Safety guidelines

Before you visit a place

• Keep conversations and details where you can refer back to them.
• Ask questions up front: price, inclusions, deposit terms, and house rules.
• Be cautious of deals that seem far too cheap, or owners who rush you.
• Never send a deposit or “reservation fee” before you've verified the place and the person.

When you meet in person

• Visit during daylight and bring a friend or family member.
• Tell someone where you're going and when you expect to be back.
• Meet at the actual property, not an unrelated location.
• Trust your instincts — if something feels off, leave.

Protect your money

• Aliplaces never collects rent, deposits, or reservation fees and holds no money in escrow — anyone claiming Aliplaces will “hold” your payment is a scammer. (An owner you already rent from may send you their own PayMongo payment link from their Studio; that money goes to the owner, and only ever pay one after you've verified the place and the person.)
• Avoid irreversible transfers to people you haven't met or places you haven't seen.
• Get receipts and written terms for any deposit or agreement.

Protect your information

• Share only what's necessary to arrange a viewing. Hold back IDs, bank details, and sensitive documents until you're confident.
• Be wary of links sent by strangers asking you to “verify” an account.

Spotting scams

Common warning signs include:

• Pressure to pay immediately to “hold” a place.
• Refusal to let you view the property in person.
• Photos that look generic, stolen, or inconsistent with the listing.
• Requests to move off-platform immediately and pay before viewing.

Report a problem

If a listing or person seems unsafe or fraudulent, please report it or email safety@aliplaces.com. Your reports help protect the whole community.