Right, but as long as you have your master key and the email you signed up with, Steemit team can help recover your account, so they shouldn't get too much, or nothing if they can do it in less than 7 days. @samstonehill lost the email that he signed up with, which is why he will lose everything.

Of course, best thing is to never lose your account.. :) thanks for the info, hadn't seen this scam.