What is the Safest Way to Buy a League of Legends Account?
The most straightforward answer is: there isn’t a truly 100% safe way to buy a League of Legends (LoL) account. This might not be what you wanted to hear, but it’s crucial to understand the inherent risks involved. Buying and selling accounts directly violates Riot Games’ Terms of Service (ToS), and any transaction comes with the potential for account suspension or permanent bans. However, if you’re still determined to pursue this route, minimizing risk is key. Here’s a breakdown of the safest approaches and what to look out for:
Understanding the Risks
Before diving into strategies, it’s essential to be aware of the dangers:
- Account Bans: Riot Games actively monitors for account trading and takes action against violators. This is the most significant and immediate threat. Your purchased account could be banned at any moment, resulting in a complete loss of your investment.
- Scams: The online market for game accounts is rife with scammers. You might pay for an account and never receive it, or receive an account that’s already banned or not as advertised.
- Account Recovery: Even if you successfully obtain an account, the original owner might recover it later using the initial recovery information. This leaves you without the account and your money.
- Malware & Phishing: Some sites selling accounts might host malicious software or try to steal your personal information.
Strategies for Minimizing Risk (While Accepting It’s Never Zero)
Since completely eliminating risks is impossible, here are strategies to minimize them when buying a LoL account:
1. Choose Reputable Marketplaces (If You Must)
While still not entirely safe, using a reputable third-party marketplace can offer some layer of protection compared to buying directly from an individual. Here’s what to look for:
- Established Platforms: Opt for marketplaces that have been in business for a reasonable time and have a history of transactions.
- User Reviews: Look for platforms with numerous, positive user reviews on independent platforms (like Reviews.io, Trustpilot) not just reviews on their own website. Be wary of overly generic or perfect reviews that might be fake.
- Buyer Protections: A good platform offers buyer protections, like escrow services that hold payment until you confirm the account is as described.
- Secure Payment Options: Choose platforms with secure payment gateways, avoiding those that only accept less secure methods.
- Account Verification: Check if the platform has a system to verify the account details (rank, skins, etc.) before it’s sold.
Examples (Not Endorsements) of Commonly Mentioned Marketplaces
(Please note that the inclusion of these names is for informational purposes only and does not guarantee their safety or legitimacy)
While the article you provided mentions several websites, it’s important to emphasize that their legitimacy is subjective. Turbosmurfs.gg, G2G.com, HappySmurf.com, Eldorado.gg, Lolunranked.com, Hotsmurfs.com, Unrankedsmurfs.com, Masterclonesmurfs.com, and PlayerAuctions.com are names commonly brought up in the context of buying/selling LoL accounts. However, it’s your responsibility to perform thorough due diligence before considering any of them. Do not rely solely on lists, and always seek up-to-date user feedback.
2. Avoid “Too Good to Be True” Deals
Be extremely cautious of accounts offered at exceptionally low prices. This is a red flag for potential scams. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
3. Thoroughly Inspect the Account Details
Before finalizing any purchase, insist on seeing screenshots or other evidence of:
- Rank and Tier: Verify the stated rank and tier within the game.
- Skins and Champions: Confirm the presence of advertised skins and champions.
- Level and Progression: Double-check the account level and any other in-game achievements.
- Clean Record: Enquire if there is a record of any past bans or warnings on the account.
4. Be Aware of the Seller’s Reputation
If you are buying directly from an individual, seek references or feedback from other users. A reputable seller should be open to providing proof of account ownership and be transparent about any potential risks.
5. Never Share Your Own Personal Information
Be wary of sellers asking for your personal information (email address, phone number, etc.) outside of the marketplace’s secure platform. This can be a sign of a scam or phishing attempt.
6. Change All Recovery Information Immediately
If you proceed with a purchase, change the associated email, phone number, and password immediately. Ensure you also update any backup recovery options to safeguard your new account.
7. Understand the Implications of Smurfing
Buying an account to play against lower-ranked players (smurfing) is itself a violation of the game’s rules and can lead to bans. Consider whether the perceived benefit outweighs the potential consequences.
Alternatives to Buying an Account
Before resorting to buying an account, consider exploring these alternatives:
- Starting Fresh: Creating a new account and leveling up organically is the safest method.
- Playing with Friends: If you want to play with friends in a different rank, consider playing normal games together or forming a group with mixed ranks.
- Improving Your Own Skills: Rather than seeking an account with a higher rank, focus on improving your own skills to rank up naturally.
The Final Word
While there are strategies to minimize risks, buying a League of Legends account is never entirely safe. It’s crucial to understand this fact and proceed with extreme caution, if at all. Remember, it’s often better to invest time and effort into your own account than risk losing money and access to the game through potentially banned accounts. The game was intended to be enjoyed through legitimate gameplay, and the best experience always comes from playing fairly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is buying a League of Legends account illegal?
While not illegal in a legal sense, it violates Riot Games’ Terms of Service (ToS). This can result in a ban, effectively rendering your purchase useless.
2. Will Riot Games detect if I buy an account?
Riot has methods to detect account trading, including tracking IP addresses, playing behavior, and changes to login information. There’s always a risk of detection.
3. How much does it cost to buy a LoL account?
Account prices can vary widely, from as low as $30 for basic accounts to hundreds of dollars for high-rank, skin-filled accounts. Prices depend on rank, level, and included content.
4. What is a smurf account, and is it safe to use a bought smurf account?
A smurf account is an alternate account used by a more experienced player to play against lower-ranked players. Buying a smurf account is risky because it still violates the ToS and can lead to bans.
5. Can the original owner of a purchased account recover it?
Yes, especially if they have the initial recovery information. This is a common risk of buying accounts.
6. Is it okay to use multiple accounts on League of Legends?
Having multiple accounts is not explicitly forbidden, but using them to exploit the ranking system (smurfing to bully lower-ranked players) is considered a violation.
7. Can I get perma-banned for buying a League of Legends account?
Yes, Riot can permanently ban accounts that violate their ToS, including those involved in account trading.
8. What is the difference between a Riot account and a League of Legends account?
A Riot account is the overarching account used to access all Riot games, whereas a LoL account refers specifically to your in-game profile.
9. How do I know if my League of Legends account has been banned?
You’ll typically receive a pop-up message upon login, or if banned mid-game, within 15 minutes after the match.
10. Can I get a banned League of Legends account unbanned?
Riot does not typically lift bans due to violations of the ToS, especially those related to cheating or third-party software.
11. Can I transfer my League of Legends account to another region?
Yes, but transfers require the purchase of a transfer token via Riot Points (RP). The cost is usually 2600 RP.
12. Is it safe to sell League of Legends accounts?
Selling accounts carries similar risks as buying. You might be scammed or the account might be reclaimed, leaving you without your account. Furthermore, it can lead to your original account also being banned.
13. What are the safest ways to level up a League of Legends account without buying it?
The safest method is playing through the levels organically, although it may take time and effort.
14. What does “botted account” mean, and are they safe?
Botted accounts are accounts leveled up using automation or scripts, which is against ToS and very risky, often leading to bans.
15. Is PlayerAuctions a safe platform to buy and sell accounts?
While PlayerAuctions offers some security features like escrow, it cannot guarantee the safety of account purchases/sales, as it is still against Riot’s ToS. Buyer and seller protection, although present, cannot prevent account bans. Always conduct thorough research before considering this platform.