A few simple habits go a long way in keeping your Locvia experience safe. These are the same guidelines you'll find inside the app.
Choose a busy, well-lit spot like a market or mall to exchange items — never your home address on a first meeting.
Always check the item in person and confirm it matches the listing before handing over any money.
Locvia will never ask you to share your OTP with another user. Anyone who asks for it is likely trying to scam you.
Be cautious of sellers who ask for full or partial payment before you've seen or received the item.
If something feels off, use the Report option on their profile, listing, or chat right away.
You can block anyone who makes you uncomfortable — they won't be able to contact you again.
Keep conversations within the app whenever possible — it keeps your phone number private and creates a record if you ever need to report an issue.
Please note: Locvia is not able to verify the identity or intentions of every user. Please use your own judgement, especially when meeting someone for the first time.
Phone verification. Every account is verified with a one-time password sent to a real phone number, which makes throwaway accounts harder to create.
Your number stays private. All communication happens through in-app chat. Locvia never displays your phone number to another user.
Trust Score. Completed deals build a visible reputation, so you can see whether someone has a track record before dealing with them.
Reporting and blocking. Listings, chats and profiles can all be reported. Reports are reviewed and acted on under our Report & Enforcement Policy.
No in-app payments. Locvia does not process payments. There is no reason to pay anyone in advance through the app.
Be cautious of anyone who requests payment before an in-person meeting, pressures you to act urgently, offers a price far below market value without explanation, pushes you to move the conversation off Locvia immediately, or asks for banking details or your OTP under any pretext.
More detail is available in our Marketplace Policy.
Local Services often involve someone coming to your home. A few extra habits keep those visits safe:
Confirm the provider's identity — Before letting anyone in, check that their name matches their Locvia profile you were chatting with.
Have someone else present — Especially for first-time bookings, it helps to have a family member or neighbour around during the visit.
Agree on price before work starts — Confirm the quoted price before the provider begins. If the job turns out bigger, they should request a price change in-app — you decide whether to approve it.
Avoid paying in full upfront — Where practical, pay after the work is completed and you're satisfied with it, rather than in advance.
Keep valuables secured — As a general precaution during any home visit, keep cash, jewellery, and important documents out of sight.
Use the Report option available on any listing, chat, or profile inside the app. For anything not covered by in-app reporting, email hello.locvia@gmail.com.
If there is any risk to personal safety, contact local law enforcement first. Do not attempt to resolve serious violations directly with the other user.
For general questions about how the app works, see our Help & FAQ.