Blog Categories
Introduction: Escrows in Buying Instagram Accounts
If you’re planning to buy an Instagram account, here’s one thing you need to know right off the bat: escrow services exist to protect you from getting scammed. They hold your payment safely until the seller actually hands over the account. No account, no money — plain and simple.
It sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people skip this step. They wire cash or send crypto to someone they’ve never met, hoping the other side follows through. Sometimes it works. Other times? The seller disappears, and the buyer is left with nothing but regret.
Buying Instagram accounts is becoming more common, whether you’re a brand looking to boost reach or a creator trying to save time. But as the market grows, so do the risks. That’s why using an escrow isn’t just smart — it’s necessary.
What Is an Escrow Service — and How Does It Work When Buying Instagram Accounts?
An escrow service is a neutral third party that holds money during a transaction and only releases it once both sides meet the agreed conditions. Here’s how it typically works, step by step:
-
Agreement: Buyer and seller agree on the terms — the account, the price, the timeline.
-
Payment: The buyer sends the payment to the escrow service. At this point, the money is locked in and can’t be accessed by either party.
-
Transfer: The seller provides the account login credentials and any necessary email access.
-
Verification: The buyer logs in, confirms everything is working, and that the account is fully transferred.
-
Release: Only after that confirmation does the escrow release the payment to the seller.
This structure protects both sides. Buyers avoid getting ripped off by fake sellers. Sellers don’t risk handing over an account and then getting ghosted on payment. It adds accountability and trust to a process that’s often done between strangers.
Escrow services aren’t new. They’ve been used in real estate, freelance work, and even domain name sales for years. But with the rise of social media asset trading — Instagram accounts included — they’ve found a new and important role. Not all escrow providers are equal, though, and we’ll touch on how to choose a good one later in this article.
Why Escrows Are Essential When Buying Instagram Accounts?
Escrow services protect your money when buying Instagram accounts by holding payment until the account is successfully transferred. Without one, you risk losing both your money and the account.
Instagram doesn’t officially support buying or selling accounts. If something goes wrong — like the seller vanishing after payment — there’s no platform support to recover your loss. Escrows reduce that risk by acting as a neutral third party: they release funds only when both sides meet the agreed terms.
This is especially important because social media account transactions are often done between strangers. Scams are common — from fake accounts to sellers who reclaim access after the sale. Escrows create accountability. They hold both parties to the deal and allow time for verification.
Beyond protection, they also help manage disputes. If there’s a disagreement over account details, engagement stats, or included assets, the funds stay locked until it’s resolved.
Bottom line: if you’re buying an Instagram account without using escrow, you’re assuming all the risk. With it, you’re putting a professional safety net in place — and that’s non-negotiable in today’s market.
What Are The Best Escrow Services for Buying & Selling Instagram Accounts in 2025
If you’re buying or selling an Instagram account in 2025, these are the escrow services worth considering. Each one offers a secure way to handle transactions — protecting both the buyer’s money and the seller’s account.
1-TRUSTAP
A strong choice for Instagram deals. Trustap holds the buyer’s funds until all parts of the handover are complete. It’s user-friendly and supports milestone payments, which makes it easier to break the transaction into steps — like username first, email next.
-
Best for: Smaller to mid-size Instagram deals
-
Why it works: Mobile-friendly, milestone control, built for digital assets
Trustap offers websites an integrated onsite escrow service, allowing buyers to make payments through Trustap on the checkout page, without leaving the website.
2-ESCROW.COM
Well-known and legally backed, Escrow.com is a top-tier platform used for high-value deals — including domains, vehicles, and now social accounts. It’s secure, regulated, and trusted globally, though it’s more formal than some creators may need.
-
Best for: Larger transactions or buyers who want a licensed service, not advised for Instagram accounts transfer
-
Why it works: Serious protection, full legal compliance, long track record
Based on online reviews and our own experiences, Escrow.com is generally secure for most transactions, but not recommended for social properties like Instagram accounts. Transactions involving websites and domains are easily traceable, unlike IG accounts which are difficult to verify if they have been transferred.
Escrow.com stated that they wouldn’t intervene with social media accounts if there were any issues with credentials.
If a seller sends fraudulent credentials, the buyer will reject the agreement and get their funds back. The issue arises when the buyer insists the password is incorrect, and they won’t help even if you know it’s right. Just one dishonest buyer can make the transaction problematic.
To sum up, in social media account transfers, they only hold the money and hope for the best. If a dispute arises, you’re out of luck. As a buyer, you’re protected because they simply refund your money. However, as a seller, you face the risk of the buyer lying and claiming that the passwords didn’t work, putting you in a difficult situation.
3-SCROWISE
Scrowise is built specifically for digital goods like Instagram and TikTok accounts. It’s tailored for creators and influencers, with a straightforward handover process and a clean interface.
-
Best for: Influencers and creators doing direct deals
-
Why it works: Niche focus, simple dashboard, social-specific tools
If you’re a buyer or seller, you must find the person you’ll deal with and transfer the account using SCROWISE. Receiving funds from the buyer triggers this process, and based on our experience, it may take 5-7 days for the seller to receive payment.
