xenocide said:
also, if you ever bought your steamid/account from another user, especially for the number of digits, it could have been stolen in the first place and should someone try to reclaim their original account, you could lose your current id. I actually had someone hack my current steamid recently – i got 2 emails, one that my password was successfully changed, another that my email was, and it took me 3 weeks of talking to steam help to get my ID back. I also have an old copy of HL:CS with the CD Key on the cover. I tried to activate that account and found that it was already in use (stolen). However, if you have an old version like that where you’re only proof is the physical CD case and key typed on it, then you have to pay $10 and go through a really annoying process to get that ID reclaimed – I’m guessing most ppl dont do it since u can prolly buy a new copy for $5-15.
If they charged you to get your steam account back you got gyped. I lost my main account, got it back for free just showing that I was the one who paid for the games on it.