Scootaloo

Must be 16 years or older to apply. Sorry bud. =(

Well, allow me to provide my experience thus far with the Mobile Authenticator, as well as answer any questions I can from what I've seen.

1. I do not have a Smartphone, but I do have an Android Tablet. This initially presented an issue, because lots of people were under the assumption that you NEEDED a Smartphone with a working number to sync the Mobile Authenticator. What I found was actually different. You do still need a number where you can receive an SMS message, so I just used my regular dumb-phone number, Valve sent the text, I inputted the code into the Mobile app on my tablet, and everything synced up. So it seems you only need to receive the SMS message ONCE, and then you never need the number again. So that basically clarifies that you don't need an active phone but once to get it working.

2. After activating my Mobile Authenticator, I logged out of Steam and logged back in, and was prompted for the code upon logging in. I found the code I inputted from the Mobile Authenticator worked and allowed me access, which verified that this can be done on any non-contracted tablet or smart device.

3. After I got in, I decided to try accessing third party sites using Steam. So, I went to backpack.tf, logged out, and logged back in. Once again, upon logging in, it requested the code. Extra security for accessing third party sites verified.

4. Once I verified I was protected on those fronts, I then decided to to a test trade. Found someone to buy one of my random items, and when the trade was initiated, it asked me to input my Authenticator code before it would accept the trade, and more importantly, DID NOT REQUIRE ME TO VERIFY IT THROUGH EMAIL. This was SOOOOO much more convenient to me, as email verification could sometimes take FOREVER to send the email. This popped up instantly on my tablet and notified me. This is a HUGE plus.

I think this is livable and a better solution, convenience-wise, than having to do it through the email. It's faster and pops up instantly when needed. Sure, that means I have to have my tablet, but I've been wanting a feature like this from Steam for ages now. I just was unhappy that they implemented it the way they did.

To answer a few questions:

Yes, betting sites will be going the way of the dinosaur. No way to regulate all this and the trading period will kill most of this off. I expect a lot of bot sites to be the same, but scrap.tf has already found a workaround involving android emulators that should prove to be useful.

No, this won't kill off low-end trading. I read somewhere that Valve plans on notifying traders in the trade window if a player does not have the Mobile Authenticator enabled as to prevent them from running into unwanted escrows. So it will slow trading down, but all the serious traders will enable the Mobile Authenticator and keep doing their thing. They'll just refuse to deal with players that don't have the authenticator. Same with middlemen. They aren't going anywhere. High profile trading servers will simply require you to have the Mobile Authenticator enabled or they will not middleman for you.

As for the trolls who cancel their deal on the final day, I ALSO read somewhere that Valve will be putting a trade hold on any accounts that cancel their deals while they have items in escrow for a full week. No troll is gonna want to have a trade hold placed on their account and leave them unable to trade for seven days. Good solution to that potential problem.

I'm still sour in the mouth about HOW this was implemented, but the app is solid, it works, it's seamless, and it will solve the scamming issue. Sure, it presents a hurdle for people without a smart device, but there are android emulators that you can get for free to alleviate this issue. It's a sudden and major change, but it could have been done worse.

I personally ALWAYS give people on my Friends list a nickname if I plan on having them in my list for a while. Every time a random trader adds me, I don't give them a nickname, so if they try and pull this crap, I'll immediately know.

Please don't post pron on the forums. You don't realize how easily you can lose us ad revenue. No clue why you thought posting the spray was a good idea. You should've just pm'd it to a DL or something.

The images have been deleted. Not a big deal. He was just trying to help.

After the sprays were done in server, he used calladmin to get someone on. I responded and the users were kicked, as per the warn>kick>ban process. AFAIK they didn't come back.

@TheSupremePatriot , next time don't post a screen of the spray in the ban section, yeah? Just let us know directly and we will take care of it.

Thread closed.

Did he end up coming back after being kicked?

It's true. If you never technically left, you don't have to reapply.

Eww, he's back.

+1

Well, it seems to me that the current owner of the hat has finally blocked me on Outpost. I have no way to alert his potential buyers that the hat he is trying to sell is a scammed hat.

I spoke with polar, an administration on backpack.tf, and he advised that we should pursue a ban against the user who scammed Armin out of the hat. Armin, do you have any sort of evidence against the person who scammed you that we can use in a SteamRep report?

The current owner is not at fault in any way. He is breaking no rules. Sure, it's a super shitty thing to do, selling a scammed hat, but it isn't a bannable offense, so there is nothing we can do in that aspect.

It seems to me this entire ordeal is over. Last thing that can be done is the SteamRep report about the scammer.

We tried Armin. They weren't willing to return the hat. Sorry. T.T

As far as what's fair to both users (armin and the user who bought the scammed item in question), the only outcome would be trading something of equal value [to the user's item (the Rocket Launcher)] for the scammed item. Don't expect to just get the scammed item back free of charge, especially when the whole ordeal could have been avoided. That being said, I'm not trying to be a bad guy about all this so much as I am just trying to look at it rationally, so I apologize in advance if I come off as that kind of guy.

Well, funny you mention that, because here is what we did...

ChickenPanda and myself got into contact with the current owner of the hat. We gathered a bunch of our own items which valued ~60 keys, and offered these items to the owner in good faith so the hat may be returned to us. Seems like a very civil solution, right? Well, apparently civil solutions aren't enough.

