Is Afterpay Safe? Security Review
3/5
Overall Safety Score
★
★
★
★
★
Verdict: Afterpay is reasonably safe with standard encryption and no interest charges. Being owned by Block brings corporate stability but also broader data sharing within the Block ecosystem.
Afterpay is a buy now, pay later service now owned by Block (formerly Square). It splits purchases into four interest-free installments and is popular among younger consumers.
Security Ratings Breakdown
| Category | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Encryption | 4/5 | |
| Privacy | 3/5 | |
| Track Record | 4/5 |
Security Features
- Fraud detection and prevention systems
- PCI-DSS compliant payment processing
- Two-factor authentication
- No interest or hidden fees (late fees only)
- Order dispute resolution process
Privacy Concerns
- Purchase data shared within the Block/Square ecosystem
- Shopping behavior tracked for merchant analytics
- Marketing based on purchase patterns
- Data retained even after account closure
Past Security Incidents
- No major data breaches of Afterpay specifically as of 2025
- Parent company Block disclosed the 2022 Cash App Investing breach, which did not affect Afterpay
How to Stay Safe Using Afterpay
- Only use for purchases you have budgeted for
- Enable two-factor authentication
- Review Afterpay's data sharing settings
- Monitor payment schedules to avoid late fees
Safer Alternatives
- Klarna (wider global availability)
- Affirm (longer payment terms available)
- Sezzle (similar four-payment model)
Last updated: February 10, 2026