Privacy & Safety: What Every Closeby User Should Know

At Closeby, we believe community connections should never come at the cost of your safety or privacy. Here’s everything you need to know about staying secure while using our platform.

How Closeby Protects You

Your Address Stays Hidden

We never share your exact location with other users. When someone searches for services in their area, they see only your general neighborhood—not your street address.

You control when and how to share specific location details, and only after you’ve established trust with the other person.

Verified Users Only

Every Closeby user goes through our verification process:

• Identity verification — We confirm you are who you say you are
• Phone number verification — Adds an extra layer of accountability
• Community guidelines agreement — All users commit to respectful behavior

Secure Messaging

All conversations happen within Closeby’s secure messaging system:

• End-to-end encryption for your messages
• No personal phone numbers shared until you choose to
• Report and block features readily available

Best Practices for Users

For Service Seekers

Before booking:

• Read reviews carefully—look for patterns
• Start with a message to gauge responsiveness
• Trust your instincts—if something feels off, it probably is

During service:

• For in-home services, consider having someone else present for the first visit
• Keep communication within the Closeby app for documentation
• Pay through the platform when possible

For Service Providers

Protecting yourself:

• Meet new clients in public spaces when possible for initial consultations
• Let someone know where you’ll be and when
• Trust your gut—you can decline any job that doesn’t feel right

Building trust:

• Be responsive and professional in communications
• Arrive on time and communicate any delays
• Follow through on what you promise

Red Flags to Watch For

Be cautious if someone:

• Pressures you to communicate outside the app immediately
• Asks for personal financial information
• Offers payment arrangements that seem unusual
• Has no reviews or a very new profile with unrealistic offerings
• Makes you feel uncomfortable in any way

Reporting Concerns

If you encounter problematic behavior, report it immediately:

1. Use the report button on any profile or message
2. Our Trust & Safety team reviews reports within 24 hours
3. We take swift action against policy violations

Your reports help keep the entire community safe.

Privacy Settings

Take control of your privacy in Settings:

• Profile visibility — Control who can see your full profile
• Search radius — Limit who can find you based on distance
• Contact preferences — Set how others can reach you
• Notification controls — Manage what alerts you receive

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Questions about privacy or safety? Contact our Trust & Safety team anytime. We’re here to help.