Trust & safety

Badges show only what was checked

Lessons does not vet beyond the checks listed on each profile. Every badge names its source and the date it was checked; anything self-reported is shown as "on file, unverified".

Trust tiers

Tier	Price	What it means
Basic · unverified	Free	Listed and searchable. No checks completed.
Verified · identity checked	Free	Identity checked through Stripe Identity.
Pro · checks listed on profile	Free	Identity plus the market's required license, insurance or background checks.

Checks we can run

Identity: government ID and selfie through Stripe Identity.
License: number matched against the state's public registry where one is published (TX, WA, NY today), with a link to the registry.
Insurance: certificate uploaded by the seller, checked by our team, with expiry reminders at 60, 30 and 7 days.
Background check: Checkr, paid by the seller with their FCRA consent. Not enabled until the Checkr account is live; no badge is shown before then.

Important for this market

Tutors and coaches are independent businesses. Anyone who teaches a learner under 18 needs a clear Checkr background check and a verified identity before a booking is created. A Checkr check is a name-based criminal screen, not a state fingerprint check; some states require fingerprint clearance for people who work with children (for example Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code 18975), and the tutor is responsible for it.
Learners under 13 use an account a parent or guardian created and verified; we collect children's information only with that parent's consent, and the parent can review or delete it at any time (COPPA, 16 CFR Part 312). Contact details are masked in chat and sessions are recorded only if both the guardian and the tutor opt in.

Payments and disputes

Payments run through Stripe Connect. If something goes wrong, open a dispute; see the refund policy. Report a listing or copyright problem through the DMCA page or support@eliteaiempire.com. In an emergency call 911.