How to Respond to Fraud Accusations in Video Game Trading

Getting accused of fraud in video game trading can feel like being slapped with a false criminal charge. One moment you're trading a rare item with a friend, the next you're told you’ve scammed someone - and your account might be locked. But not all accusations are real. Some are scams themselves. Knowing how to respond - and how not to respond - can save your account, your money, and your reputation.

First, Stop and Verify

Don’t react. Don’t panic. Don’t click any links in emails or DMs that say, "Your account was flagged for fraud." That’s how most scams start. Steam Support, Square Enix, and other major platforms have said it plainly: any claim that you were falsely reported for fraud is often the opening line of a scam. Scammers impersonate support teams, fake investigation notices, or even send fake screenshots of "trade logs" to trick you into giving up your password or resetting your 2FA.

Instead, go directly to the official support page of the game or platform. Type the URL yourself. Don’t use a search engine. Don’t follow a link. If you’re unsure, search for the game’s official website and navigate to support from there. If the accusation came through a third-party site, like Discord or Reddit, it’s almost certainly fake.

Secure Your Account Immediately

Whether the accusation is real or fake, your account might already be compromised. The first step is to lock it down.

• Change your password - right now. Use a strong, unique password you haven’t used anywhere else.
• If you use the same password on your email, bank, or other gaming accounts, change those too.
• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) if you haven’t already. Use an authenticator app like Google Authenticator or Authy, not SMS. SMS can be hijacked.
• Run a full antivirus scan on your device. Malware can steal login cookies, record keystrokes, or even hijack your trading sessions without you knowing.

These aren’t just precautions. They’re your first line of defense. Game support teams will ask you if you’ve done this. If you haven’t, they’ll assume you’re part of the problem.

Understand What Counts as Real Fraud

Not every bad trade is fraud. If someone traded you a common item for a rare one and then claimed you tricked them - that’s not fraud. That’s regret. Fraud means deception with intent to steal. Common examples:

• Trading an item, then pretending it never arrived.
• Using stolen credit cards to buy in-game currency and trading it away.
• Claiming a trade never happened after receiving items, then filing a chargeback with your bank.

Platforms like Square Enix and Steam have clear rules. If you received items and confirmed the trade in-game, you’re not guilty. But if you lied about the trade, hid items, or pressured someone into trading under false pretenses - that’s fraud.

Respond to Legitimate Accusations with Evidence

If you’re sure the accusation is real - from an official support channel - respond fast. You have a narrow window.

Square Enix, for example, only keeps trade data for one week. After that, they can’t retrieve logs. That means if you’re accused, you have seven days to respond with proof.

Gather everything:

• Screenshots of the trade window showing both sides of the exchange
• Timestamps (check your system clock and game logs)
• Emails or chat logs with the other player
• Receipts for any purchases you made (if currency was bought)
• History of your trading pattern - have you done similar trades before?

Don’t say, "I didn’t do it." Say: "Here’s what happened. Here’s the evidence. Here’s why this doesn’t match my behavior." Game masters are looking for patterns, not just denial.

Watch Out for Chargeback Fraud

A growing problem in gaming is "friendly fraud" - when someone buys something, then lies to their bank and says it was unauthorized. This is called chargeback fraud. It hurts everyone. Platforms lose money. Honest players get banned because of it.

If you’re accused of fraud because someone filed a chargeback, you need to act on two fronts:

• Contact the game’s support team with your receipt, login history, and trade logs.
• Contact your bank or credit card company. Tell them you made the purchase, you received the item, and you’re disputing the chargeback claim.

PayPro Global reports that over 30% of gaming chargebacks are false. The more proof you have, the more likely they’ll side with you.

Don’t Do These Things

Some reactions make things worse:

• Don’t delete your trade history. Even if you think it looks bad - it’s evidence. Keep it.
• Don’t transfer items to another account. That looks like you’re hiding assets.
• Don’t threaten the accuser. Even if they’re lying, public arguments give platforms reason to lock you.
• Don’t ignore it. Silence is treated as guilt.

Game platforms don’t punish people for mistakes. They punish people who cover them up.

Document Everything Going Forward

This isn’t just about this one accusation. It’s about protecting yourself next time.

Start keeping a simple log:

• Date and time of every trade
• What was traded
• Who you traded with (in-game name)
• Screenshot of the trade window
• Any messages exchanged

Store this in a private folder - not on the cloud if you’re worried about hacks. A simple text file on your computer is enough. If you’re accused again, you’ll have proof ready.

When to Contact Authorities

Most fraud accusations stay within the game. But if the game platform itself is scamming players - stealing accounts, refusing to refund legitimate purchases, or falsifying logs - you have options.

In the U.S., you can report this to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). These agencies track patterns. If dozens of players report the same platform, they’ll investigate.

But remember: if you’re accused of fraud by a legitimate platform, the CFPB won’t help you get your items back. They only step in when the company is the one breaking the rules.

Final Rule: Be Honest, Be Quick, Be Detailed

Game platforms aren’t out to get you. They lose money every time someone scams a player. Their goal is to stop fraud - not punish innocent people.

Your best move? Stay calm. Secure your account. Gather proof. Contact support directly. Answer clearly. Don’t guess. Don’t exaggerate. Just give them the facts.

And if you’ve been falsely accused? That’s not your fault. But how you respond? That’s your power.