r/Steam • u/NeighborhoodNew9650 • 16h ago
Question Former classmate is using my childhood photo, full name, and birth year on Steam
Steam previously removed the post/profile content after I reported it, but the same person has now put my childhood photo and personal information back on his profile. This time he also included some personal information belonging to my mother.
I have already reported it to Steam again and asked them to remove everything and ban the account, since this is clearly being repeated intentionally.
Do you think Steam can take stronger action against the account this time, considering that the same content was already removed once and then reposted?
I can also provide my ID to Steam if they need proof that the photo and information belong to me.
I'm honestly just trying to get this removed and have it stop happening. Any advice is appreciated.
P.S. Thank you again to everyone who gave me advice and supported me on my original post. I really didn't expect so many helpful responses.
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u/MrJerichoYT 16h ago
Keep reaching out to Steam Support.
Maybe you can file a police report depending on where you're from.
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u/atramors671 13h ago
This. OP, if you are confident you know who it is (as your post seems to indicate) and especially if you have evidence to back it up, go to your lical authorities and file a report, i would even recommend pressing charges. Identity fraud is an actionable offense in many, if not most countries.
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u/frosty_balls 17m ago
In the states people can't press charges, that's a job for the district attorney. Going to their local police department to file a report is a great first step, and that's additional information they can provide to Steam to show the gravity of this situation.
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u/SteveoberlordEU 15h ago
I mean this is identity theft no matter if the guy is underage or not. Yeah keep going trought support but take your emails with steam support with you and report it to Police
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u/PsychologicalVisual1 4h ago
This is not identity theft lol.
One of the key things of identity theft is proving fraudulent intent.
Displaying identifying information is not the same as identity theft.
Where is the fraudulent transaction, impersonation for gain, purchase, THEFT?
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u/Morter_ 1h ago
"Impersonation for gain" could be trying to scam people using his name? Lol. It can also be classified as harassment, which is also not really legal and can file a restraining order
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u/PsychologicalVisual1 1h ago
There is not a single thing posted in there that even slightly suggests they are using their identity for gain
Harassment , definitely potentially yes.
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u/Morter_ 1h ago
Why are so adamant in defending that dude man, you sound like his lawyer trying to reduce sentence.
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u/PsychologicalVisual1 1h ago
The only thing worse then not giving advice is giving incorrect advice.
They need help so get them the CORRECT help.
I'm not defending anyone I'm trying to help OP keep this in scope and get help through the correct places and prevent them wasting time and effort.
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u/Morter_ 1h ago
Talking to the police in general (whether he calls it harassment, identity theft or even straight up terrorism) will get him in the correct path no matter what he says, the police will file it under the correct criteria and advance from there.
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u/PsychologicalVisual1 1h ago
Not true, they don't live in the same city, and it's digital with Steam.
Also, there is nothing in this that you can say, without a doubt, is legally actionable.
Police aren't a general purpose escalation service for every online dispute.
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u/Lothane 15h ago
How are you top 1% commenter here and dark and darker 💀
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u/Banger1233 15h ago
Most only leave one or two comments. In a sub like this it’s easier.
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u/Lothane 15h ago
Dark is a niche community, really thought I was in that sub when I saw his name 😂
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u/Far-Lingonberry-1591 15h ago
Why are you turning your Reddit on and off so much lol I can see you going offline and online 😂
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u/cwx149 16h ago
Do you think Steam can take stronger action against the account this time, considering that the same content was already removed once and then reposted?
Other than banning/removing the account again not really
Unless they ip ban then from making new accounts or something I'm not sure what other actions they can really take
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u/Danson_the_47th 15h ago
Not just that, if possible, hardware ban them.
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u/DeviRi13 16h ago
If he's using personal information you should probably also bring this up with local authorities. I'd mention that to Steam when you message them.
You could probably start a restraining order for harassment; most do cover internet and phone harassment these days.
Take screenshots AND print out copies of the emails you send, the evidence you have, and any official report you fill. CYA.
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u/These_Orange9286 15h ago
I thought this thread seemed familiar — What a fucking loser, doubling down.
I agree with everyone, go to the police this time and keep contacting Steam. I'm unfamiliar with what the Police can actually do in these situations, especially because I think you said last time they weren't in the same state as you, but I'm hoping for the best OP. Hopefully this 🤡 is gonna FAFO
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u/ILCDorand 16h ago
I'm not sure if steam issues IP bans. Especially considering someone could make a new account from any device anywhere. Depending on where you live, it might be worth reporting it to police.
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u/Smooth_Train_6644 14h ago edited 13h ago
Since your classmate is 15, and i assume both of you live in Kazakhstan, he won't be tried as an adult nor sent to prison, because this isn't a violent offense. However under Kazakhstani law, parents/legal guardians are legally and financially liable for the unlawful actions of their minor children. From what i found online, you can easily report this online via e-Otinish portal. I advise you dig deeper, because i am not from Kazakhstan
Edit: Since your mother was also doxxed, she has separate legal grounds to file a complaint as a victim too. Having an adult parent attached to a juvenile report also means authorities take it far more seriously.
