CS2 Safe Trading Guide

Scammers trick you into giving your Steam API key, then hijack your trades. They create phishing sites that request your API key, then auto-cancel your real trades and replace them with their own.

How to spot it:

• Never enter your API key on any third-party site
• Go to steamcommunity.com/dev/apikey and revoke any key you didn't set yourself
• Legitimate services never ask for your API key directly

Scammer changes items in the trade window at the last second. They add items, then quickly remove or replace expensive ones hoping you won't notice the switch.

How to spot it:

• Always verify every item in the trade window before confirming
• Take your time -- never rush through a trade
• If items were removed or changed, cancel immediately

Scammer pretends to be a well-known trader, streamer, or marketplace bot. They copy the profile picture, use a similar name, and show fake screenshots of reputation.

How to spot it:

• Check the SteamID, account creation date, and profile URL
• Real traders have established accounts with history
• Verify through official channels, not screenshots

Fake websites designed to look like real marketplaces. URLs look similar (e.g., skinp0rt.com, buff163.net) but steal your Steam login credentials when you try to sign in.

How to spot it:

• Always check the URL carefully before entering credentials
• Bookmark real marketplace sites and only use bookmarks
• Use Steam's built-in browser login when possible

Scammer insists on using a "trusted middleman" who is actually their alt account. For expensive items, they suggest a middleman for "safety", who then disappears with your items.

How to spot it:

• Use established marketplace escrow systems only
• Never use a middleman suggested by the other party
• Legitimate trades don't need random middlemen

Payment reversed after you send the skin. They pay via PayPal (reversible), you send the skin, then they file a chargeback dispute and get both the money and the skin.

How to spot it:

• Only use non-reversible payment methods or marketplace escrow
• Avoid PayPal Friends & Family for skin trades
• Use established marketplaces with buyer/seller protection

Rigged "free skin" sites that steal your inventory. They promise free skins through deposits, referrals, or "winning", but the games are rigged or they simply steal your deposited items.

How to spot it:

• If it sounds too good to be true, it is
• Stick to known, reputable marketplaces
• Never deposit skins into unverified sites

Fake tournament invites, "vote for my team", or "check out this skin" messages. They send you a link to "vote" or "check", but it's actually a phishing site that steals your credentials.

How to spot it:

• Never click links from strangers on Discord or Steam
• Real tournaments use official websites and channels
• "Vote for my team" is almost always a scam