Navigating the world of Amazon Web Services (AWS) can be daunting, especially for startups, developers, and businesses looking to leverage the cloud without the high initial costs. This has led to a growing market where individuals and companies seek to purchase pre-existing AWS accounts. The promise of discounted credits, lifted limits, and immediate access is enticing. However, this path is fraught with significant risks and complexities that every potential buyer must understand.
This complete buyer’s guide will walk you through everything you need to know: why people consider Purchase AWS Accounts, the serious risks involved, how to identify a legitimate offer, and, most importantly, the safe and legal alternatives to achieve your cloud computing goals.
Why Would Anyone Want to Buy an AWS Account?
Before diving into the risks, it’s crucial to understand the motivations behind this demand. People don’t typically seek to buy an AWS account without a reason. The primary drivers include:
- Access to AWS Promotional Credits: This is the most common reason. AWS often provides substantial promotional credits (ranging from $1,000 to $100,000+) to startups enrolled in programs like AWS Activate, AWS Educate, or through venture capital partners. Some entities that receive these credits may not use them all and look to sell the account to monetise the leftover credits.
- Bypassing the AWS Free Tier Limitations: The AWS Free Tier is excellent for beginners, but it has strict resource and time limits (usually 12 months). A purchased account might be advertised as a way to get a “permanent” free tier or one with higher limits.
- Circumventing AWS Service Limits: New AWS accounts have default service limits (e.g., on the number of EC2 instances or VPCs you can run). Established accounts often have higher, raised limits, which can be attractive for businesses that need to scale rapidly without going through AWS’s support process to request increases.
- Immediate Anonymity or Geodiversity: Some users may want to use services in a specific region not available in their country or operate with a level of anonymity that a personally verified account does not allow. This is often a red flag for potentially malicious activity.
- Avoiding a Credit Check or Payment Verification: Setting up an enterprise-level AWS account requires a credit card and sometimes a credit check. Buying a pre-verified account might seem like a way to avoid this process.
The Critical Risks of Buying an AWS Account
This is the most crucial section of this guide. Purchasing an AWS account is a direct violation of AWS’s Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) and Terms of Service (ToS). The risks far outweigh any potential benefits.
1. Immediate and Permanent Termination:
AWS has sophisticated fraud detection systems. Suppose they identify that an account has changed ownership or that the information on the account does not match the user. In that case, they will immediately suspend and permanently terminate the account without warning. You will lose all data, configurations, and services running on that account instantly, with no recourse for recovery.
2. Financial Scams and Fraud:
The marketplace for selling AWS accounts is unregulated. You are highly likely to encounter:
- The After-Sale Takeover: The original owner retains the root email and security credentials. They can easily initiate a forgot password request, lock you out, and take back the account after you’ve paid for it and deployed your infrastructure.
- Stolen Accounts or Credits: Many accounts for sale are obtained through stolen credit cards, identity theft, or fraudulent applications for startup credits. When AWS discovers the fraud, they will shut the account down, and you will be held responsible for any charges incurred, potentially facing legal complications.
- Non-Delivery: You send payment via an untraceable method, and the seller disappears, never providing the account credentials.
3. No Support or Recourse:
If you encounter technical issues, you cannot contact AWS Support. Any support ticket you open will require identity verification that matches the original account holder. Since you are not that person, AWS will refuse service and likely flag the account for termination.
4. Security Vulnerabilities:
You have no idea what the previous owner has done with the account. It could be backdoored, have malicious scripts installed, or be blocked by AWS for the last policy violations. You are inheriting a complete unknown, putting your applications and data at immense risk.
5. Legal and Compliance Repercussions:
Using an account registered to someone else’s identity violates AWS’s terms. If you are running a business, this breach of contract invalidates any SLA (Service Level Agreement). It makes it impossible to pass any security or compliance audits (e.g., HIPAA, SOC 2, PCI DSS). The legal liability for any fraudulent activity traced back to the account could fall on you.
How to Identify a (Relatively) Safer Offer? A Buyer’s Checklist
We strongly advise against buying an account. However, if you are determined to proceed despite the risks, here is a checklist to minimise your chances of being scammed. This is not an endorsement but a risk mitigation framework.
- Transparency of the Seller: Can the seller clearly explain the origin of the credits? Is it from a legitimate, now-closed startup? Are they willing to have a video call to establish trust?
- Account History: Ask for proof of the account’s age, service limits, and credit balance from the AWS Billing & Cost Management console (with sensitive info redacted). A brand-new account with $10,000 in credits is almost certainly fraudulent.
