Safety Guidelines

At Scoutly, the safety of our community is a top priority. These Safety Guidelines are designed to help Buyers and Scouts have safe, positive, and productive experiences on our platform.

We are committed to maintaining a trustworthy marketplace and expect all users to uphold these standards. Violations of these guidelines may result in warnings, account suspension, or permanent removal from the platform.

What We Currently Verify

• Email address — Verified during account creation
• Phone number — Verified via SMS during account creation

What We Do NOT Verify

It is important to understand the limitations of our current verification process:

• We do NOT verify government-issued identity documents
• We do NOT verify professional credentials, licenses, or certifications
• We do NOT verify a scout’s ability to deliver advertised services
• We do NOT verify business registrations, insurance, or bonding
• We do NOT conduct criminal background checks

Planned Improvements

We are actively developing enhanced identity verification features, including government ID verification, to be released in future updates. Until these features are available, users must exercise their own judgment and due diligence.

Before engaging with a Scout, we strongly recommend the following:

Research Thoroughly

• Check reviews — Look for consistent, positive reviews from multiple users. Be cautious of scouts with no reviews or only very recent ones
• Review profile completeness — A complete profile with detailed business information signals professionalism
• Verify social links — Click through to their LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, or website to confirm they have a legitimate presence
• Check business history — Look for scouts with established track records and consistent service descriptions

Engage Wisely

• Start with smaller engagements — Before committing to large purchases or long-term contracts, test the relationship with a smaller project
• Understand payment expectations — Many industries on Scoutly (telecom, real estate, insurance, automotive, etc.) involve off-platform transactions such as credit checks, contracts, and direct payments. This is normal. Use your judgment and ensure you understand the terms before committing
• Get everything in writing — Document agreements, pricing, timelines, and deliverables before proceeding
• Trust your instincts — If something feels off, take more time to investigate or move on

Building trust on the platform helps you attract more clients and grow your business:

• Complete your profile — Fill in all business details, industry, and description. An incomplete profile raises red flags
• Link your social accounts — Connect your LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, or business website to show transparency
• Respond promptly — Quick, professional responses build confidence and improve your algorithm ranking
• Deliver consistently — Follow through on what you promise in your showcases. Consistent delivery leads to positive reviews
• Build your review history — Encourage satisfied clients to leave honest reviews. Never offer incentives for reviews
• Write accurate showcase descriptions — Clearly describe your services, pricing, and what clients can expect. Avoid exaggeration or vague claims

Be cautious of the following warning signs:

• New accounts with no reviews — While everyone starts somewhere, exercise extra caution with unproven accounts
• Pressure to commit before you’re ready — Legitimate scouts will give you time to make informed decisions and won’t rush you into payments or contracts
• Prices too good to be true — Drastically lower prices than competitors may indicate a scam or inability to deliver quality
• Vague showcase descriptions — Professionals should be able to clearly describe their services, pricing, and process
• Reluctance to share credentials or portfolio — Reputable professionals are typically proud to share their work and qualifications
• Urgency or high-pressure tactics — Be wary of anyone pressuring you to make quick decisions or sign immediately
• Requests for personal financial information — Scouts should never ask for your banking details, SIN/SSN, or other sensitive information
• Inconsistent information — If their profile, social media, and conversations tell different stories, proceed with caution

Phishing Awareness

Scoutly will never ask for your password, credit card details, or sensitive personal information via email or in-app message. Any message claiming to be from Scoutly asking for this information is a scam.

Account Security

• Never share your Scoutly password with anyone
• Use a strong, unique password for your Scoutly account
• Log out of shared devices after use
• Report any suspicious login activity immediately

Suspicious Message Patterns

Be alert to messages that:

• Contain links to external websites for payment
• Ask you to continue the conversation on another platform immediately
• Request personal information (address, financial details) early in the conversation
• Use generic, copy-paste language that doesn’t address your specific needs

Fake Payment Confirmations

Never rely on screenshots or emails as proof of payment. Always verify payments through your own records and official channels. Scammers may send fake payment confirmations to trick you into providing services before actual payment is received.

Each industry has unique considerations for safety and due diligence. Here are tailored tips for Scoutly’s 14 supported industries:

Real Estate

• Verify the agent’s licensing through your provincial/state real estate council or commission
• Check their brokerage affiliation independently
• Never send deposits or earnest money to an individual — use licensed trust accounts

Automotive

• Always obtain a vehicle history report (e.g., Carfax) for used vehicles
• Insist on in-person inspection before purchasing
• Verify dealer licensing through your provincial/state motor vehicle authority

Home Services

• Ask for proof of insurance and bonding before work begins
• Get written estimates with detailed scope of work
• Check if the contractor is licensed through your local municipality or trade association

Financial Services

• Verify the advisor is registered with the appropriate regulatory body (CSA in Canada, SEC/FINRA in the US)
• Check their registration status and any disciplinary history online
• Never give full control of your finances to anyone you met recently

Legal

• Verify the lawyer’s standing through the relevant provincial law society or state bar association
• Ask about their experience in your specific legal area
• Get a clear fee agreement in writing before proceeding

