How To Secure An Instagram Account While Buying It

Introduction: How to Secure An Instagram Account

Buying an Instagram account might sound like a shortcut to instant influence — and in some cases, it is. But what most buyers don’t realize is that taking over an existing account comes with serious security risks. If you’re not careful, the account you just paid for could be stolen back, banned, or even hacked within days.

So let’s cut to the chase:
If you’re asking, “How do I secure an Instagram account after buying it?” — the answer starts the moment the transaction is made. You need to take immediate and strategic steps to lock down the account from every angle: login credentials, recovery options, third-party access, and more.

In this guide, we’ll walk through exactly how to secure an Instagram account after purchase — without the tech jargon, and with real, actionable steps. Whether you bought the account to boost a brand, grow a business, or start fresh with a head start, you need to protect that investment from the ground up.

10 Essential Steps to Secure an Instagram Account You Just Bought

So, you’ve bought an Instagram account, but before you post your first reel or change the bio, you need to lock it down.

Here’s exactly what to do the moment ownership changes hands:

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1. Change the Password — Twice

Change it once immediately, then again from a second device. This ensures no saved login sessions or cookies give the seller lingering access.

✅ Use a strong, unique password:

• 12+ characters

• Mix of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, symbols

• Never reused elsewhere

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2. Verify the Original Email (OGE)

Request a data archive from Instagram to confirm the provided email is the original:

• Go to Settings > Your Activity > Download Your Information

• Request the data archive

• Check email history for the original sign-up email

If the current email isn’t the original, ask the seller for it — or walk away.

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3. Secure the OGE (Original Email Account)

Log into the email account (Gmail, Yahoo, ProtonMail, etc.) and lock it down:

• Change its password

• Enable 2FA

• Update recovery email & phone

• Remove third-party access

• Check for unfamiliar logins

If someone controls the OGE, they can regain access to your Instagram account — no matter how strong your IG password is.

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4. Update the Email in Instagram Settings

Once you’ve secured the OGE (or decided to use your own), update the email in:

• Settings > Account Center > Personal details

• Change both email and backup email

• Verify via confirmation link

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5. Replace the Linked Phone Number

Head to Settings > Personal Information and:

• Remove the previous phone number

• Add your own

• Complete SMS verification

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6. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

• Go to Settings > Security > Two-Factor Authentication

• Choose an authenticator app, not SMS

• Save your backup codes securely

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7. Revoke Third-Party App Access

• Navigate to Settings > Security > Apps and Websites

• Remove tools, bots, or platforms you don’t recognize

• Reconnect only the tools you plan to use

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8. Log Out of All Devices

• Go to Settings > Login Activity

• Log out of all devices

• Then change your password again to invalidate all sessions

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9. Audit Linked Accounts & Recovery Options

• Check if it’s connected to a Facebook/Meta Business account

• Unlink any previous Facebook or Business Manager profiles

• Link your own for easier account recovery in the future

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10. Test Instagram’s Recovery Options

Here’s a smart move that most buyers miss:
Go to the Instagram login page and click:

• “Forgot password?”

• Then tap “Can’t reset your password?”

Instagram will show you what recovery options are currently active — such as:

• Backup email

• Phone number

• WhatsApp code

➡️ Make sure at least one of these matches the recovery method the seller gave you. If not, you may not be able to regain access if you’re ever locked out.

🛡️ Pro Tip: Screenshot this screen and save it, so you know what your recovery path looks like in case anything goes wrong.

For a deeper breakdown of what to do immediately after taking ownership, InstaDeal’s guide to safely purchasing Instagram accounts offers a valuable step-by-step checklist you can follow.

Common Scams While Purchasing an Instagram Account

Buying an Instagram account can give you a serious head start — but it can also become a fast-track to getting scammed if you don’t know what to watch for. Let’s break down the most common scams and how to avoid them:

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1. The “Pullback” Scam

This is one of the most common — and dangerous — scams in the Instagram marketplace.

How it works:
The seller gives you access to the account. Everything looks good. A few days later, they recover it using the original email (OGE) or linked Facebook account. You’re locked out, and your money is gone.

How to avoid it:

• Always request the original email and secure it (as discussed earlier)

• Check recovery options before finalizing the deal

• Change credentials immediately and thoroughly

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2. Fake Followers & Engagement

It looks like a great deal — 100k followers, solid likes, decent comments. But once you post, engagement flatlines. Why? The audience isn’t real.

