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Safety First
Protect Yourself When Searching for a Room or Roommate
Matezer is designed to create a safe, transparent, scam-free environment. Please follow these guidelines every time you connect with a new roommate or host, on Matezer or outside the app.
NEVER send money before:
- Visiting the place in person OR doing a live video tour
If a host refuses a video tour, it's a 100% red flag. - Signing a real lease or sublease agreement
CashApp, Venmo, PayPal, Zelle deposits = never legitimate without paperwork. - Verifying the identity of the person
Always ask for:- ✔First & last name
- ✔Phone number
- ✔Social handles
- ✔Proof they actually live in or lease the unit
🧩 Matezer Recommended Verification Steps
When you match with someone, ask for:
- ●A short video of them walking through the unit
- ●A photo of the building entrance number
- ●A screenshot showing the person's name on the ConEd / WiFi bill (they can crop the address)
Legit posters never get offended. Scammers do.
🚫 NEVER trust:
- ●“I'm out of the country right now but I can mail the keys”
- ●“My cousin/agent/assistant will show you the apartment”
- ●“Just send a deposit to secure the room, very high demand”
- ●Listings that are way below the NYC market price
- ●People who avoid video calls
- ●Blurry pictures, no window photos, no building exterior
🟢 ALWAYS ask these questions:
- “Who is on the current lease?”
- “Is this a sublease, room-in-apartment, or lease takeover?”
- “How long have you lived here?”
- “When can I see the room in person or via video?”
- “Are utilities included?”
- “How many roommates live here?”
- “Any move-in fees?”