They declined our offer and even went so far as to threaten our clan. We were told that if any reports come of this, that "war" would be waged against our clan. I'm not fucking joking. Chickenpanda has the screenshots of the entire conversation.

UPDATE:

After speaking with the current owner of the hat, I found out he purchased it from a friend of his, who was probably the guy who scammed the hat in the first place.

TF2 Outpost / Trade

If you check the comments, he explains everything. Still REALLY shitty that he's trying to sell it off. He hasn't responded to it being scammed, but I have warned him that if he doesn't that the steps necessary to get Armin his hat back, his account will be reported to SteamRep.

Here's to hoping this dude's a cool guy and tries to work it out with the other dude.

Also, here's the SteamRep page of the guy who ACTUALLY scammed Armin:

SteamRep » domccas [Caution] | 76561198083570878 | STEAM_0:0:61652575

Shitty events, man. Hate to see this happen to someone who definitely doesn't deserve it.

Take it as a learning experience. Yes, what happened sucks. But now, guaranteed, it'll never happen again now that you have experienced it.

Take some time off. Enjoy other titles. When you're ready, you can rebuild and start anew. There's much worse things in life than losing a digital item. =)

Must make sure to provide some sort of evidence to the offenses. I just checked the chat logs for any history coming from a "Fangonic", but found nothing. Steam IDs help too. T.T

Edited. Currently working with the current owner to get the hat back. Do NOT downvote him.

I'm just hoping that if you can opt out steam guard can get your items back if they get stolen.

Well, Valve has already announced that they are no longer returning looted items. So I seriously doubt it. T.T

Just wanted to give a quick heads up that over the next few weeks, I may not be as active as I typically am. Reason being is because we are working on moving into a new house, but it requires a lot of upkeep before we can actually move in. Painting the entire house and replacing the carpets to name a few of the large jobs ahead. Then, there's the tedious process of packing and actually moving.

So, I'll still be around on forums, but my game time and Teamspeak activity may take a bit of a hit. Just wanted to give you guys a bit of a heads up! ^-^

Here's to hoping. =/

I mean, it's a nice service to have, but only if it's opt-in and DOESN'T affect other players if you don't have it.

Even so....

It's bullshit that it's being enforced in the first place, simply because people are incompetent and can't figure out how to use the trading confirmation. So all of us have to suffer because a select few got scammed?

This is a very real update and it will have very real negative impacts on trading as a whole. Not just in TF2, but in every Valve game that utilizes any sort of trading and market use.

The premise is that henceforth, users will be expected to utilize the Steam Mobile App as a mobile authenticator for their Steam account. Whenever a trade is initiated, it will require the mobile authenticator be active on BOTH traders' accounts, or the items being traded will be placed into escrow for an undisclosed amount of time, unavailable to both players until the alloted time period has passed. THEN, if neither player has cancelled the deal, and only then, will the items be traded.

Valve's reasoning for implementing this erroneous update is to reduce the amount of hijacking measures that would result in people losing their items. Not much information has been divulged on this yet, but at the very least, we are HOPING that this is an opt-in measure and not something to be completely enforced to all accounts.

Obviously, everyone who uses Steam doesn't have a phone, and some of those phone users may not even have a phone compatible with the Steam Mobile Client (Cough cough, Windows Mobile). Hopefully, Valve realizes what a mistake this is, or at least takes the community backlash into consideration.

This measure would effectively make trading a very difficult and time-consuming process, not to mention it would kill off any and all bot-based trading services like scrap.tf.

If you would like to speak your mind against this measure, a petition has been created for this update. You can sign it here:

Steam Escrow Petition

Reddit Thread: [x-post /r/tf2trade] Valve to add "escrow" to trading, which holds items in every trade for a period of time likely up to several days, unless both parties have mobile app Steam Guard enabled • /r/tf2

Backpack.tf Thread: Steam Escrow Discussion and Speculation - Team Fortress 2 Discussions

I know for one fact NO ONE in this thread will be even SLIGHTLY affected.

The reason being the fact that this is the internet

If problems continue to persist with our staff after this thread, those individuals will find they won't remain staff for very long. EVERYONE is affected by this, because I'm going to begin rigorously enforcing a zero-tolerance rule about this very subject within my staff. People would be wise to take this thread seriously.

By the way, the majority of the tf2 staff might wanna go work out their issue with @Vector.

Heh, can't reiterate this one enough.

Can i even +1 saw em on csgo jb and seemed chill. was only on cause the VSH?? server was down or broken idk i just remember em cause i seen ur member app so lemme know @metalslug53 if a +1 from me counts or if im have to fight you in MTG

Shit, only if you play EDH. Singleton format is where it's at. Feldon is my bae.

Also, I'll give my +1 for this too. See this individual CONSTANTLY trying to get in. Let's give em a chance, yeah? :D

Close enough to 24 hours. Here you are, sir! Welcome to the family. <3

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I've been wishing that people would just talk their crap out since I got DM of CSS. Unfortunately, as forest said, people just dont grasp it. By all means be harsh on them, it may be the only way to stop fudgestorms from cropping up. Also, as far as promo demos are concerned, they are going back to the way they used to be: only seen by DM+ and if people start asking if they are getting promo'd feel free to take them right off the list.

Eeyeppers.

Aaaaand there it is! That's 10 vouches.

We have a 24 hour waiting period, so tomorrow evening I will close this thread and give you the acceptance message, assuming nobody wants to -1 you or recant their vote.

See you tomorrow! :D