Trust & Safety
We built Herpify for the captive-bred community. That means real breeders, real animals, and a platform that takes fraud seriously. Here's how we keep you safe.
Six layers of trust
Safety is built into the platform architecture, not bolted on as an afterthought.
Verified Breeder Badge
Breeders verify their identity through a secure, automated check powered by Stripe, the same company trusted by millions of businesses worldwide. You take a quick photo of your government ID and a selfie. Herpify never sees or stores your documents. We only receive a pass/fail result.
Clerk Authentication
All accounts are created via Clerk, requiring a real email address or social login. Every user on the platform is traceable to a verified email. No anonymous accounts.
Secure In-Platform Messaging
All buyer-seller communication happens within Herpify's messaging system, not via unmonitored external platforms.
Community Reporting
Every listing and user profile has a one-click "Report" button. Reports are reviewed by moderation within 24 hours. Listings are suspended immediately if fraud risk is high.
Captive-Bred Focus
We prohibit listings for wild-caught animals without appropriate CITES or government documentation. The CB (Captive-Bred) filter is accurate. Sellers declare source, and misrepresentation is a bannable offence.
Species Legality Guidance
Every country page includes species restriction information for that jurisdiction. We flag species that require permits or are prohibited, and link to authoritative government sources.
Unsure about CITES restrictions for your species?
Get the free CITES Pocket Reference: Appendix I/II/III status for 40+ popular species, import/export rules across AU, US, UK, EU, JP, and ZA.
How breeder verification works
Takes less than 5 minutes. You never have to do it again.
Create your account
Sign up free. No credit card required.
Submit your ID
Government-issued photo ID via Stripe's secure identity portal. Herpify never stores your documents.
Licence number (optional)
If your country has a keeper licence system, you can optionally provide your licence number. It's encrypted and shown to buyers in your region as an extra trust signal.
Badge granted
Once approved, the Verified Breeder badge appears on all your listings and your profile. Permanently.
6 tips for safe buying
The platform protects you. Knowledge is the best defence.
Check the Verified badge
Verified Breeders have passed a secure government ID check powered by Stripe. It's not a guarantee, but it's a meaningful signal.
Look at profile history
How long have they been on the platform? Do they have reviews from previous buyers? A profile with 20+ positive transactions is a strong trust signal.
Ask for recent photos or video
Request a photo of the animal next to today's newspaper, a handwritten sign, or something time-stamped. This confirms the animal is real and in the seller's possession.
Use in-platform messaging first
Keep your initial conversation within Herpify. Sellers who immediately ask to move to WhatsApp or email before establishing trust should raise caution.
Never pay by gift card or wire transfer
PayPal Friends & Family, gift cards, and wire transfers have no buyer protection. If in doubt, use PayPal Goods & Services or a credit card.
Report anything suspicious
If something feels off, report the listing immediately. You won't be blamed for false positives. We'd rather review 10 genuine listings than miss one scam.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Verified Breeder badge mean?
The Verified Breeder badge means the seller has passed an automated government ID check powered by Stripe, confirming they are a real person in their stated country. Herpify never sees or stores ID documents or biometric data. We only receive a pass/fail result from Stripe. In some countries, breeders can also optionally provide their keeper licence number as an additional trust signal for local buyers. The badge does not guarantee the quality of any specific animal. If you believe a verification decision was incorrect, please contact us. We review every concern personally.
What should I do if I think I've been scammed?
Report the listing and user immediately using the Report button. Then contact your payment provider (PayPal, credit card company) to raise a dispute. If you paid by wire transfer or gift card, contact local consumer protection authorities. Report any wildlife law violations to your relevant government department.
Can wild-caught animals be listed on Herpify?
Only if the seller can provide appropriate CITES paperwork and the species is legal in their jurisdiction. All wild-caught listings must be clearly labelled WC. Listing a WC animal as CB is grounds for immediate permanent ban.
How do I report a listing?
Every listing has a 'Report this listing' link at the bottom. Select a reason, add any details, and submit. Our moderation team reviews reports within 24 hours. High-risk reports (suspected fraud) are escalated immediately.
What happens when I report a user?
We review the report within 24 hours. If we find evidence of fraud or policy violation, the listing is removed and the account suspended pending investigation. Confirmed scammers are permanently banned and their details may be shared with relevant authorities.
Is my personal information safe?
Yes. We use Clerk for authentication (enterprise-grade, SOC 2 compliant). Identity verification is handled by Stripe. Your ID photos and biometric data are processed securely by Stripe and never stored on Herpify's servers. Your contact details are only visible to buyers on Starter+ plans. They're hidden from anonymous users. We never sell your data. See our Privacy Policy for full details.
See something suspicious?
Report it immediately. Our team reviews all reports within 24 hours.
