The steps to check, secure, and safely start using an account purchased on AccountShark.
These guidelines apply to every account purchased on AccountShark. Some games have additional requirements or precautions, so complete the general steps below first, then read the guide for your specific game.
🔍 Check the account first
Before changing anything, log in and make sure you received what you purchased.
Check that:
The login credentials work.
The account matches the listing.
The advertised rank, progress, cosmetics, items, or other important features are present.
You received the access promised in the listing, including email access where applicable.
Do not start changing account information until you have checked what you received.
The email is the one to leave until last. On some games a change starts a lock period, and once it has begun the account cannot be handed back to the seller.
If something is missing or significantly different from the listing, report it through your AccountShark order before making changes.
🔒 Secure the account
Once you have confirmed everything is correct:
1. Secure the email. If email access was included, change its password first and enable 2FA where available. 2. Change the game account password. Use a strong, unique password that you do not use anywhere else. 3. Change the account email to your own when the game allows it. Some publishers have waiting periods before this can be done. 4. Enable two-factor authentication on the game account where available and store your recovery codes somewhere safe. 5. Review linked accounts and devices. Remove old connections or sessions when appropriate and replace recovery information with your own where possible.
Securing the email first is important because whoever controls it can often reset the game account.
🎮 Start using the account carefully
A newly transferred account may suddenly have a new device, location, password, email, and other security information. Making too many changes at once can trigger automated security systems.
Give the account time to settle and avoid unnecessary changes beyond what you need to secure it.
Never:
Share the account credentials with other people.
Use cheats, hacks, bots, scripts, or unauthorized third-party software.
Exploit bugs or glitches.
Take actions that knowingly put the account at risk of a ban, suspension, or restriction.
🔗 Be careful with linked platforms
Accounts may be connected to services such as PlayStation, Xbox, Steam, Epic Games, Riot, or other platforms.
Do not start unlinking and relinking services without checking the requirements for that particular game. Some publishers limit how often accounts can be linked, impose cooldowns, or handle ownership changes differently.
🛡️ Keep your warranty valid
You are responsible for taking reasonable steps to secure the account after receiving it.
Problems caused by your own actions, such as sharing credentials, using prohibited software, or failing to secure access provided to you, may not be covered by the 12-month account warranty.
See How does the account warranty work? for the full coverage rules.
🧭 Check the guide for your game
These are the general rules. Individual games may have additional guidance covering things such as:
Email changes and cooldowns.
Console or platform linking.
In-game purchases.
Publisher support.
Competitive or ranked play.
Game-specific security precautions.
Before making those changes, read the AccountShark safe usage guide for your specific game.