Common OSRS Scams to Avoid: Protect Your Account!

Old School RuneScape has a great community, but like anywhere online, scammers exist, trying to steal your hard-earned gold, items, or even your whole account. Knowing the common tricks is the best way to stay safe.

At Tons of XP, we care about your security, whether you use our services or are just playing the game. Here are common scams to watch out for:

1. Trade Scams

These rely on you not paying attention during trades:

  • Quick Switching: Scammer shows a valuable item (like Bandos Chestplate), you accept, then they quickly swap it for a cheap look-alike (like Bandos Trimmed Rune Platebody) right before the final confirmation. ALWAYS double-check the second trade screen carefully. See exactly what you are getting.
  • Cash/Token Tricks: They offer a big stack of platinum tokens or cash, then remove some or switch valuable tokens to normal coins, hoping you won't notice the lower amount on the final screen. Verify the exact number being traded.
  • "Trust Trades" / Fake Anti-Scams: Someone asks you to trade your items to "prove you trust them" or wants to "show you an anti-scam method" that requires you trading valuables. Don't. Never trade valuable items for nothing just because someone asks.

2. Luring Scams

Lures trick you into going somewhere dangerous (usually the Wilderness or specific PvP worlds) so you lose your items:

  • Skull Tricking: Scammers use tricky methods (like having hidden alts attack you, blocking paths, using confusing game mechanics) to make you attack them first. This makes you "skulled" in PvP zones, meaning you drop all your items if you die. Be super careful if strangers ask you to follow them into the Wilderness or do weird things there.
  • Fake Events/Giveaways: Someone shouts about a huge giveaway or a game of chance, telling you to bring valuable gear to a specific spot (often deep Wildy or a PvP world). Real giveaways don't make you risk your items.
  • Teleport Lures: Tricking you into teleporting somewhere dangerous. They might rename teleport tablets, give confusing instructions leading to Wilderness levers, or tell you a location is safe when it's not. Always check where a teleport goes before you use it.

3. Phishing Scams (Stealing Your Login Info)

These scams aim to steal your RuneScape password:

  • Fake Login Pages: Scammers make fake websites that look exactly like the real RuneScape login page. They might link these on fake Twitch streams (pretending to be Jagex, promising Double XP or prizes if you log in via their link), fake YouTube videos, fake emails, or even fake forum posts. ALWAYS check the website address bar. Make sure it's the official oldschool.runescape.wiki or runescape.com. Never click login links from suspicious streams, emails, or messages. Log in directly via the official site or client.
  • Fake Jagex Emails: Emails looking like they're from Jagex, saying your account is locked, you won something, or there's a security issue. They tell you to click a link and log in. Jagex rarely emails you needing an immediate login like this. Check the sender's email address carefully; scammers often use addresses that look almost right.
  • In-Game Fakes: Players pretending to be Jagex Mods (JMods have gold crowns next to their name in chat). They might DM you asking for your password or bank PIN "for verification." Real JMods will NEVER ask for your password or PIN.

4. Fake OSRS Service Scams

With services being popular, scammers pretend to offer them:

  • Too-Good-To-Be-True Prices: Offering Infernal Capes or 99s for way less than known sites. They might just take your money, steal items while "doing the service," or use bots that get you banned.
  • Asking for Bank PIN: This is a massive red flag for any service. Legitimate providers like Tons of XP NEVER need your Bank PIN. Our safety promise is clear.
  • Using Bots: Providers using bots risk getting your account banned. They might be cheap, but it's not worth losing your account. Always choose services that guarantee 100% hand-trained methods.

How to Choose Safe Services: Stick with established providers with good reputations, clear communication (24/7 support helps!), and open safety policies (like guaranteeing manual play and never asking for PINs).

General OSRS Safety Tips:

  • Turn On RuneScape Authenticator: Essential extra security for your account.
  • Use a Unique, Strong Password: Don't reuse passwords from other sites!
  • Secure Your Email: Your registered email needs a strong password and 2FA too.
  • Be Skeptical: If it feels weird or too good to be true, be suspicious. Don't rush into things.
  • Never Share Your Password or Bank PIN. Just don't. Ever.
  • Use Trusted Providers: When buying gold or using services, stick with well-known, reputable sources like Tons of XP. Our buying process is transparent.

Stay alert, don't trust blindly, and keep your account safe!