Steam gift cards go digital-only as Valve fights in-store scams
TL;DR
Valve will stop selling physical Steam gift cards in stores by the end of 2026 due to ongoing gift-card scams; existing gift cards remain usable on Steam, and digital gift cards will continue to be sold. The move follows warnings from regulators and law enforcement, with Valve noting scammers have adapted to the scheme.
- Valve is phasing out physical Steam gift cards due to scammers The Verge
- Physical Steam Gift Cards discontinued. Scammers are to blame. Mashable
- Valve discontinues physical Steam Gift Cards, blames "gift card scams" as scammers adapt to protections PC Guide
- Valve to discontinue physical Steam gift cards by the end of 2026 due to scammers — says nefarious actors continue to exploit them despite years of restrictions Tom's Hardware
- Steam Kills Physical Gift Cards as Scammers Prove Unstoppable Gadget Review
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