Safety & Trust

How to Stay Safe on Relief Care

Effective Date: June 23, 2026

Relief Care connects Care Seekers with Care Givers. While we have robust safety measures, safety also depends on following platform rules and using your own best judgment. Use the checklist below for every booking.

Core safety rules

• Keep communication on Relief Care. Do not move conversations to SMS, WhatsApp, social media, or personal email. Staying on the platform creates a record that protects you.
• Pay only through Relief Care. Do not pay via cash, e-transfer, gift cards, crypto, or "deposit" requests outside the platform.
• Never share sensitive personal data in chat. Do not send bank details, card numbers, passwords, verification codes, your SIN, or passport numbers in messages, profiles, or job posts. The only place you should ever enter sensitive identity information — such as a SIN for payout and tax setup — is the dedicated secure flow operated by our payment processor, never in chat.
• Do not put health information on the platform. Patient or client health details (names, diagnoses, care notes, medication information, health card numbers) must not be sent through Relief Care. Health information must be handled directly between the Care Giver and the Care Seeker outside the platform, in line with our Privacy Policy and Ontario's health-privacy law (PHIPA).
• Trust patterns, not stories. Scammers often use urgency ("I need it now") or exceptions ("I can't use the app right now"). Stick to the process.

Spotting the most common scams

1. Off-platform payment requests

• Red flags: "Pay me directly and I'll charge less," "Send a deposit to hold the shift," or "I can't access the app right now."
• Action: Decline immediately and report the user in-app.

2. Fake support messages

• Red flags: Anyone claiming to be "Relief Care Support" asking for your password, 2FA codes, or payment info. Watch for links to domains that look slightly different from ours.
• Action: Do not click. Contact support through the app or your official support email.

3. Credential impersonation

• Red flags: A provider refuses to show proof of credentials when a role requires them, or the person who arrives does not match the profile name or photo.
• Action: Pause the shift. Confirm identity before allowing care to start.

Care Seeker safety checklist

Before you book

• Verify the role requirements you actually need (PSW, nurse, etc.).
• Read the full profile and look for consistency in experience and availability.
• Use clear shift notes: detail tasks, mobility needs, pets, parking, household rules, PPE expectations, and who will be present.

For in-home care (families)

• First visit rule: Have another adult present if possible.
• Control access: Limit access to only necessary rooms.
• Secure valuables: Lock away valuables and medications before arrival.
• Set boundaries: Provide written expectations for tasks, breaks, and off-limits areas.
• Check-in plan: Have a plan to check in with a family member (arrival, mid-shift, completion).

For facilities/clinics

• Do not bypass onboarding: ensure badge access, unit orientation, and emergency procedures are completed.
• Assign a point person for handoff and escalation.
• Require on-site identity confirmation at check-in.

During and after the shift

• Keep all schedule changes and issues documented in the platform.
• If anything feels off, end the interaction early.
• Report problems immediately while details are fresh.
• Leave an accurate review to protect other users.

Care Giver safety checklist

Before you accept a shift

• Confirm location, start/end time, duties, patient context, and required equipment.
• If the request is vague or keeps changing, treat it as a risk.
• Do not accept "cash bonus" offers to change terms off-platform.

Arrival and personal safety

• Verify the Care Seeker's name and location match the booking. If details don't match, do not enter; contact support.
• Tell a trusted person where you are and your shift window.
• Keep your phone charged.
• Keep exits clear and avoid isolated areas if something feels unsafe.

Professional boundaries

• Do not transport clients, handle money, or take on tasks outside the agreed scope unless the booking explicitly includes it.
• Do not share your personal address, social accounts, or financial details.

What to do if something goes wrong

• Immediate danger: Call local emergency services (911) right away.
• Non-emergency (unsafe/suspicious): Report in-app, contact Relief Care support, and save evidence (screenshots, timestamps).