Affirm scores 4/5 for encryption, 3/5 for privacy, and 3/5 for track record. Overall safety score: 3/5.

What are the privacy concerns with Affirm?

Affirm security review covering data protection, BNPL risks, and privacy. Learn if Affirm is safe for buy now pay later.

Has Affirm been hacked before?

See our detailed analysis of Affirm's past security incidents and track record at The Opt-Out Project.

Is Affirm Safe? Security Review

Name: Is Affirm Safe? Security Review
Item: Affirm
Rating: 3
Author: The Opt-Out Project

Category: Payment App Company: Affirm, Inc. Reviewed February 10, 2026

3/5

Overall Safety Score

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Verdict: Affirm's payment infrastructure is secure, but BNPL services inherently collect extensive financial data. Use it selectively and understand the credit implications.

Affirm is a buy now, pay later (BNPL) platform that offers installment loans at point of sale. It performs soft credit checks and provides transparent interest rates without hidden fees.

Security Ratings Breakdown

Category	Score	Rating
Encryption	4/5
Privacy	3/5
Track Record	3/5

Security Features

Bank-grade encryption for all transactions
Two-factor authentication
No late fees or compounding interest
Soft credit check does not impact credit score
PCI-DSS compliant

Privacy Concerns

Collects detailed purchase history and financial behavior
Soft credit checks still involve sharing data with credit bureaus
Shopping data used for targeted offers
Shares data with merchant partners

Past Security Incidents

No major data breaches disclosed as of 2025
CFPB scrutiny of BNPL industry practices including data harvesting in 2022 report

How to Stay Safe Using Affirm

Only use for planned purchases you can afford
Enable two-factor authentication
Review payment schedules carefully
Monitor your credit report for Affirm-related entries

Safer Alternatives

Klarna (similar BNPL)
PayPal Pay in 4 (PayPal ecosystem)
Traditional credit card (existing credit line)

Last updated: February 10, 2026