Safety guide

StudentNC connects students directly with each other, agencies, and local employers. We don't inspect listings or vet every user, so use the same care here that you would with any classifieds site.

Marketplace

• Meet in a public place on campus or a busy area to exchange items, ideally during daylight.
• Inspect the item in person before paying — photos can be old or misleading.
• Avoid paying in full up front for an item you haven't seen, especially by bank transfer to someone you don't know.
• If a price looks too good to be true for a popular item (laptops, phones, bikes), be extra cautious.

Roommates

• Video call before meeting in person, and meet the actual room/flat before agreeing to anything.
• Never send a deposit or "holding fee" to secure a room you haven't visited.
• Tell a friend or family member where you're going the first time you meet someone in person.
• Contact details are only shared once you request them through StudentNC's own "Contact" button — be wary of anyone pushing you off-platform immediately and asking for money before you've even spoken.

Flats

• Only agencies approved by StudentNC can post Flats listings, shown with a green "Verified agency" badge — but that badge confirms we approved the account for posting, not that a specific listing, price, or lease is legitimate.
• Always view the actual flat in person (or via a live video walkthrough) before paying anything.
• Never wire a deposit or first month's rent before you've seen signed, agency-branded paperwork and ideally met the agent in person.
• Get everything in writing — the lease terms, deposit amount, and what the deposit is refundable against.

Jobs

• A legitimate employer never asks you to pay a fee, deposit, or "training cost" to get hired.
• Be cautious of jobs offering unusually high pay for very little work, especially anything asking for upfront bank details.
• Ask clear questions about pay, hours, and start date in writing before you commit.

If something feels wrong

Trust your instincts. If a listing, message, or user seems suspicious, stop engaging and use the Report a listing page so we can look into it. For anything urgent involving your personal safety, contact local authorities directly.