New to this platform and am trying to set up an exchange using guest points. I have had an owner respond but I noticed that this person just joined today, has a verified email address but nothing else as far as ID or address verification, wants to me to pay the cleaning fee today although the exchange won’t be until the end of May and when I looked at paying through paypal the payment converts to the Philippine peso. Are these huge red flags or I am I being paranoid? Thanks for any insight!
Hello and welcome to HE. You are right to be cautious, it might be a scam. As written on the site everywhere, NEVER pay a fee in advance. See FAQ : https://help.homeexchange.com/hc/en-us/articles/360009466098-Can-hosts-ask-for-extra-fees
And please report this member so the staff can explain him the rules.
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Thank you. I had also contacted Home Exchange and that listing has been blocked.
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Welcome ST1963
Sorry it happens to you.
You did well. It was a scam.
As far as i am concerned, i never pay cleaning fees.
So this type of scam cannot work with me.
Welcome to forum @ST1963 !
Definitely red flags - you did well 
Personally, I prefer exchange partners that don’t charge fees like that, but regardless it shouldn’t be paid upfront like that.
So sorry you started out like that. On the positive side, you have sound instincts, and that bodes well to avoid such going forward.
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Yes - as the others have said this is indeed a red flag, so thank you for following it up and reporting this member.