How to Secure a Purchased Game Account? EB24 Gaming Account (Buying Game Accounts Scam Free)
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Secure a Purchased Game Account from a Third-Party Marketplace
People who buy game accounts are either players who want a head start in popular online games or who want access to rare in-game items. Doing so, however, comes at a potential risk. Scams and security threats are abundant. So, how to secure a purchased game account from a third-party marketplace? If you want to know what to do after buying a game account, our step-by-step guide will show you how. Ensure a safe transaction and a secure account after purchase.
Do Within 10 Minutes After Buying Game Accounts
Immediately after buying a gaming account, verification is vital. Check that the delivered account matches the listing. Then, check login details, email control, region, gaming platforms and links, rank, cosmetics, inventory, 2FA (multi-factor authentication) status, and anything else the seller promised with the account. Only after you've performed these steps, make every essential change needed to secure your gaming account.
The priority should be to change email on bought account to avoid a potential security breach. You also need to change account security settings, including the password, and enable two-factor authentication. This will protect you against unauthorized access, including an account recovery attempt by an unethical seller who isn't expecting you to apply these security measures so quickly.
10 Minute Step-by-Step Checklist
Confirm you have access to the registered email inbox
Change the email address to one you own
Change the account password
Enable two-factor authentication
Revoke active sessions and authorised devices
Review and unlink connected third-party accounts
Check recovery options: phone number, security questions, backup codes
Screenshot the completed security settings
All of these steps are essential to securely set up your gaming account. Let's cover these in
This is why it's important to revoke sessions and authorized devices from the previous owner. It'll remain until you remove it. Also, be advised that some platforms impose cooldowns after a security change. That's why it's vital to follow the step-by-step checklist in order. This includes snapping a screenshot and saving it on file in case there is a dispute. That screenshot is your evidence that the account is yours.
Why the Step-by-Step Order Matters
The last thing you want is to be flagged by games like Fortnite due to suspicious account activity. Network security means everything to them. It should mean everything to you, too.
Step 1: Take Control of the Email First After Verifying Purchase
The registered email address is the root cause of trust on every major online gaming platform. Whoever controls it controls the account. Merely changing the password of an account belonging to an email address you don't control is cosmetic. The seller can still take the account back if they have the credentials to do it.
By changing the email to your own address, you now have full control over the account. The seller at this point will be locked out. They can't provide email access at all. One of the most common reasons why purchases go wrong is because the email address linking to the account isn't changed immediately after a verified purchase.
Step 2: Changing the Password (Via Password Manager)
The password must be unique. This means it was never used before and isn't stored in a password manager. A reused password from elsewhere makes you vulnerable to a breach that may cost you the account.
Step 3: Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Use an authenticator app over SMS where the platform offers a choice. Save backup codes offline. Also, note that some platforms enforce a waiting period on high-value actions after 2FA is newly enabled by default.
Step 4: Revoke Sessions and Authorised Devices
Strong password changes are not enough. It doesn't always terminate existing sessions. Every major gaming platform has a "sign out of anywhere" or device management screen. You need to access these and make the necessary changes as your insurance policy that the seller doesn't attempt to hack or apply phishing tactics that will compromise your newly purchased account. It also protects you from other potential security threats beyond the gaming realm.
Step 5: Unlink Previous Owner's Connected Accounts
Online accounts accessing consoles, social logins, linked storefronts, and Discord act as alternative sign-in routes or a recovery vector. On some platforms, unlinking is irreversible or rate-limited. Flag these and point to the platform guides.
Step 6: Clean Up Recovery Options
Remove and replace every phone number and security question set by the previous owner. Failure to do so allows them to steal back what they sold you. Remove them all and change them all.
Step 7: Screenshot Completed Security Settings
Screenshot and save your new account information, especially the completed security settings. Doing so is your ticket to avoid fraudulent activities against you. These security practices are often overlooked by buyers who fall victim to stolen accounts they paid for from potential attackers.
