Fortnite has caused quite the security kerfuffle. Between releasing the Android app outside the Google Play Store, and an insane desire for V-Bucks, scams are running rampant.
Wired put out this article yesterday entitled Fortnite scams are even worse than you thought, and it made me sad that people are being tricked (that’s for tomorrow 🎃).
I made a simple browser extension as a helpful reminder of legitimate V-Buck sites. It will give you a green thumbs up on real V-Bucks websites, and a red thumbs down for sites where you can’t safely purchase V-Bucks. Check it out on GitHub.
If all else fails, to stay safe, remember: ONLY BUY V-BUCKS IN THE GAME.
Installation
Download the extension files by clicking “Clone or download > Download Zip” on Github
Follow steps 1, 2, and 3 here to install the extension
(Yes, enabling developer mode to sideload extensions is a similar security whole to what Epic is doing with Fortnite on Android. I’ll look into publishing the extension officially.)
Test out the extension!
V-Bucks for PlayStation:
https://store.playstation.com/en-us/product/UP1477-CUSA07022_00-MTX01K0000000000
V-Bucks for Xbox:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/fortnite-1-000-v-bucks/c0f5ht9nv86p
V-Bucks for PC/Switch/iOS/Android are only available in game, but here’s a link to Epic Games explaining that:
https://www.epicgames.com/fortnite
Don’t buy V-Bucks on eBay:
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=v+bucks
Video demo
It’s all out the gifs
Other Fortnite Links and Security Tips
Here’s how to get Fortnite on Android:
https://www.epicgames.com/fortnite/en-US/mobile/android/get-started
How to protect your Epic account:
https://www.epicgames.com/fortnite/en-US/news/protecting-your-epic-account
Epic on V-Buck Scams:
https://epicgames.helpshift.com/a/fortnite/?s=epic-accounts&f=account-security-bulletin&p=all
And a reminder from Wired:
I’ll wrap up by saying I don’t endorse actually purchasing these things, but for those of you who do buy, stay safe out there!