Trust, Reputation, and Fraud Prevention: How Zaruni Keeps You Safe
An in-depth look at Zaruni's security framework, from reputation scores and verification badges to locked transaction ledger protection.
Peer-to-peer marketplaces and local gig economies have traditionally suffered from a lack of trust. Scammers use fake accounts, deliver counterfeit goods, or accept off-platform payments and disappear. Honest buyers and service providers are left without protection, while small businesses lose revenue to fraud.
Zaruni is built from the ground up to solve this fundamental problem. We believe that local transactions can be fast, convenient, and 100% safe. To achieve this, we developed a multi-layered security framework that combines verified identities, dynamic trust scores, and automated transaction lock states.
Here is how Zaruni’s security system works to protect you and prevent fraud.
1. Verified Badges: Knowing Who You Deal With
In anonymous online forums, anyone can pretend to be a seller or a buyer. On Zaruni, we require distinct levels of verification based on user roles.
- Verified User: Requires linking a valid phone number and completing device verification.
- Verified Seller & Provider: Requires government-issued ID verification (KYC), physical address confirmation, and checking business registrations where applicable.
- Verified Rider: Requires background checks, valid driving licenses, and vehicle ownership verification.
By checking for these badges on profiles, you can immediately distinguish between verified local participants and unverified accounts.
2. Dynamic Trust and Reputation Scores
Zaruni calculates a Reputation Score for every active buyer, seller, and service provider on the platform. This score is updated in real-time based on actual transaction history and behavior.
How Trust Scores Are Calculated:
- Order Completion Rate: Sellers and riders who cancel orders last minute see a decrease in their score.
- Review History: Ratings left by verified customers directly impact the score. Text reviews are analyzed by our system to detect quality flags.
- Dispute Frequency: Accounts that frequently trigger payment disputes or are found at fault in arbitrations will have their trust score reduced.
- Response Time: Quick communication in chat positively influences the profile score.
A high trust score makes your listings more visible, unlocks lower platform fees, and attracts more customers. A low trust score can lead to temporary account suspension or additional transaction verification requirements.
3. Transaction Lock Protection: The Core Safeguard
The most effective way to eliminate fraud is to remove the motive. By using Transaction Lock Protection, we ensure that transaction states are locked until delivery, preventing sellers from receiving funds before dispatch, and ensuring sellers are settled once the product or service is accepted.
- The Buyer pays via their Zaruni Ledger Balance: Funds are secured in a transaction lock by our licensed payment partners, proving the buyer’s commitment.
- The Seller dispatches/works: Secured by the knowledge that the payment is already captured.
- Verification on Delivery: The transaction lock is settled and funds are released to the seller after a physical inspection and a verified QR code scan.
[!WARNING] If a seller or provider asks you to pay them directly via external channels (cash, direct mobile transfer, or external banking links) before handoff, do not do it. Doing so bypasses Zaruni’s transaction lock safety nets. We cannot recover or dispute transactions made outside of our system.
4. In-App Communication: Keep it on Zaruni
Scammers will often try to move you off the Zaruni app to other messaging apps (like WhatsApp or Telegram). They do this because they want to delete their messages or hide their activity from our security reviews.
Why You Must Keep Chats in the App:
- Secure Record: All agreement details, pickup times, and price changes are logged securely.
- Dispute Evidence: In case of a dispute, our moderation team reviews the in-app chat log to determine the agreed terms. We cannot accept screenshots of external chat apps as official evidence.
- Automatic Threat Detection: Our in-app chat uses automated filters to detect and flag suspicious links, phishing attempts, and sharing of personal details before a transaction is secured.
5. Reporting Suspicious Activity
If you encounter a user who is behaving suspiciously or trying to bypass our security features:
- Open the user’s profile or chat thread.
- Tap the Options (three dots) menu in the top right corner.
- Tap Report User.
- Select the reason (e.g., “Attempting offline payment”, “Misleading listing”, or “Harassment”) and provide a short description.
Our Trust & Safety team reviews all reports within 24 hours and takes immediate action, including banning fraudulent accounts and protecting active transactions.
Together, we can build a trusted, safe, and thriving local economy. Thank you for using Zaruni!
