How to buy AI credits safely: a verification checklist
Discounted AI credits can extend runway, but the quality of the transfer matters more than the headline discount. Use this checklist to compare offers and avoid unclear ownership, expiry, or access terms.
Verify the balance and the owner
Ask for a current, time-stamped balance view and enough account history to connect the seller to the account. Sensitive keys and personal details should be redacted.
Confirm whether the offer is a full account transfer, an organization transfer, an API key, or an invoiced usage arrangement. These are not interchangeable.
Check restrictions before price
Review expiry dates, region limits, program restrictions, model access, rate limits, and whether promotional credits can be transferred. A large balance with a short usable window may be worth less than a smaller flexible balance.
Write down exactly what access is included and what happens if access fails after delivery.
Use a documented handoff
Keep the agreed balance, price, delivery steps, acceptance test, and refund conditions in one written record. Use an escrow or milestone structure appropriate for the transaction size.
Never send passwords, recovery codes, or API secrets in a public chat. Exchange sensitive credentials only through an agreed secure channel.