5 Scam Warnings Every Homeowner Should Know Before Hiring a Pro
Scammers target trade hires because urgency + unfamiliar pricing = easy money. Here are the five patterns we see most often on Handi — and how to spot them.
Most Handi members never see a scam attempt. But the ones we have caught follow patterns so predictable they are almost reassuring. Here they are.
1. The "pay EFT now or I cancel the job" provider
A real provider has no reason to demand money before any work happens — they have not earned it yet. If someone asks for a bank transfer "to secure materials" before arriving, end the conversation and report the profile.
2. The "WhatsApp me instead" redirect
If a match immediately tries to take the chat off Handi, you lose two things: the review trail (they cannot be reviewed for work they were never matched on) and the admin safety net. Keep the chat on-platform until you have agreed the job.
3. Deposits over 20%
Small deposits (10-20%) are normal for jobs with material costs. Anything larger — especially if it is framed as "my supplier only takes cash" — is a classic pattern. Real suppliers give receipts. Ask for one.
4. New profile, no reviews, suspiciously low rate
A brand-new provider with no completed jobs is not automatically a scammer — everyone starts somewhere. But "brand-new + 40% below market rate + urgency" is a combination we see in almost every reported case. Filter by "verified" and prefer pros with at least one completed Handi job.
5. The "wrong amount, please refund the difference" sting
This is a classic. You get paid "by mistake" more than you quoted, and the sender asks for the difference back via a different channel. The original transfer reverses, the "refund" does not. Never refund by a different payment method than the one you received.
See anything suspicious? The flag icon on every profile and message surfaces an admin report. We look at every report within one business day.