How Our Verification Works
1. Email Confirmation
Every account begins with a mandatory email verification loop. We actively block disposable and temporary email domains to prevent anonymous spammers from registering.
2. Government ID Check
This is our "Double-Lock". Before a seller can list an animal, they must upload a valid Government Photo ID. This document is manually reviewed by a human admin—not a bot—to ensure it matches their account details.
3. Location & IP Analysis
We cross-reference the seller's stated location with their IP address and their ID document. This helps us instantly flag and ban overseas scammers pretending to be UK-based.
4. CITES Compliance
For Annex A species (like Hermann's Tortoises), we require sellers to display valid Article 10 Certificate numbers. We perform random audits against APHA records to ensure legal compliance.
Look for the Badge
When you see this badge on a seller's profile, it means a human administrator has personally reviewed and approved their identity documentation.
Trust, but verify. Always ask to see the tortoise and paperwork in person.
Our Zero-Tolerance Policy
- Immediate Bans for Scammers Any user flagged for suspicious activity, requesting unsafe payment methods (like Western Union), or using fake photos is permanently banned immediately.
- Welfare First We do not allow "job lot" listings or wholesale flipping of animals. We are a community for hobbyists and responsible breeders, not commodity traders.
- Secure Messaging Our internal messaging system monitors for keywords associated with fraud, protecting you before a conversation even begins.