FOLD

Fold Community Safety Guidelines

Fold is a community built for homesteaders to buy, sell, and trade responsibly. Because Fold listings often involve in-person meetups, farm visits, livestock, tools, and raw goods, safety is essential.
These guidelines help protect buyers, sellers, animals, and property.

By using Fold, you agree to follow these Community Safety Guidelines in addition to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

1. General Safety Expectations

  • Be honest, respectful, and transparent in all communications and transactions.

  • Keep conversations inside the Fold app whenever possible.

  • Trust your instincts—if something feels off, stop the interaction.

  • Do not engage in harassment, bullying, threats, or abusive behavior.

  • Do not impersonate other users or misrepresent what you are selling.

Fold may remove listings or suspend accounts that violate these guidelines.

2. In-Person Meetup Safety

Whether you’re picking up eggs or delivering a dairy goat, prioritize personal safety:

Safe Meetup Tips

  • Meet in public, well-lit locations whenever possible (farm goods may require exceptions).

  • Bring someone with you if visiting a private residence or farm.

  • Let someone know where you're going and when you expect to return.

  • Keep your phone charged and your Fold chat open.

  • For large livestock transactions, meet in daylight hours whenever possible.

Never Meet If

  • The other party refuses to verify basic information (first name, approximate location).

  • You are uncomfortable with the nature of the meetup.

  • The listing seems fraudulent or too good to be true.

If you ever feel unsafe or witness suspicious behavior, report it to Fold and local authorities if needed.

3. Safety When Buying or Selling Animals

Livestock moves involve special safety considerations for both people and animals.

Animal Welfare

Users must:

  • Ensure animals are represented accurately (age, sex, health, temperament, breed).

  • Not list sick, injured, or mistreated animals.

  • Follow all federal, state, and local regulations for animal transport and sales.

  • Provide appropriate containment or transport equipment during pickup.

Fold prohibits:

  • Sales of endangered or illegal wildlife.

  • Cruelty, neglect, or unethical treatment of any animal.

  • Misrepresentation of an animal’s health, vaccinations, behavior, or breed.

Buyer Responsibilities

  • Verify the seller’s information before visiting.

  • Ask for vet records or proof of health where applicable.

  • Ensure you can legally own or transport the animal in your state.

  • Bring proper equipment (trailer, crates, livestock restraints).

Seller Responsibilities

  • Ensure animals are secure and safely handled during pickup.

  • Follow your state’s livestock bill-of-sale or movement permit requirements.

  • Disclose any known health or behavior conditions.

Fold does not mediate disputes between buyers and sellers.
All transactions occur off-platform at your own risk.

4. Safety When Buying or Selling Raw Goods (Milk, Eggs, Meat, etc.)

Users are responsible for complying with all food safety laws, which vary by state.

Fold expects users to:

  • Clearly disclose whether goods are raw, unpasteurized, homemade, or processed.

  • Follow all labeling and packaging requirements where applicable.

  • Store goods at appropriate temperatures until pickup.

  • Only sell goods they produced themselves or have rights to sell.

Buyers should:

  • Ask questions about production, handling, and storage.

  • Follow safe food handling practices after purchase.

  • Know whether raw milk, raw cheese, or other goods are legal to purchase in their state.

Fold does not verify or certify food safety of goods listed on the platform.

5. Fraud & Scam Prevention

Common red flags:

  • Requests to send money before seeing the item or animal.

  • Users who refuse in-person meetups without a legitimate reason.

  • Payment methods that offer no buyer protection (e.g., gift cards, wire transfers).

  • Listings priced unusually low relative to market value.

To stay safe:

  • Never share banking information with another user.

  • Avoid deposits unless you fully trust the seller (Fold cannot recover deposits).

  • Keep communication inside the app.

Report suspicious listings or messages immediately.

6. Prohibited Behavior

The following are not allowed on Fold:

  • Fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation of any kind

  • Selling stolen goods or animals

  • Harassment, threats, or abusive conduct

  • Discrimination or hate speech

  • Listings that violate state or federal laws

  • Violations of animal welfare or food safety laws

  • Attempting to circumvent Fold bans, moderation, or safety measures

  • Encouraging others to break state or federal regulations

Violations may result in listing removal, account suspension, or permanent bans.

7. Reporting Issues

You can report:

  • Suspicious users

  • Unsafe behavior

  • Fraudulent listings

  • Animal welfare concerns

  • Harassment or abusive conduct

Fold may take action but does not guarantee outcomes or mediation.

If you are in immediate danger, contact local law enforcement.

8. Legal Responsibility

Fold is a platform for connecting buyers and sellers.
All transactions occur off-platform and at your own risk.

Users are solely responsible for:

  • Compliance with federal, state, and local laws

  • Animal welfare and transport

  • Food safety

  • The accuracy of their listings

  • Their behavior during meetups

  • Any harm or damages resulting from transactions

Fold is not responsible for disputes, injuries, or losses related to off-platform transactions.