- Transfer Process: The seller must provide full root access. This includes:
- The root email address (which should be changed to one you control immediately).
- Full access to the associated phone number for MFA (Multi-Factor Authentication).
- Access to any attached payment methods (which should be removed).
- The ability to change all IAM user passwords and delete any existing users.
- Payment Security: Use a payment method with buyer protection, such as a credit card or a secured escrow service. Never use irreversible methods like cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or gift cards.
- Price Reality Check: If the price seems too good to be true (e.g., $100 for an account with $10,000 in credits), it is absolutely a scam. The market rate for legitimate, unused credits is typically a fraction of their face value (e.g., 10-30%), not a near-free giveaway.
Safe, Legal, and Recommended Alternatives to Buying an AWS Account
The best way to get started on AWS is through the official, sanctioned channels. They are safe, secure, and designed for long-term success.
1. AWS Free Tier:
Every new AWS account gets access to the Free Tier. This allows you to use popular services like EC2, S3, and Lambda for free up to specific limits for 12 months. It is perfect for learning, experimenting, and building proof-of-concept applications.
2. AWS Activate Program:
This is the legitimate way to get free AWS credits. If you are a startup, you can apply for the AWS Activate Portfolio program through a supported Venture Capital firm, accelerator, or incubator. If accepted, you can receive anywhere from $1,000 to over $100,000 in AWS credits, along with training, support, and other resources.
3. AWS Educate:
For students and educators, AWS Educate provides a grant of credits for learning and building in the cloud. It’s an excellent program for those in academic institutions.
4. Contact AWS Sales:
If you are an established business planning a significant migration or project, contact AWS sales. They can often provide guidance, support, and credits for proof-of-concept projects to win your business. They can also help you quickly raise your service limits based on your legitimate business needs.
5. Cost Optimisation Techniques:
Instead of seeking a shady account, learn to optimise your costs on a legitimate account:
- Use Spot Instances for fault-tolerant workloads (can save up to 90%).
- Purchase Savings Plans or Reserved Instances for predictable usage (can save up to 72% compared to On-Demand).
- Implement auto-scaling to ensure you only pay for the resources you need.
- Cost management tools like AWS Cost Explorer and AWS Budgets can be used to monitor spending.
Conclusion: The Best Price is Peace of Mind
The pursuit of a cheap AWS account is a high-stakes gamble where the house—Amazon Web Services—always wins. The overwhelming risks of account termination, financial fraud, data loss, and legal trouble obliterate the immediate financial savings.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): Purchase AWS Account | Trust Cloud Store
Q1: What exactly does Trust Cloud Store sell?
Trust Cloud Store provides pre-established, fully verified AWS (Amazon Web Services) accounts. These accounts are ready for immediate use, bypassing the often lengthy and complex approval process required by Amazon.
Q2: Why would I need to purchase an AWS account?
Individuals and businesses purchase accounts for several reasons: to quickly launch projects without delay, to access specific AWS services or regions that require stringent verification, to manage multiple separate environments, or to overcome previous restrictions placed on an account by AWS.
Q3: Is it legal and safe to buy an AWS account?
While the act of selling accounts is against AWS’s Terms of Service (ToS), the accounts themselves are legitimate. Trust Cloud Store ensures all accounts are created with real, verified information to maximise stability and longevity. However, buyers should be aware that using a purchased account carries a risk of suspension if AWS identifies a violation of its ToS.
Q4: What is included with my purchased AWS account?
Typically, you will receive the account email address, a secure password, and any necessary recovery details. All accounts come with identity and payment verification already completed, granting full access to AWS services.
Q5: How does Trust Cloud Store ensure the accounts are reliable?
Trust Cloud Store uses legitimate and unique information for each account creation, ensuring they pass AWS’s verification checks. This meticulous process is designed to provide a stable and secure foundation for your cloud operations.
Q6: What kind of support can I expect after my purchase?
Trust Cloud Store offers post-purchase support to help you access and navigate your new AWS account. They can assist with initial setup questions, though deep technical support for AWS services themselves is not provided.
Q7: Can I use these accounts for any purpose?
While the accounts provide full access, you must still comply with AWS’s Acceptable Use Policy. Any illegal or malicious activities are strictly prohibited and will result in immediate account termination.
Q8: How do I get started?
Visit the Trust Cloud Store website, select the AWS account package that meets your needs, and complete the purchase. You will receive your account credentials shortly after.
