No. Payday 2 does use Steam VAC protection. Valve’s anti‑cheat system is not active for this game.
A: No. The tag is a real-time detection flag. Resetting your level does nothing to stop the anti-cheat from scanning your current loadout. Payday 2 How To Know If You Have A Cheater Tag
"The red one," NewGuy_22 chimed in. "It says 'CHEATER' right above your head." Payday 2 How To Know If You Have A Cheater Tag