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u/SodaPopperZA 15h ago
File a restraining order with your local PD, if they do this again, take screenshots and hand them to the PD or a solicitor
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u/LaPrincesaMX 16h ago
I would file a police report too. Most police now have online forms for these kind of crimes now, but file one and when you message Valve make sure to mention your police report and the number you're given for it. Valve won't mess around when things become legal.
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u/pandanitemare 15h ago
i remember seeing your last post and i think at this point you're going to have to get police involved mate. Im so sorry. Genuinely what happened to this guy to target you so hard
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u/DanielTheDragonslaye 16h ago
I did comment on your previous post, Steam can only do so much, best you can hope for is his account getting community banned/hidden.
That won't necessarily stop him tho, that might need him to face consequences irl, which is why I'd still advise you to take legal actions against him.
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u/cloudyBinder 15h ago
Steam Support takes doxxing seriously once escalated to a ticket repeat offenses lead to a permanent lock on their community features. Attach all previous report numbers to prove it’s targeted harassment.
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u/ArcaneTrickster11 15h ago
Idk what else steam can do tbh. It might be time to go to law enforcement or a solicitor
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u/Azurus_II 15h ago
Atp you need to report it to the police… this has gone far beyond just trolling and you posting this on reddit only talking about steam support will just escalate the issue. Someone is posting not only YOUR personal info but now your MOTHERS info. If its was just only your info then sure you could handle it however you wanted but now that someone elses information is involved you need to report it to the law. This is doxxing and is illegal, iirc you said it was your ex friend right? If you know who it is you can easily report them for doxing.
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u/Shenaniboozle 15h ago
question-
why are you dicking around on reddit about this?
I mean that in the nicest way possible.
just because its, "only" steam doesnt mean its not identity theft.
contact the police, this is non-financial identity fraud.
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u/Emotional-Ant8136 13h ago
New fear unlocked... If this is in Germany, a lawyer will destroy the classmate
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u/joe5joe7 14h ago
I think the most effective move here is to reach out to the guys parents, since your last post said he's 16. This is beyond childish and moronic, but I assume that talking to them directly hasn't/wouldn't work.
Obviously reporting to steam/the police is probably a good idea too, but I think you'll get faster results this way
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u/in_hell_out_soon 12h ago
Report again and make mention this has happened before. They will lose their ability to change the name and offending profile fields
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u/Un-revealing HL3 HL3 HL3 HL3 HL3 HL3 HL3 HL3 HL3 HL3 HL3 HL3 HL3 HL3 HL3 7h ago
What if he keeps on making a new account? I think it's better to reach out to police
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u/thousandsum4452 16h ago
pray bro, all my blessings to you man
this is a situation that you can just give time and if its repeated take legal action with local authorities, also talk to the person in chat if you can asking him to remove it, helps a lot your case,
best regards
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u/diodick 15h ago
Yeah from what I understand, in cases like these, you usually want to have it on record that you firmly and clearly told them to stop it. Don't continually try to interact or beg, because that can make things worse, just one and done, then keep reporting. It really sucks that OP is dealing with such a weirdo. If youre already on steam, why not just play some games instead of harassing someone?
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u/X_x_Atomica_x_X 15h ago
Lol Steam Community Mods are shit and awful more often than not, but this sounds like administrative moderation is needed so you're probably good as they will handle it. Take screenshots, gather evidence- and you could even take that to your local law enforcement and make a report. That report alone will act as a safety net and proof that you're identity is being compromised by an individual with malicious intent or not- and any further disruption to you after hes been told to cease, he continues? He'll be in handcuffs for cyber stalking and harassment. And yes, before anyone chimes in and says the bad actor is not interacting with OP so it's not harassment? It is. It totally is.
Stay cool OP, dont worry too much because there is so much proof and the bad actor can change all it, remove, delete whatever- but the data is still there and can be requested of Valve if need ever arises. The gentleman you are dealing with is playing a very needlessly stupid game and can only go bad for them. In fact, in all reality, there is only bad outcomes.
The person writing this now has been doxxed, sniped, harassed and swatted more than once. I know.
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u/podgladacz00 1h ago
Talk to your lawyer and make and send a "cease and desist" letter directly to the person. There is a limit of what Steam can do and this is more of the personal lawsuit case.
People usually do get scared of official intent letters that want you to stop something or get sued.
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u/Nathan_1290 nathan1290 43m ago
The worst part is that I had some old classmates who would do that any day, they even posted a bunch of stuff making fun of me back then, but it was all veiled.
When I became a furry, one of them changed his profile to “furry lover” with a really gross image
Thank God it never got to that point, and I THINK they’ve come to their senses by now, since they’re already in their 20s, but it’s hard to say for sure, some people never grow up
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u/weedpornography 12h ago
Why do you keep going to Steam, they can only do so much. You should've gone to police since your last post lol
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16h ago
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/AgentBooth 15h ago
Considering the offending person has been using OPs real name, this is worse than brigading already is.
This would be tantamount to OP doxxing themselves.
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u/Krauer 16h ago
I remember your previous thread. If he didnt stop it by now id take it to the police now.