How to spot it:

• Check the account’s follower-to-engagement ratio

• Scan followers — do they look like real people? Do they post?

• Use tools like HypeAuditor or IG Audit for deeper analysis

⚠️ Pro Tip: Ask for story view stats — they’re harder to fake than likes or comments.

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3. Phantom Accounts

These are Instagram handles that are listed for sale but don’t actually exist or are under someone else’s control.

Red flags include:

• Seller refuses to verify ownership (e.g. posting a specific story or changing bio temporarily)

• Price seems too good to be true

• No middleman or platform is used

Always insist on live proof before sending payment — or better yet, use an escrow service.

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4. Compromised Accounts Being Resold

Some sellers trade hacked or previously compromised accounts. These accounts may look fine on the surface but are at risk of being reported, flagged, or banned — especially if the previous owner tries to recover them.

What to do:

• Avoid accounts with sudden content shifts or major gaps in posting

• Ask about the account’s history — who owned it, what niche it was in

• If it was recently hacked or reclaimed, walk away

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5. Bait-and-Switch Accounts

You agree to buy one account, but just before the deal is finalized, the seller says it was “just sold” — and offers a “similar” one.

This is often a sign of either:

• A much lower quality account

• A scammer testing if you’ll still pay without verifying

Solution: Stick to your original target. Don’t fall for urgency tricks.

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6. No Access to Email or Recovery Methods

If the seller claims they “can’t give you the original email,” it’s a massive red flag.

Without email control, you don’t own the account. Period.

Never proceed unless:

• You receive the OGE (original email)

• You verify full access and change recovery methods

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7. Escrow Scams

Even escrow services can be faked — scammers set up fake websites that look like real escrow platforms.

Avoid this by:

• Using well-known platforms only

• Verifying links and reviews — don’t trust screenshots alone

• Asking in public communities (like Reddit or Telegram forums) if a service is legit

Why Using Escrow Services To Purchase Instagram Accounts Is Non-Negotiable

If you’re buying an Instagram account without an escrow service, you’re basically wiring money to a stranger and hoping for the best. Sounds risky, right? That’s because it is. In a space filled with scams, account theft, and zero buyer protection, using a proper escrow service is the smartest move you can make.

If you’re new to escrow services or want to understand how digital asset protection works, Trustap offers a clear overview of how their escrow system ensures safe Instagram account transfers.

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What Is an Escrow Service?

In simple terms, an escrow service acts as a trusted middleman:

• The buyer sends payment to the escrow platform

• The seller delivers the Instagram account credentials

• The buyer confirms everything works and is secure

• The escrow service releases funds to the seller

It’s a layer of protection — so you don’t lose your money or your new account.

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Why Escrow Is a Must for Instagram Purchases

1. Protection Against Pullback Scams

Escrow gives you a secure window to:

• Change passwords and recovery details

• Verify access to the original email (OGE)

• Set up 2FA

• Confirm ownership across devices

If something goes wrong, the funds don’t get released.

2. Clear, Logged Transactions

Every step — from payment to account handoff — is tracked and time-stamped. That means if a dispute arises, there’s an audit trail.

3. You Get Time to Inspect

Escrow services usually offer a 24–72 hour window to:

• Check recovery methods

• Log in safely

• Ensure there’s no account restriction, shadowban, or fake followers

That buffer can be the difference between a good buy — and a costly regret.

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Trusted Escrow Platforms for Instagram Deals

Here are some trusted names in the space:

• InstaDeal – Built specifically for Instagram account transfers, with a streamlined escrow process and a strong reputation in private communities. Credit card payment options is available for 100% buyer’s protection.

• Trustap – A flexible escrow platform trusted for digital asset transactions, offering transparency and buyer protection at a global scale.

• FameSwap (with middleman option) – Useful for basic deals, though it’s less tailored for serious buyers.

• AccsMarket (escrow optional) – Use only with trusted intermediaries or via third-party verified services.

⚠️ Avoid using unknown “escrow” links shared by sellers directly. Always verify legitimacy through community reviews or public forums.

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What If You Skip Escrow?

Here’s what often happens:

• You never receive the account

• You’re locked out within hours

• You lose all leverage to recover your funds

• You can’t open a dispute or prove anything

💸 No receipt, no recovery. Without escrow, there’s no plan B.

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What Does Escrow Cost?

Fees typically range from 3% to 10% of the deal value. Some platforms let buyers and sellers split the fee — others let one party handle it.

