Safety & Trust

🔒 Escrow Protection

Every transaction on Akatare is protected by escrow — a system that holds the buyer's payment in a secure account until the order is confirmed as delivered and accepted.

• For buyers: Your funds are only released to the seller after you confirm receipt — giving you leverage if the product doesn't match the agreement.
• For sellers: You're guaranteed payment once you fulfill the order and the buyer confirms (or after the auto‑confirmation window). No chargeback risk.
• Escrow is managed by Akatare in partnership with licensed payment processors — funds are never held by the seller or buyer before delivery.

See our Terms of Service for full escrow details.

✅ Seller Verification & Badges

We use a tiered trust system so you can quickly assess a seller's credibility:

• Regular – basic account, no identity verification.
• Verified – the seller has completed identity and/or business verification. This includes ID checks and sometimes location validation.
• Premium – includes Verified status plus enhanced visibility, AI boosts, and priority support.

Remember: Verification builds trust, but it's not a guarantee of product quality or fulfillment. Always check recent ratings and chat history as well.

Learn more about becoming Verified or Premium in our Pricing Plans.

⚖️ Dispute Resolution Process

If something goes wrong, follow these steps:

1. Don't confirm receipt – if the order is not as agreed, mark it as "not received" or "issue" in the app immediately.
2. Open a dispute through the order page. Include: order ID, photos, chat screenshots, and a clear description of the problem.
3. Akatare reviews – our team will assess the evidence and decide on the escrow release. This usually takes 1‑3 business days.
4. Resolution – if the buyer is found to be correct, funds are returned. If the seller is correct, funds are released to them.

Need to open a dispute? Visit your Orders page or contact sales@akatare.com.

🚫 Prohibited Items & Conduct

The following are not allowed on Akatare:

• Illegal, banned, or counterfeit agro-inputs (pesticides, chemicals, seeds).
• Endangered or protected species and wildlife products.
• Stolen goods or items without a clear right to sell.
• Products that are misrepresented in category, origin, or quality.
• Off‑platform payment requests – trying to circumvent escrow.
• Harassment, fraud, or any dishonest behaviour.

Full list and consequences are in our Terms of Service.

💳 Secure Payments

We partner with licensed payment gateways to process mobile money, bank transfers, and card payments. Your financial data is protected by industry‑standard encryption (SSL/TLS) and never stored on our servers.

• All payments are processed in real time.
• Escrow funds are held separately from Akatare's operating accounts.
• You'll receive a confirmation receipt for every transaction.

If you experience payment issues, contact sales@akatare.com.

📁 Data Protection & Privacy

Your personal data is handled with care and in accordance with Uganda's Data Protection and Privacy Act, 2019, and similar laws where we operate.

• We collect only what's needed to operate the platform (account, transaction, and verification data).
• Your information is never sold to third parties.
• You have the right to access, correct, or delete your data – see our Privacy Policy.

For privacy‑specific requests, email sales@akatare.com.

📢 Reporting Issues & Scams

If you encounter suspicious behaviour, a fake listing, or a scam attempt:

1. Report the user or listing using the in‑app reporting tool (available on every profile and product).
2. If you've been contacted off‑platform, take screenshots and email sales@akatare.com with details.
3. For urgent security concerns (account compromise), change your password immediately and contact trust@akatare.com.

We prioritise safety reports and investigate all valid reports promptly.

🛡️ Safety Tips for All Users

• Keep conversations on‑platform. Chat history is your evidence in disputes.
• Never pay outside Akatare. Off‑platform payments are not protected by escrow.
• Verify before you trust. Check the seller's tier, ratings, and recent reviews.
• Don't share sensitive information like passwords, OTPs, or ID documents outside official channels.
• Read listing details carefully. Confirm quantity, quality, and delivery terms before ordering.
• Use the in‑app dispute process – do not accept partial refunds or side settlements without platform involvement.