Last reviewed September 2026 · How we research · Read the game's rules and enforcement summary first.
Understand the Main Risks
Jagex's Rules of RuneScape define real-world trading as buying or selling, for real money or anything of value, things that relate to Jagex accounts, including paying someone to play your account. They say gold sold by real-world traders is often obtained through botting or by taking over other players' accounts, and that Jagex may ban accounts involved with unofficial sites and services. See our RS3 buyer's guide.
How to Vet an RS3 Gold Seller
Confirm your platform and look for a track record in RuneScape specifically, recent independent reviews and clear refund terms. Our RS3 vendor list shows category scores; the Probemas, RSorder and GPRush reviews describe specialist sellers and their caveats.
Safer Delivery Practices
Delivery should be a plain trade to your character. Never share your Jagex password, bank PIN or authenticator codes. Check the amount on arrival and keep records.
Protect Your Payment Information
Use a payment with dispute rights and keep records. Do not dispute after delivery.
Red Flags to Avoid
Prices far below what other reputable sellers charge for the same amount; requests for your login or bank PIN; offers to play your account for you (which Jagex counts as real-world trading); and unsolicited offers in chat.
Step-by-Step Order Checklist
If you have weighed the rules and decided to go ahead, work through these steps in order. They reduce the avoidable risks; they do not make an order compliant with the game's terms.
- Check the current bond price on the Grand Exchange first.
- Confirm platform and that delivery is a plain trade.
- Compare with a few other reputable sellers and read the vendor's review.
- Never share your login, bank PIN or authenticator codes.
- Pay with a method that allows disputes and keep records.
- Refuse any offer to play your account for you.
What to Do After Delivery
Confirm the amount, keep records and secure the account with an authenticator. Understand that Jagex may ban accounts involved with these services.
Lower-Risk Alternatives
Bonds are bought from Jagex and traded for GP, or redeemed for membership. Otherwise earn gold: see our RS3 gold farming guide and leveling guide.
Veteran Gold vs Reignited Gold
From December 2, RuneScape will have two economies if Jagex keeps the plan it announced at RuneFest: Veteran characters (every existing character) and Reignited characters, each with its own Grand Exchange and no trading between them. Every seller today sells Veteran gold. Before you order after launch, confirm which character type the gold is for, and treat any Reignited gold offered before December 2 as a scam.
Jagex said on October 6 that it is re-evaluating Reignited after a backlash from existing players. On October 9 it listed changes it is considering, such as shortening or dropping the Reignited-only worlds, loosening the trading split once the new economy settles, letting existing members switch a character to Reignited without a second subscription, and carrying cosmetics and bank space over. None of these is confirmed, and the RuneScape Wiki still listed December 2 as of October 10.
Sources: Nerdly, Jagex: re-evaluating Reignited, RuneScape Wiki, Jagex: MTX items. Checked October 13, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are bonds worth it?
If you want no rules risk, yes; the trade-off is fewer GP per dollar.
Do Old School and RuneScape 3 share rules?
Jagex publishes matching rules for both.
Can Jagex ban me without warning?
Its rules allow muting and bans; the OSRS Wiki notes bans can come without warning.
