I still flinch when I hear the distant crack of a suppressed M24 in Erangel. A few years ago, I lost a hard-fought top-ten match to a player who seemed to know exactly where everyone hid. That frustration led me to start following the official anti-cheat announcements every week. Now, in 2026, checking the banned players list has become as much a part of my routine as dropping into my first match of the evening.

This week was no different. I opened the latest bulletin and saw the familiar headline about permanently banned accounts. The notice listed players who had been removed for violating the rules of conduct during a recent investigation period. Even after all this time, seeing that long table of erased identities still gives me a strange sense of relief. Behind those asterisks are the cheaters who ruined matches for honest players like me.

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The first thing I always notice is how the list protects privacy while still showing consequences. Each in-game nickname has the first three letters replaced with *. At first I thought that was odd, but then I understood: it prevents public shaming while still warning the community that illegal software has real costs. When I read those names, I can almost picture the matches they destroyed — the impossible spray control, the pre-fire around corners, the instant headshots through smoke.

Over the years, I have learned that reporting is not just a button I press after a suspicious death. The process works best when I use the in-game report tool first. Every time I see something unnatural, I make a short mental note of the player's behavior, then send the report before leaving the match. If the situation is more complex or I need extra help with my account, I contact PUBG Support through the official support channel. It is not about revenge; it is about protecting the game I love.

What worries me most, though, is account security. I used to think cheating bans only happened to people who deliberately installed cheats. Then a close friend lost his account because someone else accessed it and used illegal programs. That was a painful lesson. The anti-cheat team repeats the same advice in every announcement: make sure you sign up for Steam Guard Mobile Authenticator. I finally did it after my friend's incident, and I wish I had done it sooner. A stolen or abused account can end up on the permanent ban list, and no amount of tickets will bring back years of skins and stats.

Here is the simple routine I now follow to keep my account safe:

  • 🔐 I keep Steam Guard Mobile Authenticator active on my phone.

  • 🚫 I never share my login details, even with close friends.

  • 🧐 I review recent login activity whenever I receive an unusual notification.

  • 🛡️ I report cheaters through the in-game tool before considering any other step.

The weekly banned accounts list is more than just names. It is proof that the anti-cheat team is listening. I still remember the investigation period from a September 2024 bulletin that covered 2024/09/09 to 2024/09/15. That post showed me just how many accounts can be permanently removed in a single week. The scale was shocking, but it also meant the system was working. Even now, in 2026, the same rhythm continues: gather reports, investigate, ban, and publish the results. Each new list reminds me that fair play is not a forgotten promise.

Of course, the fight is never truly over. New cheat programs appear, and new players fall for the illusion that they can bend the rules without consequences. I occasionally still meet someone whose movement feels too perfect or whose aim snaps like a machine. My heart sinks for a moment, but then I remember the list. I remember that many of those accounts will end up behind asterisks, permanently removed from Battlegrounds.

I also appreciate that the anti-cheat team asks for our opinions and reports. They do not treat players as passive observers. We are part of the same ecosystem. Every report I send is a small contribution to a fairer game. Every time I protect my account, I make sure I will not accidentally become part of the problem. The announcements always end with a thank you, but honestly, the thanks goes both ways.

At the end of my weekly ritual, I close the bulletin and queue for another match. The ban list is a reminder that PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS is still worth fighting for. Cheaters may try to tear the game down, but the community, the support team, and the anti-cheat unit are pushing back. I may only be an ordinary player, but I know my reports matter. And when I land in Pochinki with nothing but a pistol and a bad plan, I do so hoping the next lobby is a little cleaner because of what we all did together.