"Scammers have adapted": Valve confirms that physical Steam Gift Cards are dead. Once the current stocks are sold through, they're done.
Windows Central • • general
Key Points:
- Valve announced it will stop offering new stocks of physical Steam Gift Cards at retail stores, though digital Steam Gift Cards will still be available directly from Valve.
- The decision is driven by the widespread use of physical gift cards in scams targeting vulnerable individuals worldwide, despite Valve's ongoing efforts to combat such fraud.
- Existing physical Steam Gift Cards will remain valid and honored, but once current retail stock is sold out, no new physical cards will be issued.
- Valve has implemented multiple anti-scam measures over the years, including collaborating with retailers and law enforcement, adding scam warnings, and limiting card redemption options.
- The company expects physical Steam Gift Cards to be available until the end of 2026, after which they will be permanently discontinued, reflecting a broader industry trend against physical gift cards due to fraud concerns.