Beta Testing a Game Might Be a Scam – Here’s Why

Ever been excited about testing a new game before anyone else? You’re not alone. The gaming community loves a beta test.

Scammers know this and leverage this love of early access to gain access to Steam and Discord account details. They then use these accounts to spread malware, steal data, and access financial information.

Learn more about the beta testing scam below, including how to spot scams and protect yourself while gaming online.

How the Beta Testing Scam Works

Playtesting scams usually start with a private message on the gaming platform Steam or on Discord, inviting you to “exclusively” try out a new game. These may whip up interest with time-limited offers, exciting images, or links to incredibly real-looking sites.

But these sites and invites aren’t real. They’re designed to get you to enter your Steam or Discord credentials so that bad actors can steal your data. Once the criminal has access to your login details, they can use your friends list to spread the scam further. They may also be able to access your financial details, including any money in your Steam account and any connected cryptocurrency wallets.

Spotting a Beta Test Scam

Beta test invitations won’t come via private messages from a random user. Developers who want beta testers will usually use their social channels or website to announce the imminent launch of the game. After all, beta testing can be a way to generate interest, so they won’t want to hide the launch of their game.

If you have to request access to a game that’s not publicly available, this is also a red flag. Chemia is one notable example of this. This “pre-release game” was distributed directly through Steam’s official “Playtest” feature. However, gamers had to contact the developer directly to gain access to the game. The download of the game included three strains of malware aimed at stealing data, hacking crypto wallets, and creating a backdoor for future malware.

Protect Yourself From Playtesting Scams

Only accept playtest invitations that come via official channels, such as Steam announcements. If unsure, look up the developer’s website. Many people scammed report that, in the aftermath, it came to light that the “developers” didn’t even exist. Do an online search for the developer’s name and the game name, and contact the developer directly using the contact information on their website.

You can also speak to other people in the gaming community. Use channels like Discord and Reddit to check for anyone else who may have been involved in the beta test. They’ll be able to tell you if it was genuine or not. Lastly, never click links sent to you in a private message, even if you’ve been speaking to the user previously.

Be proactive and keep yourself up to date with the latest online scams. Sign up for Scam Detector’s Scam Alerts for regular updates straight into your inbox. The more you know, the easier it is to stay safe online and while playing games.

Verify Another website

Are you just about to make a purchase online? See if the website is legit with our validator:

vldtr^®