“Buy Now, Pay Later” services like Affirm are everywhere now. They make it easy to split a purchase into smaller chunks instead of paying everything upfront. Convenient? Definitely. But scammers love anything involving money and personal details—and Affirm is no exception.
First, the good news: Affirm itself uses strong protections. They encrypt your data, monitor accounts for suspicious logins, and offer multi-factor authentication.
The problem is that scammers don’t go after Affirm’s servers—they go after you. Here are a few ways they may try to take advantage:
- Phishing scams. Fake emails or texts that look like they’re from Affirm can trick you into clicking bad links or giving away login details. Once scammers have your credentials, they can open accounts or make purchases in your name.
- Identity theft. Because Affirm requires personal information like your name, address, financial details, and even government ID documents, scammers know it’s a goldmine. If they can get access to your account, they can potentially use that data for fraud elsewhere.
- “Help” scams. Some fraudsters pose as Affirm customer service, reaching out by phone or social media. They may offer to “fix” an issue or “speed up approval,” but really they just want your login or bank info.
- Overspending traps. Affirm makes it easy to borrow in small chunks, which can pile up into big debt. Scammers may exploit this by selling fake goods online and steering you toward Affirm as the payment method, knowing you won’t feel the sting until later.
So how do you stay safe? A few simple habits help:
- Only log in through the official Affirm app or website—not links from texts or emails.
- Turn on multi-factor authentication so even if someone steals your password, they can’t easily get in.
- Never share codes or passwords with anyone claiming to be Affirm support. Real reps won’t ask.
- Watch your purchases—scammers sometimes test accounts with small charges first.
- If a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is.
Affirm works hard to protect you, but scammers are clever at targeting users directly. Treat your Affirm account with the same caution you’d give your bank, and you’ll keep both your money and your identity safer.