Hello this is SpRaY and today i wanted to make a guide on how to avoid and how to get rid of the Steam API Scam.

So let`s start with what is an "API Scam" exactly, well every steam account has an api key which basically controls some actions in your account (editing your profile, editing your trade offers, listing items on the market etc), the scariest and easiest way of getting scammed these days is when your key is stolen, most people get their key stolen by logging into a phishing site, they fill up their details (password, username, email and sometimes their security code they get sent from their mobile authenticator) they log in and then the scammer have almost full control over their account, most of the time the scammer waits for the victim to send an offer with his items and then quickly changes the offer, he sets up a bot that is impersonating the person the victim wanted to trade with and re-direct the offer to a bot he set up, that`s why its really important to always check twice before confirming an offer in your mobile device because its really hard to know when your account is hacked.
easiest way to see if everything is fine is by just checking in the confirmation tab in your phone if you are getting the items you wanted there if you want to take it another step see if the steam level and registration date of the person you want to trade with is correct.

now after the explenation let`s get into on how to avoid it and get rid of it!

HOW TO AVOID IT:

1. DO NOT Log into ANY Site that you do not trust or know.

2. Make sure that the site you want to log into is Trustworthy (search for the name of the site on google and try reading about other people experience on that site)

HOW TO FIX IT AND GET THE ACCESS TO YOUR ACCOUNT BACK:

Open Steam and than go to Steam->Settings->Account->Manage Steam Guard Account Security->Deauthorize All Other Devices.

Wait for 5 minutes at least and then try to send an offer to a friend (do not forget to check in the "confirmation" tab on your phone if the registration date and level of the friend you trade with is the same!)

If somehow you still cant trade normally then i would suggest to restart your password, some of you may get a trading cooldown because of it but if the first step did not work its worth it.

Contacting steam support is a must if you still cant trade normally after doing what i`ve said, they can give extra help!

Hope i helped, ːsteamhappyː