Different Gaming Account Platforms Require Different Security Checks
The gaming industry expects players to follow a platform's set of rules to play online games. Different gaming account platforms rely on various security checks. They want verification of age, identity, and 2FA. These measures ensure compliance with laws and protection against fraud to create a safer gaming environment.
Battle.net
To log in to Battle.net on a new device, you must verify your identity with a code from the Blizzard Authenticator app before you can access your account. SMS Protect is an optional extra step that sends verification codes by text message, and some situations like account recovery or regional requirements may require additional identity checks.
Epic Games
Epic Games uses 2FA as an extra sign-in step, using an authenticator app (including the in-app approval prompt), SMS, or an emailed code. Console linking is restricted to prevent accidental or unauthorized account connections, and since progress and purchases are tied to your Epic account, unlinking a console does not delete anything, it only removes that console’s access; if you relink, you may need to clear the restriction first, and once you remove a link there is a 365-day cooldown before you can remove another link on the same platform again.
Riot Games
Riot uses MFA/2FA for account security, and you can complete or back it up using the Riot Mobile app, a third-party authenticator app, or a six-digit code sent to your email. Once MFA is enabled, Riot may require a code for every login session instead of only on new devices.
Steam
Steam Guard adds an extra security step by requiring a verification code when you sign in from a new device. If you make certain security changes, like updating your password or email, Steam may place a temporary trade hold (typically 5 to 15 days) to help prevent unauthorized account access.
Purchase Authentication Troubleshooting Tips for Gamers
What happens if something goes wrong? After buying an account, you try to access and play games, only to learn you can't. Why? Let's cover three likely scenarios that could be the problem:
Locked Out Mid-Process
Lockouts are usually triggered by suspicious activity, and automated locks can last for a set period depending on the platform. If you are locked out immediately after an account purchase, first review it for anything you missed, then contact the marketplace support team you bought it from before contacting the platform, since telling the platform you bought the account can lead to a ban and may not restore access.
Previous Owner Attempts Recovery
Check for signs of unexpected security emails and a sudden sign-out. Once this happens, report it. Screenshot it as visual proof something is wrong. The faster you report the problem with proof, the better.
Email Access Never Actually Provided
This is treated like a delivery failure rather than a security problem. Immediately report this to the marketplace, before the warranty window closes. With reputable platforms like EB24, basic warranty is 7 days. Extended is 14 days.
How to Secure a Purchased Game FAQ
Do I need to change the email on an account I bought?
Yes. Immediately change the email address as a top priority. Controlling the registered email address enables password reset to reclaim the account. Changing the password without controlling the inbox leaves the account vulnerable. Changing the password without controlling the inbox makes it easy for the previous owner to recover it.
What if the seller only gives me the account login, not the email?
Full ownership of an account requires access to the email address it's registered to. If email access wasn't delivered after purchase, treat it as a delivery failure. That's why it's essential to buy from reputable marketplaces. Why? So you can report the problem to its support crew immediately before the warranty window closes.
Will changing the password securely sign the previous owner out?
These days, no. Today, several platforms keep existing sessions and authorized devices active, even after a password change. This is why it's vital to revoke sessions and remove devices as a separate step.
How long do I have to report a problem after buying an account?
With EB24's open-ended warranty, basic warranty covers 7 days. Extended covers 14 days.
Can the publisher detect that an account changed hands?
Yes. Publishers see sign-in locations, devices, and behavior changes. While our guide covers the necessary steps to secure access to an account you've paid for, it doesn't cover avoiding detection. Account transfers go against a platform's terms of service.
Should I enable 2FA immediately or wait?
The faster you enable 2FA, the better, but only after the email and password are yours. 2FA closes the window for hackers to access your account. 2FA is your ticket to account recovery with its password reset.
Also Worth Knowing
EB24's warranty covers seller-side failures only. It doesn't cover whatever publishers do. While EB24 encourages applying all of the current security practices to keep your gaming account safe, it cannot control what gaming platforms like Steam and Xbox do.
You might also like
