Trading on Steam can be exciting, but it also comes with risks.
One of the best ways to protect yourself and your items is by checking the reputation of the traders you deal with.
This guide explains the trusted websites and methods to verify trader reputations, helping you trade safely and confidently.

An impersonator is a scammer who pretends to be someone else — usually a trusted trader, popular user, or even a Steam admin/moderator.
Their goal is to gain your trust so you’ll send them your items or trade with them under false pretenses.

• Fake Profiles
  They copy another user’s name, profile picture, level, badges, and description.
  The only difference is usually a slightly different URL (always check the Steam profile link carefully!).
  
• “Middleman” Scams
  They claim a “Steam admin” or “trusted middleman” will help secure your trade.
  ⚠️ There are no Steam admins who handle trades. Steam Support never helps with trading.
  
• Fake “Verification” Messages
  They tell you your items need to be “verified” or “checked for duplication.”
  This is 100% fake. No one can “verify” your items.
  
• Discord Impersonation
  They contact you on Discord, pretending to be a trader you know from Steam.
  Always confirm through Steam first — not Discord.

• 1. Always check Steam IDs
  Right-click their name → “Copy Page URL” → Compare it to the real user’s profile.
  If even one letter is different, it’s a fake.
  
• 2. Never trust “Steam admins”
  Valve employees have a special badge on their profile. If you don’t see that, they’re lying.
  
• 3. Confirm trades in Steam Chat only
  Don’t switch to Discord, Instagram, or other platforms. Keep all communication inside Steam.
  
• 4. Use Steam’s official trade window
  Never send items as “gifts” or outside the trade system.
  The trade window clearly shows what both sides are offering — if something looks wrong, cancel immediately.
  
• 5. Don’t rush
  Scammers often say things like “hurry up” or “this offer expires soon.”
  Take your time. A real trader won’t pressure you.

• Bookmark your real friends’ profiles to avoid confusion.
  
• Set your inventory to private if you’re not actively trading.
  
• Enable Steam Guard Mobile Authenticator for extra security.
  
• Report impersonator profiles directly to Steam → “Report Violation” → “Impersonating another user.”

Steam Support will never contact you to trade, verify, or recover items.
Anyone claiming to be a Steam admin, moderator, or bot offering item checks is a scammer.

If you see someone being targeted by an impersonator, warn them and share this guide.
The more people know, the fewer get scammed.

The Steam API scam is a trick used by scammers to steal your items without you realizing it.
It happens when you log into a fake website that looks like a real trading site, and that site secretly steals your Steam API key.
Once they have your key, they can cancel your real trades and replace them with fake ones that go to the scammer’s account — all automatically.

• 1. You visit a fake website
  It looks identical to a real trading or gambling site (like a skin exchange, jackpot, or trade bot site).
  You’re asked to “Sign in through Steam”, but it’s a fake login page.
  
• 2. You enter your Steam login info
  The site steals your login credentials and uses them to access your Steam account.
  
• 3. Your API key is stolen
  The site secretly sets a new Steam Web API key on your account.
  With that key, scammers can monitor and control your trades.
  
• 4. Your real trades get hijacked
  When you make a legit trade, the scammer instantly cancels it and replaces it with a fake trade offer that looks the same — except their account receives your items.

• 1. Only log in to the official Steam website
  Always check the URL before logging in:
  ✅ https://gtm.steamproxy.vip
  ❌ steamcommunitty.com, steampowered.trade, steamcommunity.ru, etc.
  
• 2. Check your Steam API key regularly
  Go to: https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/dev/apikey
  If you see a domain listed that you don’t recognize, click “Revoke My Steam Web API Key” immediately.
  
• 3. Enable Steam Guard Mobile Authenticator
  This adds an extra layer of protection and makes it much harder for scammers to access your account.
  
• 4. Never log in through third-party links
  Only use official sites or those verified by the Steam community.
  Be especially careful with links shared in Steam chat or Discord.
  
• 5. Double-check every trade offer
  Before confirming on your phone, look carefully at who you’re trading with.
  If it’s not your intended partner, cancel immediately.

If you suspect you’ve been affected:

• 1️⃣ Visit https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/dev/apikey
  
• 2️⃣ Click “Revoke My Steam Web API Key”
  
• 3️⃣ Change your Steam password
  
• 4️⃣ Log out of all other devices
  
• 5️⃣ Deauthorize suspicious apps at: Steam Guard Settings
  
• 6️⃣ Scan your PC for malware or browser extensions that could be malicious

Steam Support will never ask for your API key, login credentials, or to log in to external sites.
Never share your Steam Guard codes or click on suspicious links.
If you’ve been scammed, contact Steam Support immediately.

• Bookmark real trading sites and only use those saved links.
  
• Avoid links from random Steam profiles or Discord messages.
  
• Use a password manager to recognize phishing sites.
  
• Don’t disable Steam Guard — ever.

The API scam is silent but deadly — many users lose thousands in items without noticing until it’s too late.
Share this guide and help others protect their accounts.

