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Safety on VAKA

The protections that are part of the process of every rental between neighbors.

Last updated: June 12, 2026

Safety on VAKA doesn't depend on a promise: it's built into the process of every rental. This page explains the protections that activate from when you book until you return, and what to do if something goes wrong.

1. VAKA Shield — protection is in the process

VAKA Shield is the name of VAKA's protection system. It's not insurance nor a fund of money: it's the set of mandatory steps that protect both neighbors in every rental.

  • Verified identity to exchange. Only neighbors with approved identity can rent or accept rentals (section 2).
  • Security deposit. The neighbor who rents pays a deposit that is charged at handover and returned when the rental ends without claims (section 3).
  • Mandatory evidence. Photos with GPS location when handing over and when receiving the item (section 5).
  • Claims process with clear deadlines. Whoever posted has 48 hours from the return to report damage; the other neighbor has 72 hours to respond. The details are in the Claims Policy.
  • Neighbor Backer. A real person who backs the neighbor who rents and responds if the deposit isn't enough, up to the amount they consented to (section 4).

If a claim is approved, the repair is financed by the deposit of the neighbor who rented and, if that's not enough, their Neighbor Backer up to the amount they consented to. VAKA manages the process, reviews the evidence and moves payments between the parties.

VAKA Shield is not insurance nor a policy. VAKA is not an insurer. It's the set of protections of the rental process.

More detail on the page of VAKA Shield.

2. Identity verification

On VAKA, trust is built step by step. Each action unlocks the next one:

  • Exploring is free: you can see items and prices without registering.
  • To request a rental or make an offer you confirm your phone. The chat with the other neighbor opens when the booking is paid — that way everything is coordinated within VAKA.
  • To publish you upload your identity document.
  • To rent or accept a rental your identity must be approved: official document plus a selfie, which our team reviews manually. It may take some time; we'll let you know when it's ready.

You can start or complete your verification at /verificacion. How we handle your documents is explained in the Identity Verification Policy.

3. Security deposit

Every rental carries a security deposit that is charged at the handover of the item. It's not a symbolic hold: it's a real charge, and that's why it truly protects.

  • Verified Neighbor (approved identity, no history yet): 50% of the item's value.
  • Trusted Neighbor (3 or more completed rentals without claims): 30%.
  • Top Neighbor , or any neighbor with an active Neighbor Backer : 15%.

The minimum deposit is USD 25 and never drops below 15% of the item's value. Your history reduces the percentage, but no history eliminates it: there's always a deposit.

If the rental ends without claims, the deposit is returned in full when the 48-hour claims window closes. The time for it to be reflected depends on your bank. The detail of charges and refunds is in the Payments Policy.

4. Neighbor Backer

A Neighbor Backer is a real person with a good history on VAKA (rating 4.7 or higher, at least 15 completed rentals and verified identity) who decides to back another neighbor. With an active Neighbor Backer, the deposit of the person who rents drops to 15%.

The Neighbor Backer accepts with explicit consent where they see the item, its value and the maximum amount for which they are responsible. If a claim is approved and the deposit isn't enough, the Neighbor Backer covers the difference only up to that amount they consented to — never more.

4.1 Rules to prevent abuse

  • A neighbor cannot have more than 3 active backings at a time.
  • Reciprocal backings are not allowed (you back me, I back you).
  • The Neighbor Backer cannot share a device with the neighbor who rents — the accounts must really be different people.
  • After a Neighbor Backer is charged for a claim, they go through a pause period before being able to back again.

All the detail is on the page of the Neighbor Backer and in the Neighbor Backer Agreement.

5. Evidence when handing over and receiving

At handover and at return, the app asks for photos of the item with GPS location. That evidence is saved in the booking and is the basis of any claim: it shows in what condition it was handed over and in what condition it came back.

  • Take the photos in good light and from various angles.
  • Include the accessories (batteries, chargers, cases) if the item has them.
  • If you receive an item with damage that isn't shown in the listing, photograph it and report it before using it.

6. Safe meetups

The neighbors coordinate the handover and the return. Our recommendations:

  • Meet in busy public places: cafés, shopping centers, gas stations with cameras and good lighting.
  • Prefer daytime hours.
  • For higher-value items, go accompanied and check the item calmly before confirming the handover.
  • Share with someone you trust where and when the meetup will be.

Before there's a rental in progress, all coordination goes through VAKA's chat. The other person's phone is shared only once the rental is in progress.

7. Protected chat

VAKA's chat automatically blocks messages that try to share phones, emails or external links. It's not a whim: keeping the conversation within VAKA lets our team review it if there's a problem, and protects the deposit, the evidence and the claims process.

For the same reason, always pay within VAKA. If you pay outside, there's no deposit, no evidence and no possible claim. More on this in the Anti-Fraud Policy.

8. Double-blind reviews

Reviews on VAKA are double-blind: neither of the two neighbors sees the other's review until both publish theirs or the review window expires. This prevents retaliatory reviews and makes each neighbor's history honest information.

Before renting or accepting a rental, check the other person's profile and reviews. History is one of the best safety tools you have.

9. Red flags

Signs of suspicious behavior worth recognizing:

  • They ask you to pay outside VAKA (bank transfer, cash).
  • They ask you to hand over the item before there's a paid booking on the platform.
  • Unjustified rush to close the deal outside the chat.
  • Requests for personal information the rental doesn't need (photo of your document via chat, your home address).
  • A newly created account with no reviews that wants to rent high-value items.
  • A profile photo that looks taken from the internet.

If you detect any, use the "Report this item" button on the listing, "Report profile" on the neighbor's profile, or report the message directly from the chat. You can also write to soporte@vakaland.com or use Report a problem.

10. If there's an emergency

If at any moment you feel physical danger, first call your country's emergency number (911 in most of the region). Your safety comes first; the item is replaceable. Afterwards, report what happened from your booking so our team reviews it as a priority.

The complete steps are in Emergency support.

Safety on VAKA | VAKA