Health & Wellness

• Verify professional certifications and credentials through the relevant regulatory body
• Check if they carry professional liability insurance
• Be cautious of anyone making guaranteed health outcome claims

Technology

• Review their portfolio and past projects carefully
• Ask for references from previous clients
• Ensure clear contracts with defined deliverables, timelines, and IP ownership

Education & Tutoring

• Verify teaching credentials and educational qualifications
• For services involving minors, ask about background checks
• Start with a trial session before committing to long-term packages

Events & Entertainment

• Ask for proof of event insurance or liability coverage
• Check reviews and photos from past events
• Get detailed contracts covering cancellation policies and deliverables

Beauty & Personal Care

• Verify the practitioner is licensed through your provincial/state licensing board
• Ask about health and safety standards they follow
• Check their portfolio for quality and consistency

Pet Services

• Ask about insurance coverage for animals in their care
• Verify any certifications (e.g., grooming, training certifications)
• If possible, visit the facility before leaving your pet

Marketing & Creative

• Review their portfolio thoroughly
• Ask for references from past clients
• Ensure clear agreements on deliverables, revisions, and ownership of creative work

Consulting

• Verify industry certifications and professional memberships
• Ask about their track record and measurable outcomes from past engagements
• Start with a defined project scope before committing to ongoing retainers

Other

• Apply general due diligence principles: research the person, verify credentials, check reviews
• Start with smaller engagements to build trust
• Get everything in writing before proceeding

How to Report

• In-app reporting — Use the report feature on any user profile, showcase, or message to flag suspicious content or behavior
• Email — Contact us at safety@scoutlyhq.com with details of the incident

What Happens After a Report

1. Our team reviews all reports promptly
2. We investigate the reported user or content
3. Based on the investigation, potential outcomes include:
   • A warning to the reported user
   • Content removal
   • Temporary account suspension
   • Permanent account ban
4. We may follow up with the reporter to provide an update (where appropriate and without disclosing private information about the other party)

It is important to understand what Scoutly is and is not:

• We provide the platform — Scoutly is a marketplace that connects Buyers with Scouts. We do not provide the services listed by Scouts
• We cannot guarantee outcomes — We cannot guarantee the quality, timeliness, or success of any service delivered by a Scout
• We are not a party to transactions — Any agreements, contracts, or payments for services are between the Buyer and the Scout directly
• We recommend but cannot enforce due diligence — We strongly encourage all users to research scouts thoroughly, but ultimately, the responsibility for vetting a service provider rests with the user

It is normal and expected for Scouts and Buyers to exchange contact information (email, phone number) to continue conversations and conclude business off-platform. By choosing to engage with a Scout through their offers and showcases, you are making an informed decision to explore their services further.

• Use the platform to start your research — Review a Scout’s profile, showcases, reviews, and social links before reaching out
• Sharing contact information is normal — Scouts may collect your email or phone number to provide quotes, offers, or follow-up information — this is standard business practice
• Protect sensitive personal information — While sharing contact info is expected, be cautious about sharing financial details, government ID numbers (SIN/SSN), or banking information until you’ve fully vetted the Scout and understand the service
• Document agreements in writing — Before committing to any service, get clear written confirmation of what will be delivered, the timeline, and the total cost
• Save your records — Keep copies of all conversations, emails, and agreements for your protection

Many services on Scoutly involve off-platform transactions — this is normal for industries like telecom, real estate, insurance, and automotive, which often require credit checks, contracts, and direct payments. However, you should still exercise caution:

• Understand what you’re agreeing to — Before committing to any offer or service, make sure you fully understand the terms, pricing, and obligations
• Never send gift cards as payment — This is a common scam tactic. No legitimate professional will ask for payment via gift cards
• Be cautious with unusual payment requests — If a scout asks for cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or other unconventional payment methods, take extra time to verify their legitimacy
• Keep payment records — Save all receipts, contracts, and transaction confirmations for your records
• Understand refund policies — Clarify the refund or cancellation terms with the scout before committing to any service

If you believe you have been the victim of fraud or a scam, contact the appropriate authorities:

Canada

• Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre — antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca — 1-888-495-8501
• Better Business Bureau (Canada) — bbb.org
• Provincial consumer protection agencies — Contact your province’s consumer affairs office
• Local law enforcement — File a police report for criminal activity

United States

• Federal Trade Commission (FTC) — reportfraud.ftc.gov
• Better Business Bureau (US) — bbb.org
• State consumer protection offices — Contact your state’s attorney general consumer protection division
• Local law enforcement — File a police report for criminal activity

You can also report safety concerns directly to Scoutly at safety@scoutlyhq.com.

We may update these Safety Guidelines from time to time as our platform evolves and as we learn from our community. When we make changes, the updated guidelines will be published on the Platform with a revised effective date.

We encourage you to review these guidelines periodically to stay informed about how to stay safe on Scoutly. The most current version is always available at scoutlyhq.com/safety.

Questions or suggestions about these guidelines? Contact us at safety@scoutlyhq.com.