Trust & Safety at Snestico
Finding a home and a roommate means trusting strangers. Here is what Snestico does to make that safer, and what we ask of you.
Rental scams and bad roommate experiences usually follow the same patterns: a price that looks too good, pressure to pay before seeing the place, a stranger who wants your number straight away. Snestico is built to put those patterns in front of you before they cost you anything. This page lists every safeguard in the product today, and the habits we recommend on top of them.
Verified profiles
Members can verify their identity by uploading a photo ID, a student ID, proof of address or an employment letter. Our team reviews each request by hand, and approved members show a Verified badge on their profile. Verification is optional, so the badge tells you who has taken the extra step.
Private in-app messaging
Conversations with potential roommates and marketplace sellers happen inside Snestico. You don't need to share a phone number or email to start talking, and you decide if and when to move the conversation elsewhere.
Red flags on every listing
Snestico checks each listing card for the signs that most often come with rental scams, and says so on the card:
- Priced far below similar homes in the same search: never pay before seeing it in person
- Mentions a payment method common in scams, such as wire transfers, gift cards or a deposit before viewing
- Listed more than 30 days ago and may no longer be available
- No verified link to the exact listing
Contacts for members only
The leasing office or agent's phone number and email for a listing are shown to signed-in members only. That keeps listing contacts from being scraped in bulk and ties every contact request to an account.
Reporting and moderation
You can report a user, a listing, a community post or a marketplace item from the report page or from the item itself. Reports go to our team for review.
Safety habits we recommend
No platform can vouch for every stranger. These habits close most of the gaps:
- Video-call a potential roommate or landlord before meeting
- Meet for the first time somewhere public, and tell a friend where you'll be
- Never pay a deposit or rent before you've seen the place and the lease
- Never pay by wire transfer, gift card or cryptocurrency
- Check that the person you're dealing with is the owner or the property's real manager
- Agree house rules (guests, chores, quiet hours, bills) in writing before moving in
Common questions
Is there a safe way to find compatible roommates online without using Facebook groups?
On Snestico, roommate profiles can be verified with ID, conversations stay in the app, matches explain what you agree on and flag dealbreakers, and any user can be reported. Pair that with a video call and a first meeting in public.
How can I reduce the risk of getting scammed when looking for apartments or roommates?
Be wary of prices far below similar homes, never pay before seeing the place and the lease, never pay by wire transfer or gift card, and keep early conversations in the app. Snestico flags listings that show these warning signs.
Can I chat with roommates or sellers without giving out my phone number?
Yes. Messages with roommates and marketplace sellers stay in Snestico, and you choose if and when to share your number. Listings from real estate sites are contacted through the leasing office or agent's own phone or email, shown to signed-in members.
Can I report suspicious listings or users?
Yes. Report a user, listing, post or marketplace item from the report page or from the item itself, and our team reviews it.