Scratched Steam Card? Here’s What to Do

Gift cards are great gift options. Everyone loves receiving one from friends and loved ones on their special day. According to statistics, 90% of people consider a gift card an appropriate gift choice. However, no one wants a gift card that has no reward.

While some problems are hard to solve, a scratched steam card is not. I once had a scratched Steam card, but I was able to fix it and trade it on Ridima for the cash equivalent. So, you got a scratched steam card? Here’s what to do.

What Is a Steam Gift Card?

A Steam gift card is one of the most common gift cards in the world. It is the favourite card of every gamer, as Steam is among the largest global distributors of video games. It comes in different denominations so that users can choose the perfect one. A Steam gift card gives you access to the Steam platform and endless hours of entertainment.

What Happens When My Steam Gift Card is Scratched?

The valuable part of your Steam gift card is the numbers on it. However, the fact that your Steam gift card is scratched does not mean the end. You can still make the best use of it. However, there are certain things to ascertain if your card is still valuable or not;

How much of the code is missing

If you have a scratched Steam card, start by checking how much of the code is still readable. Keep in mind that the code may not always be fully visible. Depending on the extent of the damage, parts or even the entire code might be missing or difficult to read.

If you can see any part of the code, jot it down somewhere safe. You can refer to this if you need to contact customer support. Even if the code is not visible at all, don’t worry! You still have options, like reaching out to customer service or trying to redeem the card without the full code.

Can You Decipher the Scratched Off Code?

If part of the code is still visible, you might be able to piece together what is left and use it. Look closely at the remaining numbers and letters, trying to match them up to form the complete code. If you successfully figure it out, you can enter it in the Steam Store to make a purchase.

That said, it can be tricky since you may not have all the information needed to confirm the code. If you are able to guess the code but it does not work, reaching out to Steam customer support could help. Read the next point to see how to get started.

Contact Customer Care

If you have tried everything to figure out the code but still can’t get it to work, contact Steam Customer Support. They can help resolve issues with scratched cards. When you contact them—whether by email or on their official site—include details like the purchase date, the retailer, and photos of the card showing the damage.

Customer support will guide you on the next steps and, in some cases, may provide a replacement code or an alternative solution. Be sure to follow their instructions closely to avoid any further issues. You may also need to provide a picture or a receipt or scan the card for further assistance.

Helpful Tips To Prevent Scratched Steam Cards

Prevention is always better than cure. Trying to resolve a scratched steam card or calling customer support is highly discouraging. Hence, you can avoid stories that touch by following these helpful tips;

Keep Your Cards Stored Securely

Storage is important when you want to store your Steam cards. You can get a protective sleeve or plastic card holder to keep them from getting scratched. A wallet or pocket is not an ideal place.

Handle with Care

Always handle your Steam cards like you are handling money. These cards are fragile and may not be as sturdy as your credit or debit cards.

Avoid Exposure to Heat and Moisture

Heat and water have degrading abilities. Hence, you should prevent them from touching your gift cards. Always holding your gift card is not the best, as sweat can ruin the card.

Other Common Errors With Steam Gift Cards.

Invalid code or Not Activated

The “Not activated/Invalid Code” error message appears when you enter incorrect information for your gift card at the point of sale. Try to use your Steam gift card while carefully inserting the codes.

Already redeemed

The error “Already Redeemed” means that someone has already used your Steam gift card. However, the problem could be with Steam. You can contact Steam support to resolve this problem. If customer support is unable to resolve this challenge, you may need to purchase another Steam gift card.

Conclusion

When trying to decipher the missing code on your scratched Steam card, look out for ‘B’ for ‘8’, ‘O’ for ‘0’, ‘Z’ for ‘2’, ‘S’ for ‘5’ and vice versa. Remember, prevention is the best care you can give your gift cards. However, you can always get the virtual version on Ridima to be safe. Digital assets to cash, Anytime, Anywhere!