How to Avoid Common OnlyFans Scams

OnlyFans has revolutionized the creator economy, giving artists, models, fitness trainers, and entertainers a direct way to monetize their content and connect with their audience. With over three million creators and hundreds of millions of users, its rapid growth has been phenomenal. Unfortunately, wherever there is significant money and a large user base, scammers are sure to follow.

Navigating OnlyFans safely requires both creators and subscribers to be aware of the sophisticated scams that target them. From fake promotions and account takeover attempts to elaborate blackmail schemes, these threats can lead to financial loss, reputational damage, and significant emotional distress. Understanding how these scams work is the first and most critical step in protecting yourself.

This guide will walk you through the most prevalent scams circulating on OnlyFans and other creator platforms. We will provide clear, actionable steps you can take to identify red flags, secure your account, and engage with the platform confidently. By arming yourself with this knowledge, you can ensure your Only-Fans experience remains positive, profitable, and, most importantly, safe.

Understanding the Most Common OnlyFans Scams

Scammers are constantly evolving their tactics, but many of the most effective scams rely on the same principles: exploiting trust, creating a sense of urgency, and preying on a user’s desire for a good deal or exclusive access. Below are detailed breakdowns of the most common schemes targeting both subscribers and creators.

Scams Targeting Subscribers

Fans are often the primary target for scams due to their sheer number. Scammers see them as a large pool of potential victims from which to extract money or personal information.

Fake “Free” Accounts and Leaks

One of the most widespread scams involves promoting “free” access to a popular creator’s paid OnlyFans page or offering links to “leaked” content. These offers are heavily advertised on social media platforms like Reddit, Twitter, and TikTok, often using stolen images or videos of the creator to appear legitimate.

• How it works: When a user clicks the link, they aren’t taken to OnlyFans. Instead, they are redirected to a malicious website designed to look like the platform. This site will ask for credit card details for “age verification” or to unlock the content. Once the details are entered, scammers can make fraudulent charges or sell the information on the dark web. In other cases, clicking the link may initiate a malware download that infects the user’s device, stealing passwords and other sensitive data.
• Red flags: Be wary of any offer that promises free access to content that is normally behind a paywall. Legitimate creators rarely, if ever, give away their entire paid feed for free. Check the URL of any site asking for payment details; if it’s not onlyfans.com, it’s a scam.

The “Sugar Daddy/Mommy” Scam

This scam preys on a user’s hope for a financial windfall. A scammer, posing as a wealthy “sugar daddy” or “sugar mommy,” will approach a subscriber or even a new creator. They promise to pay off their debts, buy them lavish gifts, or provide a generous weekly allowance in exchange for companionship or attention.

• How it works: The scammer builds trust over a short period before claiming they need the victim to pay a small “processing fee” or “transaction fee” to release the larger payment. They might say their bank requires this fee for international transfers or to verify the recipient’s account. Of course, once the victim sends the money, the scammer and their promised allowance disappear.
• Red flags: Unsolicited offers of large sums of money from strangers are almost always a scam. No legitimate financial transaction requires the recipient to pay a fee to receive money. Never send money to someone you’ve only met online, especially through platforms like Cash App, Venmo, or cryptocurrency.

Catfishing and Impersonation Accounts

Scammers create fake OnlyFans profiles using photos and videos stolen from other creators or even from public Instagram profiles. They impersonate the person, engaging with subscribers to get them to pay for a subscription to a nonexistent or low-quality page.

• How it works: The scammer builds a profile that looks real, often buying fake followers to seem more credible. They then direct message users, offering a discount on their subscription. Once the user subscribes, they might find the page has very little content, or the scammer will try to upsell them on nonexistent custom content.
• Red flags: Look for verification checkmarks on creator profiles. While not all legitimate creators are verified, it’s a good sign of authenticity. Do a reverse image search on their profile pictures. If the images appear on many different social media profiles under different names, you’re likely dealing with a catfish.

Scams Targeting Creators

Creators are also high-value targets. Scammers aim to take over their accounts, steal their earnings, or blackmail them for money.

