Staying safe when hiring someone through an online marketplace

Protect information before assignment

Public task content should describe the job without exposing a precise home address, personal phone number, email, identity document, bank information, password or one-time code. Use a city or locality until the platform gives authorised participants a private channel.

For remote work, create the least-privileged account or access level needed. Do not share a primary password when a collaborator role, temporary link or restricted folder can do the job.

• Remove contact and payment details from public text.
• Share only the minimum files needed.
• Use temporary or role-based access where possible.

Keep the agreement and communication together

Public questions help everyone price the same facts. After assignment, keep operational messages, evidence and approvals in the authorised marketplace conversation. Requests to move immediately to another channel or payment method deserve extra caution.

Never send card details, a banking password, an OTP or remote-device control access through chat. A legitimate professional does not need those details to complete ordinary marketplace work.

Plan for in-person work

Tell another adult when a new person is expected, secure valuables and documents, and arrange access only for the work area. For higher-risk work, confirm any legally required licence or insurance directly with the issuing source.

Stop the task if the situation becomes materially different from the agreed scope or feels unsafe. For immediate danger, leave the area and contact local emergency services; a marketplace support queue is not an emergency service.

• Confirm arrival details through the task record.
• Limit access to relevant areas.
• Keep children, pets and valuables appropriately secured.
• Know how to stop or report the task.

Preserve evidence and report accurately

If something goes wrong, preserve the task brief, accepted offer, messages, receipts and relevant photos. Describe what happened factually, without publishing another person’s private data or making retaliatory claims.

A review can help future users, but urgent safety, fraud or payment concerns should use the dedicated report or support route so the platform can retain context and take controlled action.