Stay Safe on Poga Apartments

At Poga, your safety is our top priority. We've built multiple layers of protection into the platform so you can search, apply, and rent with confidence.

Every landlord and agent who collects rent 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 rental models designed to protect you: Facilitated Rentals, where Poga mediates every step between you and the landlord, and Direct Rentals, where you deal directly with a KYC-verified owner with contracts signed on our platform for your protection.

The listing price is significantly below market rate for the area. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.

The landlord or agent refuses to let you tour the property in person or via virtual tour before committing.

You're asked to send money before signing a lease — legitimate landlords will never ask for rent or deposits before you have a signed agreement.

The landlord pressures you to act immediately, claiming other applicants are about to take the unit. Take your time to verify everything.

You're asked to communicate or pay outside the platform — through personal WhatsApp, Cash App, 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 landlord claims to be overseas and cannot meet you or show the property. While remote landlords exist, this is a common scam tactic.

Look for the 'Verified' badge on listings and user profiles. Verified users have completed our KYC process, which includes government ID verification.

Verified landlords 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 leases.

If you're a landlord or agent, get verified through your account settings. Verification builds trust with potential renters and gives your listings higher visibility.

With Facilitated Rentals, Poga acts as the middleman between you and the landlord. We handle the entire rental 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 rent payments go through Poga's secure payment system. We collect from you and pay the landlord, so your banking details are never shared directly.

Lease documents are prepared and signed on our platform. Both parties have a verified, legally binding record of the agreement.

If any issues arise during your tenancy, Poga steps in to mediate. We ensure both parties fulfill their obligations under the lease.

With Direct Rentals, 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 for rent if the landlord has it enabled, keeping your financial information protected.

Important: With Direct Rentals, Poga is not liable for disputes between you and the landlord. For maximum protection, choose Facilitated Rentals.

Always pay through Poga's official payment system. Never send money via wire transfer, Western Union, Cash App, 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 your landlord never sees your banking information.

Be suspicious if a landlord 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 rent or deposits before signing a lease. A legitimate landlord will always formalize the rental agreement before collecting money.

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.

Always tour a property before signing a lease — either in person or via virtual tour. Never commit to a rental you haven't seen.

Research the neighborhood: visit at different times of day, check noise levels, and look for nearby amenities like grocery stores, transit, and parks.

Read your lease agreement carefully before signing. Understand the terms for rent, deposits, maintenance, early termination, and renewal.

Document the condition of the unit before moving in. Take photos and videos of every room, noting any existing damage. Share these with your landlord 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, a landlord, or a deal, step back and verify before proceeding.