Account Takeover and Phishing Scams

Phishing is one of the most dangerous threats to creators. Scammers send emails or direct messages that appear to be from OnlyFans support, claiming there’s a problem with the creator’s account, a payment issue, or a copyright violation.

• How it works: The message will contain a link that directs the creator to a fake login page that perfectly mimics the real OnlyFans site. When the creator enters their username and password, the scammer captures their credentials. With access to the account, the scammer can change the banking information to divert earnings, lock the creator out, and even delete the account entirely.
• Red flags: Always scrutinize emails from “OnlyFans.” Check the sender’s email address for slight misspellings (e.g., support@only-fans.co instead of support@onlyfans.com). OnlyFans will never ask for your password via email or direct message. Always log in by typing onlyfans.com directly into your browser, not by clicking a link.

Chargeback Scams

This frustrating scam involves a subscriber purchasing content—often expensive custom videos—and then filing a fraudulent chargeback with their credit card company, claiming the purchase was unauthorized.

• How it works: The subscriber gets the content, and the creator gets the initial payment. Days or weeks later, the subscriber disputes the charge. The bank often sides with the cardholder, reversing the transaction and pulling the money back from the creator’s account. The creator is left without payment and has little recourse, as they’ve already delivered the content.
• Red flags: Be cautious with new subscribers who immediately request a large amount of expensive custom content. Building a rapport with subscribers first can sometimes help deter this behavior. Unfortunately, this is one of the hardest scams to prevent, as chargebacks are handled by financial institutions.

Blackmail and “Doxxing” Threats

Perhaps the most malicious scam, blackmail (or “sextortion”) involves a scammer threatening to leak a creator’s private content or expose their real-life identity (“doxxing”) to their family, friends, or employer unless a payment is made.

• How it works: The scammer might be a former subscriber or someone who has illegally obtained a creator’s content. They will contact the creator with evidence that they have their content and personal information, demanding hundreds or thousands of dollars to keep it private.
• Red flags: This is a serious crime. If you are being blackmailed, do not pay the ransom. There is no guarantee the scammer will delete the content, and paying often leads to further demands. Document everything, block the user, and report the incident to both OnlyFans support and your local law enforcement.

Your Proactive Defense: How to Stay Safe on OnlyFans

Vigilance is your best weapon against scams. By adopting a few key security habits, you can significantly reduce your risk of becoming a victim.

1. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

This is the single most important step you can take to protect your account. 2FA adds a second layer of security by requiring a code from your phone in addition to your password to log in. This means that even if a scammer steals your password, they won’t be able to access your account. You can enable 2FA in the “Security” section of your OnlyFans settings.

2. Practice Smart Password Management

Your OnlyFans password should be long, complex, and unique. Do not reuse a password you use for any other website. Use a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. A password manager can help you generate and store strong, unique passwords for all your online accounts.

3. Verify Links and Websites Before Clicking

Never trust links in unsolicited emails or messages. If you receive a message that seems to be from OnlyFans, do not click the link. Instead, open a new browser tab and navigate to the official website yourself to check for any notifications. Hover your mouse over any link to preview the destination URL before you click.

4. Be Skeptical of Unsolicited Offers

Whether it’s an offer for free content, a “sugar daddy” promising a fortune, or a “manager” promising to boost your earnings for a fee, treat all unsolicited offers with extreme suspicion. Remember the old adage: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

5. Protect Your Personal Information

Be careful about how much personal information you share. Avoid showing identifying details in your content, such as mail with your address, unique tattoos (unless part of your brand), or landmarks near your home. Use a P.O. box for any mail and consider using a VPN to mask your IP address.

Final Thoughts on Staying Secure

OnlyFans provides a powerful platform for creators and a unique experience for subscribers, but its popularity makes it a magnet for fraudulent activity. By staying informed about the common scams and implementing strong security practices, you can protect yourself from those who seek to exploit the platform for their own gain.

Always trust your instincts. If a situation feels off or an offer seems suspicious, it’s better to be cautious and disengage. Report any suspicious activity to OnlyFans support immediately. They have teams dedicated to investigating and removing bad actors. By working together, the community can help make the platform a safer space for everyone.