Ask A SteamRep Staff Member

Ok, thank you for answering my question and the advice

I am relatively new to steam rep, and ran into an individual attempting to steam code scam me. I did not fall victim to it, but wanted to report him anyways. After submitting the report, I read the thread on cases that SteamREP doesn't investigate, and found that mine was one of those. Is there any way I can delete this report as to not inconvenience an investigator with a case that will instantly get denied? Thanks!

Hello.
I wanna know why it says a guy in my friendlist is VAC Banned on Trading, but on steam it says he is not..
If you want images/links, I can send those.
Thanks.

Okay thanks for letting me know about the 7 years.
- Michael

Good day, SteamRep.

I want to start this post by providing some context. My desire today is to bring some elements of policy into question, and ideally propose something that could be influential for long-term community members who made a single mistake in the past. I have appealed my ban in the past, and despite the reasoning behind this post being relevant to it, it is nothing to do with my appeal, so, as far as I'm aware, I do not believe I'm breaking any rules for general discussion. My biggest desire would be to secure a dialogue with admins, and discuss the potential for a rehabilitation-esque procedure in the future to provide genuine, long-standing community members with another opportunity. And allow me to clarify, before I get into it, I understand that you may gain a perception of me being biased, as it is relevant to my circumstances, but that is not why I am making this post today.

Today I discovered, that the individual who scammed my items two years ago, has traded my items on, and they're now in circulation again. Not to use my emotions as a means of changing anything, but as you can imagine, this has caused me a great deal of anguish and frustration, as there was a significant amount of sentimental value behind these items. I have a burning desire within me, more so than ever, to enforce SteamRep's community standards, and protect the community at large, as addressed, in my one year old appeal. I cannot formulate in to words, just how much I detest scammers, I'm absolutely sick to my stomach at the thought of doing that to somebody, and I still have a burning passion for this community. (I don't have a desire to influence your decision, I believe it is just in relation to how appeals are handled, and I was treated no different than every other person applying.)

I know change-of-heart appeals exist, and that they're the only available option for offenders who have committed a crime in the past. My circumstances are not unique, and since the rejection of my appeal last year, I've spent a good deal of time reading through appeals and considering both sides of the argument. I understand that SteamRep has a resolute stance when it comes to the permanency of their bans, and that in doing so, uphold a virtue and principle of fairness and equality, through equal punishment. SteamRep's inquisitorial approach to the handling of appeals, leads to both evidence and argument being scrutinised, as a means of testing how genuine the appellant is, as well as the integrity of their evidence. The reason behind me introducing these points, is because I believe that I can influence how these procedures work, and introduce alternative elements that would lead to better discourse in the handling of these appeals. I would like to discuss them in detail (If an admin would be willing to have a discussion with me in private, through communication channels such as Discord, or Steam).

I do have some questions in relation to what I've described above, they are:

• Are there currently any ongoing discussions, in regards to clemency for serious offences, committed on a long-term time scale?
• Will I be able to participate within the functions at SteamRep, or at least participate in forum discussions moving forward, with the intent of having a positive impact and being a member of the community? Regardless of my status.
• Am I entitled to have a discussion with appeal admins about the handling of procedures, as well as areas of policy that I believe to be flawed, and negative to the over all discourse of the appeal process?

Thank you ever so much for your timely response. Honestly, that response to my first question has turned what was a bad day, into something much more positive. I want to apologise for muddying that prior post, where I have referred to my case, despite not trying to influence an outcome.

As for what your response was, I have some follow-up questions:

• I'm going by the assumption that these discussions are internal, and are by extent, confidential in nature. Would you be able to disclose any information about current discussions and considerations?
• Are you looking for any outside opinions?
• If the answer is yes, to the previous question, would I be able to contribute perspective? From an honest, and unbiased point of view, if necessary. I could call upon my past experiences, but a platform to discuss this matter with you, given how relevant it is to me, would be much appreciated. My desire would be to develop a fair, and critical system that still keeps the interest of protecting the community at the forefront, but while also considering multiple aspects of what an appellant has experienced since they were tagged.
• Given that I have made an appeal review in the past, if the policy of SteamRep were to change, would I be able to open up another review, as long as the circumstances warrant it and I have a justifiable argument in respect of SR Policy?

I will gladly participate in these discussions, I feel as if there is a lot to be discussed, and despite what my reputation suggests, I have no malicious intent. I would, in fact, like to refine the procedure behind change-of-heart appeals. I will use this ask a SteamRep staff member forum as my instrument to achieve my aforementioned ambitions.

Thank you very much, You Are The One, and all other staff members you're engaging in dialogue with right now. Hope you all have a wonderful day!
God speed,
-Jacktaz.

Very well, I understand.

I have three final questions, in relation to what you've just mentioned:

• Do you have deadlines for these discussions/projects? Or a time frame in mind?
• Where would I be able to keep in the loop when further information is revealed? Is there a specific area of the SteamRep forums for Policy Changes?
• In the event where you do desire further input, would I be able to be shortlisted as a contact? (I apologise if this is asking to much, I respect that each of you have your own lives, and wish to keep contact related to SR interpersonal.)

Thank you so much, I cannot express just how much this has given me hope, moving forward. I know you all will enact what you believe is best to protect the community. The fact that you've even considered a clemency procedure for serious offences (In my case) is like the light at the end of a 9 year tunnel.

Thanks for taking the time to respond to me, You Are The One,
-Jacktaz.

Hello dear Administrators !

On November 1st I was reported by a user with the nickname Kelly, complaining that I cheated him for $ 30. In reality, I have never even corresponded or been friends with this user. I have provided all the evidence in my appeal, and I think if you look at this case for one second, you will immediately see that the correspondence, exchange history and report were falsified against me. If I noticed this complaint on time, I would have immediately provided counter-evidence and would not be banned, but it was on Sunday, late at night by my time and I wasn't checking it, nobody didn't notify me about this report.

Now my appeal thread is locked and will probably be reviewed not earlier than a year, I will not be able to trade or do anything normally during that time.

I am crushed, shocked and depressed. I got banned for scamming a person with whom I haven't ever even been friends nor traded and now I will have to wait for at least a year to be unbanned.

My only question is there any chance my appeal will be processed a bit faster, because it is a very specific case and I am ready to provide counter evidence at the time you ask me, I will be online and in touch ready to answer you every hour. It will not take more than a day to review my appeal.
Please, I beg you. This is really a gross insjustice.

Please give me a chance to provide evidence and proceed appeal faster, just one chance
Thank you so much in advance and thank you for reading and paying attention

Thank you so much for your reply, Lava !

An administrator asked to add him in steam, but now I see that he declined my friend request and I can no longer add him. What can that mean ?

I will try to calm down and do everything according to rules down, im very stressed and I can't even eat, that report was such an obvious falsification and I still was tagged. Thank you for detailed explanation of everything and cheering that my appeal won't take into that long play.

Hi I wanted to ask, if you guys are still offering to be "middleman"?

Ah okok, and how do I contact someone? Or is there someone trusted that I can speak to to ask question about a trading?