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Safety for Hosts & Locals

In an emergency, call the local emergency number first (112 across the EU and many other countries, 911 in North America, 999 in the UK). RuinMyTrip cannot send help.

What we check, and what we do not

  • Email confirmed means the member clicked a link sent to their address. It says nothing else about them.
  • Adults only. Meeting travelers, posting trips and hosting need a date of birth showing 18 or over. We do not check documents for this.
  • Host applications are read by a moderator before they appear. That is a review of what the member wrote, not a background check.
  • We do not check identity documents. A name and photo on a profile are what the member chose to show.

Nothing on this site guarantees personal safety. RuinMyTrip does not guarantee the safety, identity or behaviour of any member, host, guest or meetup.

Before you meet

  • Read their profile, their references and how long they have been a member.
  • Keep the conversation on RuinMyTrip until you have met, so it can be reported if needed.
  • Meet the first time somewhere public and busy, in daylight if you can.
  • Tell a friend who you are meeting, where and when, and check in afterwards.
  • Arrange your own way there and back, and keep your phone charged.
  • Never send money, documents or account codes to another member, for any reason.

If something feels wrong

  • Leave. You never owe anybody your time, and you do not need a reason.
  • Block from their profile or the conversation menu. They can no longer message you or find you in searches.
  • Report the profile, a message or a reference. Every report is reviewed by a moderator, and the member is not told who reported them.
  • If you were hurt or threatened, contact the police as well as reporting it here.

What is not allowed

Harassment, threats, unwanted sexual advances, discrimination, scams, asking for money, fake profiles, and using Hosts & Locals for dating, commercial tours or paid lodging. Members who break these rules are suspended. The full rules are in our community guidelines.

Your privacy

  • Your email and phone number are never shown to other members.
  • Profiles show a city. A host can add a neighbourhood. No address, street or live location is ever stored or shown.
  • Stop being a local, or pause or withdraw hosting, any time from your Hosts & Locals settings.
  • You can delete your account and its data from settings. See our privacy policy.

Overnight stays

  • Stays are free. Never send or accept money, a deposit or a "booking fee". Anybody asking for one is breaking our rules: report them.
  • Read the host's or guest's profile and references, and the house rules, before you say yes.
  • Agree arrival details in RuinMyTrip messages, and share the address and your dates with a friend.
  • Keep your passport, money and phone with you, and have a backup place to stay in mind.
  • Every stay page has a Report this stay link for the guest and the host. Moderators review every report.