Squarelly is built with multiple layers of protection designed to detect, deter, and respond to fraudulent activity on the platform. Here's how we approach it — and what you can do to stay protected.
How Squarelly Prevents Fraud
Mandatory identity verification Every user — renter and landlord alike — must complete KYC identity verification before they can list a property or initiate contact. Anonymous accounts cannot operate on Squarelly. This single measure eliminates the vast majority of fake listings and fraudulent enquiries common on open platforms.
AI listing quality analysis The AI Listing Manager analyses every listing for consistency and completeness. Listings with suspicious patterns, contradictory information, or significant data gaps are flagged for review before they go live.
Verified badge system Verification status is visible on every profile. Renters and landlords can see immediately whether the person they're dealing with has been verified — and can factor that into their decision to proceed.
Fee-gated contact The 2% contact fee is not just a revenue model — it's a fraud deterrent. The requirement to pay in order to initiate contact eliminates throwaway enquiries and makes it significantly harder to run volume-based scam operations on the platform.
Abuse reporting Both renters and landlords can report suspicious behaviour directly from any chat or listing. Reports are reviewed by the Squarelly team and acted upon promptly. Accounts confirmed as fraudulent are permanently removed.
Common Rental Scams to Be Aware Of
Even with platform protections in place, it's important to recognise the signs of fraudulent activity:
- Listings that seem too good to be true — Unusually low rent for the area, overly vague descriptions, or a suspiciously limited number of photos
- Pressure to act quickly — Legitimate landlords do not pressure renters into making fast decisions without proper viewings or documentation
- Requests to communicate outside the platform — Attempts to quickly move conversation to personal email, WhatsApp, or other channels before a relationship is established
- Requests for payment before any agreement is in place — Squarelly does not process rent or deposits; any request for financial transfer through an external link or unfamiliar method should be treated as a serious red flag
- Identity inconsistencies — If the person you're communicating with does not match the verified profile — in a video call, an in-person viewing, or through inconsistent details — trust your instincts and report it
What to Do If You Suspect Fraud
If something feels wrong at any point:
- Do not transfer any money outside of the Squarelly platform's standard payment flow
- Do not share personal documents unless you are in an advanced, documented stage of a tenancy agreement
- Report the listing or user using the Report option on the listing page or within the chat
- Contact Squarelly support via our support form with as much detail as possible
- If you believe you have been the victim of fraud, contact your local authorities and, if a payment was made, your bank or card issuer immediately
Squarelly takes every fraud report seriously. Your report not only helps resolve your situation — it protects every other user on the platform.