It’s a small investment for a safe transaction. Considering what’s at stake, escrow is always the better deal.

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Final Word

You wouldn’t buy a car without paperwork — so don’t buy a digital asset without protection. A reliable escrow service turns what could be a risky DM deal into a secure, trackable transaction.

✅ Bottom line: If you’re buying an Instagram account, always use escrow — and platforms like InstaDeal and Trustap make it easier than ever to do it safely.

Red Flags to Watch Before Buying an Instagram Account

Buying an Instagram account can be a smart shortcut — but it can also be a trap if you don’t know what to look for. Scammers are getting more sophisticated, and even “legit-looking” accounts can come with baggage you don’t want.

Before you hand over your money (or even start negotiating), here are the biggest red flags that should stop you in your tracks.

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1. No Original Email (OGE) Included

If the seller refuses to provide the original email used to create the account, that’s your first and biggest red flag.

• Without the OGE, the seller can always recover the account later

• “I lost it” or “It’s private” are common excuses

• No OGE = You don’t truly own the account

✅ Always demand the OGE and verify access before completing any deal.

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2. Seller Avoids Video or Story Verification

Can’t get the seller to post a temporary story, change the bio, or show you the account live on screen?

• That’s often a sign the person isn’t the real owner

• Or worse — the account doesn’t actually exist

🎯 A legit seller will never hesitate to verify ownership.

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3. Too Good to Be True Pricing

If an account with 100K followers, clean engagement, and a great niche is listed for $100… something’s off.

• The account might be fake, compromised, or botted

• Or the seller’s hoping for a quick scam without questions

💡 Rule of thumb: If it looks like a steal, you’re the one getting robbed.

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4. Account Niche Mismatch or Sudden History Gaps

Accounts with sudden drops in content, drastic niche switches, or complete rebrands are worth questioning.

• Was it recently hacked?

• Is it flagged or shadowbanned?

• Why was it inactive for 6+ months?

Use Instagram’s archive feature (if available) or ask for past analytics.

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5. Follower Quality Looks Off

It’s not about how many followers — it’s who they are.

Watch out for:

• Large % of usernames with numbers or no profile pics

• All followers from one foreign country with no logical reason

• High follower count but poor engagement (especially on recent posts or stories)

📉 Fake or botted audiences won’t help you — and could get your account flagged or penalized.

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6. Seller Pushes for Payment Outside Escrow

This is an instant deal-breaker.

• If they want PayPal Friends & Family, crypto with no receipt, or sketchy payment links — it’s a scam waiting to happen

• Some may say “escrow takes too long” — translation: they don’t want to be held accountable

✅ Always use a verified escrow service like InstaDeal or Trustap to stay protected.

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7. Inconsistent or Stock Screenshots

If the seller’s sending you the same stats screenshots they used in a Telegram group post last week — 🚩

• Ask for updated, real-time screenshots

• Better yet: get a screen share or video walk-through

• Bonus tip: ask for them to refresh the page to prove it’s not edited

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8. No Organic Reach

Accounts that relied too heavily on paid shoutouts or bots often have zero reach left.

Ask the seller:

• What’s the average story view count?

• Do posts still show up in Explore or hashtag feeds?

• Can they show you recent DM or engagement trends?

If they can’t prove organic growth, the value drops fast.

FAQs:

These are the most common questions buyers ask when buying an Instagram account and secure them — answered clearly and honestly.

Can you legally buy and sell Instagram accounts?

Instagram’s Terms of Service technically prohibit the sale of accounts. That said, account sales happen daily across platforms. As long as the transaction is secure and the buyer understands the risks, it’s widely accepted in practice — though not officially endorsed by Meta.

What’s the safest way to buy an Instagram account?

The safest way is through:

• A verified escrow service (like InstaDeal or Trustap)
• A seller who provides the original email (OGE)
• A full post-sale security process (changing credentials, 2FA, etc.)

Avoid off-platform payments, anonymous sellers, and too-good-to-be-true deals.

What’s the average cost of buying a quality Instagram account?

Smaller niche accounts can range from $100–$500, while high-quality accounts with real followers and engagement can sell for $1,000–$10,000+.

Is it better to build an Instagram account from scratch?

It depends. Building from scratch is organic and low-risk, but slow. Buying gives you a head start — if done right. Just make sure you’re not inheriting someone else’s problems (fake followers, bans, low reach).