[ b ]Phishing[/b] is when scammers try to trick you into giving away sensitive info — such as your Steam login, Steam Guard codes, or other account details — by pretending to be a trustworthy service or user.
They use fake websites, deceptive messages, emails, or chat links to steal credentials or install malware.

• Fake login pages
  Scammers create websites that look exactly like Steam’s login page. You enter your details and they capture them.
  
• Malicious links in chat or email
  Links that claim to be trade confirmations, item checks, or "gift claims" but lead to phishing sites.
  
• Impersonation in Steam chat / trade offers
  Profiles that pretend to be admins, bots, or trusted traders and send links or request codes.
  
• Phony support emails or messages
  Emails claiming your account is compromised or that you need to "verify" to avoid a ban.
  
• Malicious attachments / browser extensions
  Files or extensions that install keyloggers or steal cookies and tokens.

• 1. Always check the URL before logging in
  Only log in at: https://gtm.steamproxy.vip (or other official Valve domains). Look for the secure padlock and exact domain spelling.
  
• 2. Never enter credentials on sites you reached through chat links
  Type the Steam address manually or use a bookmark you created earlier.
  
• 3. Keep Steam Guard Mobile Authenticator enabled
  Steam Guard codes sent by SMS or email can be phished — the mobile authenticator is the safest option.
  
• 4. Don’t share your Steam Guard codes or passwords
  No legitimate site or moderator will ever ask for your code or password.
  
• 5. Verify suspicious messages via the Steam client
  If someone DMs you a "trade link" or "verification", confirm in Steam chat and check their profile carefully.
  
• 6. Use a password manager
  Password managers help detect fake sites because they won't autofill credentials on mismatched domains.
  
• 7. Avoid downloading unknown attachments or browser extensions
  If you need a tool, get it from official sources only.

• 1️⃣ Immediately change your Steam password at https://gtm.steamproxy.vip.
  
• 2️⃣ Revoke unauthorized sessions: Log out of all other devices (Steam Settings → Account → Manage Steam Guard).
  
• 3️⃣ If you used Steam Guard codes, re-secure your mobile authenticator or change your email password.
  
• 4️⃣ Scan your PC for malware and remove suspicious browser extensions.
  
• 5️⃣ If you lost items or were scammed, contact Steam Support at https://help.steampowered.com and provide all details.
  
• 6️⃣ Revoke any unknown API keys or connected apps (if applicable).

• Unexpected DM with a link.
  
• “Verify now” or “your items will be locked” panic messages.
  
• Sites with misspelled URLs, odd domains, or missing SSL padlock.
  
• Requests for Steam Guard codes, passwords, or to “confirm” on an external site.

• Bookmark trusted trading sites and community resources.
  
• Educate your friends — attackers use social engineering on friend groups.
  
• Use two separate accounts for high-value trading and everyday use (optional).
  
• Report phishing profiles and links to Steam and to the community where you found them.

Phishing is the most common way attackers gain access to accounts. Share this guide, warn others, and keep your account protected.

Fake items are counterfeit, duplicated, or otherwise illegitimate in-game items that scammers try to pass off as genuine.
They can look identical in your inventory but may be duplicated copies, low-quality alternatives, or items obtained by cheating — and they often lose value or can get removed from your account.

• Duped / duplicated items
  Items produced by exploiters or dupers that shouldn’t exist in normal circulation.
  
• Low-quality repaint / texture edits
  Visual edits or renamed items that pretend to be rare skins or patterns.
  
• Photoshop images in listings
  Scammers show fake screenshots to prove an item exists, but the actual trade contains a different item.
  
• Mislisted items
  Seller lists a genuine item in images but sends a cheaper/standard item in the trade.
  
• “Preview” trades
  They ask you to accept a small preview trade first, then later swap or request another trade to “confirm” — classic switcheroo.

• 1. Inspect the item in the Steam trade window
  Always confirm the exact item (name, wear/float, stickers, pattern index if relevant) inside the trade interface — screenshots can be forged.
  
• 2. Check item history & inspect link (where available)
  For games that support item inspection (CS:GO, TF2), use the in-client inspect tool to verify pattern/wear. Ask for an inspect link and compare.
  
• 3. Beware of screenshots
  Screenshots are easy to fake. If a seller relies on pictures alone, insist on an in-client inspection or an immediate trade window preview.
  
• 4. Confirm unusual pricing
  If an item is priced way below market value, it might be fake, duplicated, or tied to a risky trade. Check market history and recent sales.
  
• 5. Ask direct questions
  Ask the seller how they obtained the item. Vague answers, pressure to hurry, or refusal to trade through the official window are red flags.

• 1. Use the Steam trade window always
  Never accept items outside of the official trade UI. The window displays exact item names and properties.
  
• 2. Insist on inspect links for inspectable games
  If they can’t provide one, don’t trade. An inspect link helps verify float value, pattern, and stickers.
  
• 3. Cross-check market listings
  Look up identical items on the Steam Community Market or third-party price trackers to confirm market realism.
  
• 4. Avoid “too good to be true” offers
  If a rare item is offered at a giveaway price, it’s probably a fake or part of a scam.
  
