Safety and Trust: How SangoServices Protects Workers and Employers

When you hire a stranger to work at your home — or when you go to work at a stranger's home — the question of trust is central. How do you know if this person is reliable? How can you be sure you'll get paid? What if something goes wrong?

No platform can guarantee that a person is honest. What SangoServices does is give you verified signals on every profile. The rest comes down to good habits, which we cover here.

Every worker registered on SangoServices has verified their phone number by SMS. This is the baseline:

• A real phone number
• A verification code received by SMS on that number
• A number that really belongs to the person on the profile

It's not perfect, but it's already better than anonymous classifieds: the number you see is the one the worker actually uses.

On top of the phone number, every worker can have their identity checked:

1. They send a photo of their ID document and a selfie
2. The SangoServices team checks the document and compares it with the selfie
3. The profile shows the "ID verified" badge

This verification is optional. For sensitive trades — babysitting, elderly care, security, teaching — favor profiles that carry this badge, and ask to see the ID document when you meet anyway.

One of the most common sources of conflict in the informal economy is pricing. "We agreed on 5,000 FCFA" — "No, I said 3,000."

On SangoServices, every worker shows a minimum rate on their profile: you know right away if they fit your budget. The final amount is agreed between you depending on the work. Write it in a WhatsApp message before starting — work, hours, amount — and you'll have a record if you disagree later.

The employer pays the worker directly, in cash or via Mobile Money. SangoServices does not hold the money, does not guarantee payment and takes no commission: that's why the written agreement matters.

For jobs worth 10,000 FCFA or more, both parties can agree on a Mobile Money deposit. Put these terms in writing before starting and keep the confirmation SMS: it protects the worker against non-payment and the employer against work not performed.

SangoServices does not show reviews or ratings yet. What profiles show are facts:

• Confirmed hires — when an employer confirms they hired a worker, the hire is added to the worker's profile
• Verification — SMS-verified number for everyone, "ID verified" badge for those who had their ID checked

For the rest, do what you'd do with word of mouth, only better: ask the worker for the contact of one or two previous employers and call them.

Despite all precautions, problems can occur. If you come across a fake profile, suspicious behaviour, harassment or a scam attempt:

• Email contact@sangoservices.com with a description and, if possible, screenshots
• The SangoServices team reviews each report
• It can suspend the offending account

SangoServices is not a party to the agreement between employer and worker: in case of theft, violence or danger, also contact the police. All our contact details are on the support page.

SangoServices doesn't ask for blind trust. A few simple habits do most of the work:

• Meet the person before starting, preferably in daylight and with someone you know present
• Check their ID and compare it with the profile
• Start with a trial — one day or a small job — before any regular commitment
• Pay via Mobile Money and keep every confirmation SMS

For workers, the same rules apply: tell someone close where you're going to work, and don't start without a clear agreement on the amount.

Ready to start? Browse the profiles or create your free profile on SangoServices.