They ensure the seller can’t restore the account, but no verification check is done on the account. Consider them as a basic escrow service, unlike Trustap which provides a grace period for the buyer to assess account activity. Payment is released to the seller once the account is secure.
The escrow fee is 10%, and it can be divided between the parties.
4- InstaDeal
InstaDeal is a dedicated marketplace for Instagram accounts, and it comes with built-in escrow protection. Instead of managing the escrow separately, buyers can pay directly through the site using credit card — powered by Trustap’s integrated plugin. Once payment is made, the escrow process begins automatically, keeping both parties protected throughout the transfer.
-
Best for: Buyers who want everything handled in one place
-
Why it works: Built-in Trustap escrow, direct credit card payments, focused marketplace
How to Use an Escrow Step-by-Step When Buying an Instagram Account
Using an escrow service to buy an Instagram account is simple — and smart. Here’s how it works, step by step:
1. Agree on the Terms with the Seller
Before anything else, make sure you and the seller are clear on what’s being sold. This includes:
-
The exact Instagram handle
-
What’s included (linked email, content, followers)
-
The final price
Put this in writing — even if it’s just a short message. You’ll need these terms when setting up the escrow.
2. Choose Your Escrow Platform
Pick a trusted escrow service like Trustap, Escrow.com, or Scrowise. If you’re buying through a platform like InstaDeal, the escrow setup may already be built-in.
Create an account if needed, and select the type of transaction (digital goods or social media account).
3. Deposit the Payment into Escrow
Once the terms are confirmed, the buyer deposits the full amount into the escrow account. This shows the seller that you’re serious, while keeping your money safe.
Most platforms accept credit cards, bank transfers, or crypto, depending on the service.
4. The Seller Transfers the Instagram Account
Now the seller provides:
-
The username and password
-
Access to the connected email address
-
Any additional info needed to complete ownership transfer
At this stage, the account should be fully under your control.
5. Confirm You’ve Received Everything
Once you’ve logged in and verified access, check:
-
Email and phone recovery options are updated
-
Two-factor authentication is turned off (or switched to your device)
-
The original owner no longer has access
Before confirming the release of funds, make sure you’ve secured the account completely — updated recovery info, reset passwords, and removed the seller’s access. This step-by-step guide breaks down exactly how to lock it down.
6. Funds Are Released to the Seller
Once you give the green light, the escrow service releases the funds. The deal is done — and both sides are protected.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using Escrow Services for Instagram Accounts
Even with an escrow in place, things can still go wrong — usually because someone rushes, skips steps, or misunderstands how the process works. Here are the most common mistakes people make when using escrow for Instagram account deals, and how to avoid them:
1. Skipping Written Terms
Always define what you’re buying. Don’t assume both sides “get it.” Write down what’s included in the deal — the account handle, the price, what happens if something goes wrong. This protects you if there’s a dispute.
2. Using the Wrong Escrow Service
Not all escrow platforms are built for digital asset deals. Choose one that clearly supports social media transactions. Avoid random “escrow” sites with no track record — scams exist on both sides of the table.
3. Confirming Too Soon
Never approve the transaction before you’ve verified full control of the account. This means:
-
You can log in
-
Recovery email and phone are updated
-
Two-factor authentication is yours
Once funds are released, it’s very hard to get them back.
4. Not Changing Recovery Info Immediately
As soon as you get the account, update the recovery email, phone number, and password. This blocks the original owner from regaining access. Many account thefts happen after the buyer logs in, but before they lock it down.
5. Falling for Pressure Tactics
If a seller pushes you to skip escrow or rush the process, that’s a red flag. Most scams happen when buyers feel rushed or cut corners. Here’s a guide on how to safely purchase an Instagram account — worth reading before any deal.
6. Not Reading Escrow Terms Carefully
Each escrow platform has its own rules. Some have time limits for inspections. Others charge fees or handle disputes a certain way. Know how the process works before you start — it’ll save headaches later.
FAQs: Escrow Services for Instagram Account Transactions
1. Is it legal to buy and sell Instagram accounts?
Instagram’s Terms of Use prohibit account sales, but there are no laws preventing individuals from transferring accounts. Just know that you’re operating in a gray area — which is exactly why using escrow is smart.
2. Can Instagram ban an account that’s been bought?
Yes, if a transfer is detected or reported, Instagram could suspend the account. That’s why it’s important to transfer carefully — including changing email, phone, and content gradually rather than all at once.
3. Do all escrow services support Instagram account deals?
No. Some are meant for physical goods or freelance contracts. Use platforms that clearly support digital goods or social media accounts — like Trustap, Escrow.com, or Scrowise.
4. How long does the escrow process usually take?
Most deals take 1 to 5 business days, depending on the platform, how fast the seller transfers the account, and how quickly the buyer confirms. Some services (like milestone-based escrows) may take slightly longer.
5. Can I pay for escrow services with a credit card?
Yes — most services support credit cards, and some (like InstaDeal via Trustap) offer direct card payments on the website. Credit cards also give buyers an added layer of fraud protection.
