Stay Safe on Poga Apartments
Your safety is our priority. Learn how we protect you, what to watch out for, and how to report suspicious activity.
How We Keep You Safe
At Poga, your safety is our top priority. We've built multiple layers of protection into the platform so you can search, apply, and transact with confidence.
Every property owner and agent who collects payments through Poga undergoes KYC (Know Your Customer) verification. We verify their government-issued ID and take responsibility for the accuracy of our profiling process.
We offer two transaction models designed to protect you: Facilitated, where Poga mediates every step between you and the property owner, and Direct, where you deal directly with a KYC-verified owner with contracts signed on our platform for your protection.
Red Flags to Watch For
The listing price is significantly below market rate for the area. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.
The owner or agent refuses to let you visit or tour the property in person or via virtual tour before committing.
You're asked to send money before signing an agreement — legitimate property owners will never ask for payments or deposits before you have a signed contract.
The owner pressures you to act immediately, claiming other buyers or applicants are about to take the property. Take your time to verify everything.
You're asked to communicate or pay outside the platform — through personal WhatsApp, wire transfer, or mobile money to a personal number.
The listing photos look too perfect or don't match the described location. Reverse image search can help verify authenticity.
The owner claims to be overseas and cannot meet you or show the property. While remote owners exist, this is a common scam tactic.
Verified vs Unverified Users
Look for the 'Verified' badge on listings and user profiles. Verified users have completed our KYC process, which includes government ID verification.
Verified owners and agents have had their identity confirmed by Poga. We stand behind our verification — if a verified user is wrongfully profiled, we take liability.
Unverified users can still post listings, but we strongly recommend prioritizing listings from verified users, especially when making financial commitments like paying deposits or signing agreements.
If you're a property owner or agent, get verified through your account settings. Verification builds trust with potential buyers and gives your listings higher visibility.
Facilitated Transactions: Maximum Protection
With Facilitated transactions, Poga acts as the middleman between you and the property owner. We handle the entire process from start to finish.
We coordinate property viewings — either in-person tours or virtual tours — so you can inspect the property before committing.
All payments go through Poga's secure payment system. We collect from you and pay the owner, so your banking details are never shared directly.
Documents are prepared and signed on our platform. Both parties have a verified, legally binding record of the agreement.
If any issues arise during the transaction, Poga steps in to mediate. We ensure both parties fulfill their obligations under the agreement.
Direct Transactions: Verified and Protected
With Direct transactions, you deal directly with a KYC-verified property owner. While Poga doesn't mediate the day-to-day, we still provide important protections.
The owner has been KYC-verified by Poga — their identity has been confirmed through our verification process.
Contracts are signed on the Poga platform, giving both parties a verified, tamper-proof record of the agreement.
You can still use our secure payment system if the owner has it enabled, keeping your financial information protected.
Important: With Direct transactions, Poga is not liable for disputes between you and the property owner. For maximum protection, choose Facilitated transactions.
Payment Safety
Always pay through Poga's official payment system. Never send money via wire transfer, Western Union, mobile money to personal numbers, or any other informal method.
Poga's payment system processes all transactions securely. We never store your full card or bank account details, and the property owner never sees your banking information.
Be suspicious if someone asks you to pay outside the platform, even if they claim it's for 'convenience' or to 'avoid fees'. This is a major red flag.
Keep records of all payments. Your complete payment history is available in your account dashboard for reference and disputes.
Never pay deposits before signing an agreement. A legitimate property owner will always formalize the terms before collecting money.
How to Report Suspicious Activity
If you encounter a suspicious listing, click the 'Report' button on the listing detail page. Select the reason for your report and provide as much detail as possible.
You can also report suspicious users by visiting their profile and using the report function.
For urgent safety concerns, email us directly at info@poga.app with 'URGENT' in the subject line. Include screenshots and any relevant details.
All reports are reviewed by our trust and safety team. We investigate every report and take action, which may include removing listings, suspending accounts, and cooperating with law enforcement.
Your reports help keep the platform safe for everyone. We treat every report seriously and follow up as needed.
General Safety Tips
Always visit or tour a property before committing — either in person or via virtual tour. Never commit to a property you haven't seen.
Research the area: visit at different times of day, check the surroundings, and look for nearby amenities like grocery stores, transit, and parks.
Read your agreement carefully before signing. Understand the terms for payments, deposits, responsibilities, early termination, and renewal.
Document the condition of the property before finalizing. Take photos and videos, noting any existing issues. Share these with the owner in writing.
Keep all communication on the Poga platform when possible. This creates a record that can help resolve disputes.
Trust your instincts. If something feels off about a listing, an owner, or a deal, step back and verify before proceeding.
Need more help?
If you've encountered suspicious activity, let us know right away.