European customers who recently bought Steam Machine or Steam Controller hardware should be alert for convincing scam messages after a cyberattack affected CEVA Logistics, the shipping partner responsible for Valve hardware deliveries in Europe.
CEVA Logistics told Valve on 7 August that it had suffered an attack. Valve subsequently issued a warning about the information that may have been taken.
What information may have been exposed?
The stolen information appears to include customer names, delivery addresses, countries, phone numbers, Steam email addresses and details about Steam hardware purchases.
There is no indication in the warning that payment information or account passwords were included in the breach. That distinction is important, but the exposed order and contact information could still help scammers create believable delivery messages.
How the Steam hardware scams may work
Valve says affected customers may receive fake emails, text messages or phone calls that refer to a recent hardware order. The sender might pretend to be Steam, Valve or a delivery company, and could repeat the recipient’s address to make the contact seem authentic.
Potential requests may include confirming a delivery, paying a small customs or redelivery charge, or signing in through a link to “verify” an order. Valve’s advice is straightforward: treat these messages as fraudulent.
Do not click unexpected login links or provide passwords, Steam Guard codes or payment details in response to an order message.
Use official Steam support channels
Valve says Steam Support does not contact users through email, Steam Chat or Discord. Account issues should be handled through the official Steam help page.
Steam Support and delivery companies will not ask customers for their passwords or Steam Guard codes. If a message creates urgency, requests a fee or directs you to a sign-in page, close it and navigate to the official service yourself rather than following its link.
A wider pattern of gaming-related scams
Data leaks and phishing campaigns are increasingly common across the games industry. Research from NordVPN’s Threat Intelligence unit has identified scams connected with Grand Theft Auto 6, including websites offering fake beta keys for PC and Android and phishing attempts aimed at Rockstar Social Club accounts.
Rockstar Games was breached earlier in 2026, with internal company data reportedly stolen rather than user account information. The company also suffered a more serious 2023 breach that exposed early GTA 6 footage and assets. Other recent incidents include a Game Freak data leak in 2024 and a major Insomniac ransomware attack in 2023. NordVPN’s Threat Intelligence research provides further context on the current scam landscape.
Not every large Steam data report means accounts were hacked
A separate report last year claimed that information belonging to 89 million Steam users had been exposed. Valve said that incident involved older, encrypted SMS authentication messages and that the material did not contain sensitive account details.
That earlier clarification is different from the current CEVA Logistics incident. In this case, the warning concerns customer and order information held by a shipping partner, making delivery-themed impersonation the main risk for affected European hardware buyers.
For Australian arcade fans who use online platforms alongside a home cabinet, the same basic precautions apply: use unique passwords, keep account security features enabled and check messages through the service’s official website. RETROCADE’s arcade news and gaming coverage follows developments affecting the wider industry.
Key takeaways for affected customers
- Expect targeted impersonation: scammers may know your name, address, phone number or hardware order details.
- Ignore unexpected fees and verification requests: customs, redelivery and login demands can be used to steal credentials or money.
- Protect your account: never disclose a password or Steam Guard code.
- Use the official support route: access Steam Support directly instead of clicking a message link.
Anyone shopping for an arcade setup can also compare equipment carefully with RETROCADE’s arcade machine buying guide, browse arcade machines or explore arcade parts through the store’s direct website.
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