cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ml/post/48547220
https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/78E3-7431-1E88-AD59#retailers
Can I purchase Steam Gift Cards at retailers?
Yes, but only for a limited time.
We introduced Steam Gift Cards to retail stores back in 2012, and added the digital program in 2017. Unfortunately, scammers use gift cards from major brands like Steam to take advantage of all people all over the world.
We’ve responded to gift card scams over the years by taking a number of actions to protect customers, including:
- Working with retailers
- Working with law enforcement
- Making changes to the cards, including adding a prominent scam warning
- Limiting redemption to be in the currency of your Steam wallet
- Limiting availability of cards
- Removing cards from sale when we observed abnormal activity
As we have continued to put more and more restrictions in place, scammers have adapted. They continue to have an impact on Steam customers and other unsuspecting individuals. So we've made the difficult decision to end the Steam Gift Card program at retail stores.
As Steam Gift Cards run out of stock at retail locations, we will not be restocking them. We expect all retailers to be out of stock by the end of 2026. Though we will no longer be selling physical gift cards, you will still have the ability to use your existing gift cards on Steam whenever you choose, subject to local laws.
We also continue to offer Steam Digital Gift Cards, and are working to make this an even better experience. Guest checkout, which we added last year, is another way for family members and friends to gift Steam users with a digital card anytime.
You can learn more about gift card scams here.
Then in that case something like a prepaid debit card (which are available in the same stores) would work just fine.
I know and that's the point i'm making; it won't work without a credit or debit card. The cool think about ~~digital~~ (Edit: I meant physical) gift cards was, one could go into a shop and buy anonymously without any card requirement. That option is no longer possible and therefore doesn't work fine in my opinion. It's a big deal to me.
Prepaid debit cards found in stores (used for gifts) have no requirement for information? You just hand over cash and use the card like normal without a data trail?
That is an anonymous purchasing method.
Which is fine, until the credit card companies start telling you what you can & can't buy.