These guidelines cover the steps specific to Fortnite and Epic Games accounts. First complete the standard steps in How do I safely use my new account?, then follow the Fortnite-specific precautions below.
Fortnite accounts require some extra care around email changes, linked platforms, Epic security checks, and anti-cheat enforcement.
📧 Change the email when available
If your account includes full email access, secure the provided email as part of the normal account handoff.
⚠️ Check the account against the listing before you touch the email. Epic locks the email for 90 days after a change. Once that lock starts the account cannot be handed back, so if it turns out not to match the listing, returning it to the seller for a refund is no longer possible.
When Epic allows you to change the account email to your own, do so. Depending on the account, an email-change cooldown may prevent you from changing it immediately.
Do not repeatedly attempt an unavailable email change. Wait until Epic shows that the change is available.
Once you have secured the account, you can also use Sign Out Everywhere under Epic's Password & Security settings to close existing sessions.
🔑 If the Epic password does not work
If full email access was included with your purchase, use Epic's normal Can't Sign In or password-reset process.
The verification code should be sent to the email attached to the Epic account. Use the provided email access to retrieve the code and set a new password.
If you cannot access the email or the recovery process does not work as expected, contact the seller through your AccountShark order before making repeated recovery attempts.
🎮 Linking PlayStation, Xbox and other platforms
Check the Apps and Accounts section of your Epic account before linking or unlinking anything.
Epic places restrictions on how external accounts can be connected, and a PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo, or other account that was previously linked elsewhere may not immediately be eligible to connect to your purchased Epic account.
If you plan to use the account on console, check the Fortnite linking instructions for your platform before removing an existing connection.
Do not unlink accounts simply because you do not recognize them. Make sure you understand what the connection is and whether it can be replaced first.
⚠️ Fortnite-specific safety guidelines
Epic actively enforces Fortnite's anti-cheat and account-security systems. To reduce unnecessary risk:
Do not use cheats, hacks, injectors, scripts, or unauthorized third-party tools.
Do not use XP, item, or other exploits.
Avoid signing into the account from numerous devices or locations immediately after receiving it.
Avoid making every possible account, email, platform, and security change at once.
Do not share the account with other people.
Do not play tournaments or competitive events unless you understand the eligibility requirements for the account.
Avoid unnecessary contact with Epic Games Support regarding account ownership or transfer history.
Be cautious about immediately making large purchases or other unusual changes to the account's normal activity.
Actions that cause an account ban or restriction through your own activity are not covered as an account reclaim under the 12-month account warranty.
💳 Remove old payment methods
Check the account for saved payment methods belonging to the previous owner and remove anything that is not yours before making purchases of your own. A leftover card can be charged accidentally, and if the cardholder later disputes that charge it becomes your problem on an account you now own.
🛡️ Keep the handoff simple
The safest approach is to make the changes necessary to secure the account, then use it normally.
You do not need to rename everything, replace every linked platform, make purchases, and change every available setting on the first day. Some changes have legitimate cooldowns or restrictions imposed by Epic.
For the steps that apply to every purchased account, see How do I safely use my new account?