Why and How to Report Abusive Listings on HomeExchange

At HomeExchange, our mission is simple: to connect people around the world who want to exchange homes and make these exchanges as seamless and enjoyable as possible.

But beyond being a platform, HomeExchange is a community—and as members of this community, we all play a part in keeping it safe and welcoming for everyone. A big way to contribute is by reporting any abusive or suspicious activity you come across.

What counts as abuse?

Abuse can take many forms, but here are a few examples:

  • Someone tries to rent their home to you instead of exchanging it.
  • A member asks for a security deposit via transfer
  • Someone behaves strangely or makes you feel uncomfortable during interactions.

How to report abuse (even if you’re unsure!)

If you ever suspect abuse—or even if you’re just unsure—don’t hesitate to let us know. Here’s how you can report it:

  1. From your conversation with the member
    In the upper-right corner of your message thread, click the three little dots and select “Report abuse” from the dropdown menu.

  2. From the member’s listing
    On their listing page, look to the right side of the screen under their profile photo, and you’ll see the “Report abuse” option.

  3. From the member’s profile
    If you’re on their profile page, the “Report abuse” button is in the upper-right corner of the screen.

Once you click “Report abuse,” a pop-up window will appear where you can specify what happened. You can also leave us a message with additional details. The goal? To keep building a community rooted in trust and respect.

What happens after you report abuse?

Here’s what our team does once we receive your report:

  1. We acknowledge it: You’ll get a confirmation letting you know we’ve received your report.
  2. We investigate: Our team will look into the matter, reviewing communications, profiles, and any other relevant details.
  3. We follow up: If needed, we might reach out to you for more information or to share the results of our investigation.
  4. We take action: Depending on what we find, we’ll take the appropriate steps, which could include warnings, suspensions, or even permanently removing the offending member from the platform.

In conclusion

To keep our amazing HomeExchange community safe and enjoyable for everyone, we all have a part to play. So, even if you’re unsure, don’t hesitate to report profiles, listings, or behaviors that don’t align with our values. Your actions help make HomeExchange the trusted and wonderful community that it is!

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