Buying a Steam Account

[Baldbloke]

Been looking online for a game and came across keys and steam accounts for sale.
I'm aware any steam account I purchased could be closed at any time. Given the small sums they cost I'm really not that bothered if it was shut down.

But here's my question: If I were to buy a steam account are there any risks to my own, genuine account? The account I've had for a few years and paid good money for?

 

[Baldbloke]

Chances are you buying a stolen account, so purely from an ethical standpoint I would steer well clear.

Stolen??? I wasn't aware of that. I'll steer clear. Thank you.

Edit: I did wonder how these accounts are up for sale in the first place.

 

[Baldbloke]

Rather than stolen, I'd actually guess these accounts were registered when the game was on a free giveaway - then stored to be sold later when the giveaway ends.

Sounds reasonable. There appears to be endless number of steam accounts up for sale on the Key sites and ebay. If most were in fact stolen I'd imagine steam users would be up in arms and steam would be upping thier security measures to stop hacking and theft.

Is this "account buying" akin to piracy? Even though accounts can be bought and sold on several legitemate sites? Or is it legal and just frowned on by steam because it affects their profits? Forgive my naivety but us old farts need spoon fed sometimes .