15 alphanumeric codes with the card’s serial number. The official languages in Canada are French and English. Therefore, the card’s instructions and terms & conditions are in the two languages.
Common Steam Gift Card Security Features to Check
Have you ever found yourself in possession of a Steam card and not sure if it is real or fake? You are not alone. Many gamers and gift card purchasers have been scammed because they lack knowledge of what to look out for.
A friend purchased a Steam card from an online vendor, and the price was too good to be true. But when he scratched the panel off, he found that the code had already been used. Sadly, this happens more than people would imagine.
To avoid this, here is what you should verify before purchasing Steam gift cards.
- Holographic Features: Valid Steam gift cards often include holograms or unique markings to help identify real cards from counterfeits. Be cautious if the card looks flat and plain; it’s most likely fake.
- Barcodes: All Steam cards are country-specific, restricting their usage to the country where they were purchased. You might fall for international fraud if the barcode seems out of place.
- Printing Quality: Have you ever noticed a Steam logo on a card appearing out of focus or pixelated? If yes, that is likely a fake card. Genuine Steam cards are always sharp and well-printed.
- Scratch-off Panel: Always confirm that the scratchable part of the card is not rough and has not been scratched before buying. An already scratched-off area is a warning sign.
Troubleshooting Steam Gift Card Issues
If you’re having problems with your Steam Gift Card, follow the steps below to ensure you are not doing something wrong.
- Verify if the code isn’t working because you’re not typing the code and the dashes correctly
- Confirm if you are using the card in the appropriate region, as it could be in the region-restricted category
- If the code shows as used, reach out to the store you purchased it from with your receipt
- When everything else fails, turn to Steam Support and submit a ticket along with purchase evidence.
Steam Gift Card Scams to Watch For
1. The “Steam Support Agent” Scam
The impersonation of Steam support agents is a common scam. The scammer contacts users, claiming that their account has a problem that can only be solved with gift card information.
I remember running into a gamer who got a message from “Steam Support,” saying his account was flagged for suspicious purchases. This fake support agent instructed him to “verify ownership,” asking to share the most recent Steam gift card purchases. He shared the codes, but the scammer vanished, and his $100 Steam gift card was instantly redeemed.
Always remember that legitimate Steam support will not ask for your gift card codes. All communication is done with the Steam tickets system, so beware of direct messages or emails.
2. The “Discounted Steam Card” Trap
Scammers regularly offer Steam gift cards at ridiculously low prices on social media, forums, or marketplaces.
A friend of mine who is a bargain hunter found a seller offering $50 Steam cards for just $30. After paying for the card, she was given a code already redeemed. When she demanded an explanation, the seller said it must have been a mistake and that he would send a new code. He then blocked all further communication.
You should purchase Steam gift cards only from authorized retailers listed on Steam’s official website or well-established stores. If a deal seems too good to be true, it almost certainly is.
Take Action to Protect Your Steam Wallet
Ready to safely use Steam gift cards? Here’s what you should do next:
- Read retailer reviews before you make a purchase.
- Enable Steam Guard two-factor authentication to shield your Steam account from breaches and loss of access to your wallet.
- Report the suspected fraudulent Steam gift card or scam attempt to Steam Support and the retailer from which you bought it.
- Retain the purchase receipts whenever Steam gift cards are bought, as they may be needed to prove legitimate purchases.
- Follow Steam’s official blog and support pages to stay updated on the latest security measures and known scam tactics targeting Steam users.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Pictures Of Steam Gift Cards
Can I use Steam cards from different regions?
No, Steam gift cards are tailored to specific regions. You can only redeem a Steam gift card in the country or region it was purchased for. For example, a US Steam gift card can only be added to a US Steam account. Attempting to redeem a card from a different region will result in an error message. This region restriction is part of Steam’s policy to maintain regional pricing differences.
Do Steam gift cards expire?
No, Steam gift cards do not expire. Once you purchase a Steam gift card, the funds remain unchanged until redeemed. This makes them a reliable gift option even when unsure when the recipient will use the card. However, certain regional consumer protection laws might affect this in some countries.
What payment methods can I use to buy Steam cards?
Steam gift cards can be purchased using various payment methods depending on where you buy them. At retail stores, you can typically pay with cash, credit/debit cards, or mobile payment apps. When purchasing digital codes online, common payment options include credit/debit cards, PayPal, Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies (from select retailers), bank transfers, mobile payment services like Venmo or Cash App, and store-specific payment methods at retailers like Amazon or Walmart
Conclusion
Steam gift cards are a fantastic way to access the latest games and content, but only if you buy authentic cards. Whether you’re purchasing a physical or digital card, taking a few extra minutes to verify its legitimacy can save you from disappointment—or worse, financial loss.
Have you ever encountered a fake Steam card? Share your experience in the comments below. Your story might help others avoid scams.