• 5. Trade with established/trusted users
  Prefer users with history, positive comments, and well-known community reputation. Bookmark trusted traders.

• 1️⃣ Do NOT trade it away. Keep the item in your inventory as evidence.
  
• 2️⃣ Take screenshots of the trade window, profile, and item details.
  
• 3️⃣ Report the user through Steam: Profile → More → Report Violation → Infringing/Scam content.
  
• 4️⃣ Contact Steam Support with evidence if you lost value or were scammed: https://help.steampowered.com.
  
• 5️⃣ Share details in the relevant community hub to warn others (include screenshots, URLs, and trade IDs).

• Seller refuses inspect links or official trade preview.
  
• Screenshots only, no in-client inspection.
  
• Price far below market value with pressure to accept.
  
• Seller asks you to “trade first” or use an external site/app.
  
• Unverified profile, new account, or empty inventory.

• Keep a list of trusted traders and bookmark their profiles.
  
• Use third-party price checkers and float/pattern databases for inspectable items.
  
• If you frequently trade high-value items, consider creating a separate account for listing/checking.
  
• Educate newcomers — fake items often prey on inexperienced traders.

Always verify items inside the official Steam trade window and never rely solely on screenshots or promises.
If something looks off — cancel the trade, gather evidence, and report.

Your reputation in the trading community is your most valuable asset.
A good reputation helps you find trustworthy partners, close safer trades, and avoid being flagged as suspicious.
Meanwhile, scammers are quickly exposed and banned from most trading circles.
This guide shows you where and how to check or prove your Steam trading reputation safely.

• 1. https://rep.tf
  One of the most popular tools to check a trader’s background.
  It instantly scans multiple sources — such as SteamRep, backpack.tf, and marketplace histories — to show if a user has any scam or ban reports.
  What it shows:
  • SteamRep status
  • Trade bans / VAC bans
  • Backpack.tf trust score
  • Steam level and account age
  • Common friends or groups
  Tip: Always check that the Steam ID or URL you enter matches the exact trader (scammers often clone profiles).
  
• 2. https://steamrep.com -CLOSED
  The most recognized database for scammer reports and reputation.
  Used by thousands of traders and communities to identify trustworthy users or known scammers.
  What to look for:
  ✅ No reports or Clean record = good sign
  ⚠️ Under investigation = risky
  ❌ Scammer tag = avoid immediately
  Tip: You can also report scammers on SteamRep (if you have solid evidence).
  
• 2. https://steamtrades.com
  What to look for:
  ✅ +REP = check if is real
  ❌ -REP = check if is real, sustain by proofs
  
• 3. backpack.tf Trust System[backpack.tf]
  Trusted by the Team Fortress 2 and item trading community.
  Users can leave positive, neutral, or negative feedback on trades.
  What to look for:
  • A high number of positive trust comments
  • Detailed comments about smooth trades
  • Consistent reputation over time
  Tip: Beware of fake trust comments — always check the user’s trading history.
  
• 4. https://bazaar.tf and https://marketplace.tf
  These sites also show account age, verified trades, and feedback from successful sales.
  Marketplace.tf requires verified sellers, adding an extra layer of security.
  
• 5. Steam Community Profile Comments
  While not 100% reliable, profile comments can show trade activity or thanks from other users.
  Look for comments from well-known traders or verified accounts.
  Tip: Fake comments are common — don’t rely on this alone.

• 1️⃣ Copy their profile URL and check it on https://rep.tf and https://steamrep.com.
  
• 2️⃣ Compare Steam levels, playtime, and inventory with what they claim.
  
• 3️⃣ Check if they’re part of known trading groups (e.g., Steam Trading Community, CSGORep).
  
• 4️⃣ Inspect their backpack.tf trust or marketplace history if available.
  
• 5️⃣ Ask for previous trading partners if it’s a high-value trade.

• Fake rep screenshots — scammers use edited images or stolen screenshots to look trustworthy.
  
• “I’m friends with an admin” — no such thing; admins never mediate trades.
  
• Fake links to rep pages — double-check the URL (it must be rep.tf or steamrep.com).
  
• Paid reputation offers — never buy or sell reputation. It’s always earned legitimately.

• Trade fairly and communicate clearly.
  
• Leave honest feedback after successful trades.
  
• Join reputable trading groups or discords.
  
• Keep your profile public and transparent.
  
• Never delete or fake rep comments.

Steam itself does NOT provide an official “reputation system.”
All rep tools (rep.tf, SteamRep, etc.) are community-based.
Use multiple sources, verify URLs, and never trust screenshots alone.

A clean, transparent trading record helps the whole Steam community stay safe.
Always double-check before trading, and help others do the same by sharing legitimate reputation links.

A special thanks to Business Monkeys Hub for supporting the creation of this guide and helping the Steam trading community stay safe.
Their efforts make trading safer, more transparent, and more enjoyable for everyone.
If you wanna support guide creator:
https://steamcommunity.com/tradeoffer/new/?partner=141896105&token=MYxLEVJu

Useful guide too
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3387859596