Terms of Service
Welcome to Escora. These Terms of Service govern your use of Escora's escrow payment platform and services. By accessing or using Escora through WhatsApp, our website, or any other channel, you agree to be bound by these Terms.
01About Escora
Escora is an AI-powered escrow payment platform that protects buyers and sellers in online transactions. We hold buyer payments securely until the seller delivers the agreed item, preventing fraud and building trust in online marketplaces.
Our AI assistant, Cora, manages your transactions through WhatsApp, providing a simple, conversational experience in English, Pidgin, Yoruba, Igbo, and Hausa. By using Escora through WhatsApp, our website, or any other channel, you agree to be bound by these Terms.
02How Escora Works
2.1Transaction Process
When you start a transaction through Escora:
The buyer provides item details, seller information, and payment amount.
The buyer pays the agreed amount through our secure payment system.
Escora holds the payment in escrow while the seller prepares and ships the item.
The seller confirms shipment and provides proof.
The buyer confirms receipt and satisfaction with the item.
Escora releases payment to the seller.
2.2Payment Release
Payments are automatically released to sellers 60 hours after shipping confirmation, unless the buyer raises a dispute before that time.
If a dispute is raised before auto-release, payment is held pending resolution.
Once released, funds are transferred to the seller's registered bank account.
Once the buyer confirms receipt or auto-release is triggered, the transaction is final. No dispute, claim, or reversal can be raised through the platform afterward.
2.3Payment Refund
If the seller does not ship the item within 48 hours of payment, the buyer is automatically refunded. No action is required.
Buyers may request an early refund once 24 hours have passed without the seller shipping, and any time before the 48 hour auto-refund mark.
Both buyer and seller are notified whenever a refund is raised or processed.
Refunds typically reach the buyer's original payment method within 1 to 3 business days.
03Account Verification and Transaction Limits
3.1Account Creation
You create an account by interacting with Cora on WhatsApp. Your WhatsApp number is your unique account identifier. You must provide accurate information, including your legal name and, for sellers, valid bank account details.
3.2Verification Tiers
Escora uses a tiered verification system. Higher tiers unlock higher transaction limits.
Tier 1: WhatsApp number and legal name. Limit: up to ₦100,000 per transaction.
Tier 2: Tier 1 plus National Identification Number (NIN). Limit: up to ₦500,000 per transaction.
Tier 3: Tier 2 plus Bank Verification Number (BVN). Limit: up to ₦1,000,000 per transaction.
3.3Other Limits
Users who exceed these limits may be flagged for manual review. Higher limits may be available on request with additional verification.
Your very first transaction is capped at ₦100,000, regardless of your verification tier.
Minimum transaction amount: ₦10,000.
Daily limit: ₦3,000,000 across all transactions.
Monthly limit: ₦10,000,000 across all transactions.
Maximum of 10 transactions per day per user.
Maximum of 10 disputes and 10 refund requests per rolling 30 day period.
04User Responsibilities
4.1Buyers
Provide accurate delivery details.
Inspect items immediately upon receipt, before confirming.
Confirm receipt promptly and honestly.
Report issues within 60 hours of the seller's shipping confirmation.
4.2Sellers
Deliver items as described, within the agreed timeframe.
Provide proof of shipment, including photos, videos and tracking details.
Respond promptly to buyer questions and disputes.
Be responsible for item quality, accuracy, and packaging.
4.3All Users
Do not use Escora for illegal activity or prohibited items.
Keep your WhatsApp account secure.
Communicate honestly and respectfully.
Comply with all applicable Nigerian laws.
05Prohibited Items and Activities
5.1Prohibited Items
Escora cannot be used to transact:
Illegal drugs, controlled substances, or drug paraphernalia.
Weapons, firearms, ammunition, or explosives.
Stolen goods or items that infringe intellectual property rights.
Counterfeit products, fake documents, or fraudulent items.
Adult content, escort services, or sexually explicit material.
Live animals or endangered species.
Human organs, body parts, or biological material.
Gambling services, pyramid schemes, or multi-level marketing.
Hacked accounts, stolen data, or unauthorized access credentials.
Tobacco, cigarettes, vapes, or related products.
Any item that violates Nigerian law or international trade regulations.
5.2Prohibited Activities
Users may not:
Create multiple accounts to bypass transaction limits or bans.
Provide false information or fraudulent documentation.
Use Escora for money laundering or terrorist financing.
Collude with other parties to manipulate the escrow system.
Harass, threaten, or abuse other users or Escora staff.
Attempt to bypass security measures.
Use Escora to arrange transactions that are then completed outside the platform.
5.3Consequences
Violations may lead to transaction cancellation, payment holds, account suspension, permanent ban, and referral to law enforcement where appropriate.
06Fees and Payments
6.1Fee Structure
Escora charges a small service fee on every transaction to keep escrow protection, fraud checks, and dispute resolution running.
Example: on a ₦300,000 transaction, the buyer pays ₦303,000 and the seller receives ₦294,000. Fees are shown before you pay and are non-refundable, except where a transaction is cancelled before any payment processing occurs.
Buyer fee, added on top of the item price:
Transactions under ₦300,000: +1.5%
Transactions ₦300,000 and above: +1.0%
Seller fee, deducted from the payout:
Transactions up to ₦500,000: -2.0%
Transactions above ₦500,000: -1.5%
6.2Payment Methods
We accept bank transfers, card payments, and other methods supported by our payment processor, Paystack. All payments are processed through encrypted, secure channels.
6.3Payment Security
We do not store your complete card details. Payment processing is handled by a PCI-DSS compliant provider. You are responsible for keeping your payment credentials secure.
07Fraud Prevention and Security
Escora monitors transactions for suspicious activity, including unusual patterns, high frequency trading, and repeated transactions between the same parties. Flagged transactions may be placed under manual review. We may request additional verification at any time, particularly for high value transactions or unusual activity. Failure to provide requested verification may result in transaction delays or cancellation.
08Disputes and Resolution
If you have an issue with a transaction, contact Escora to raise dispute immediately through WhatsApp by messaging Cora. Buyers must raise disputes within 60 hours of the seller's shipping confirmation.
Both parties will be asked to provide evidence, including photos, videos, receipts, or communication records. Most disputes are resolved within 3 to 10 business days. During this time, payment remains in escrow. Escora's dispute decisions are final and binding. We reserve the right to release payment, issue a refund, or split the outcome based on the evidence provided. Users who repeatedly raise disputes without merit may face account restrictions. Full details of the process, evidence standards, and how misconduct by either party is handled are set out in our Dispute Resolution Policy.
09Liability and Intellectual Property
9.1Limitation of Liability
Escora acts as an intermediary and does not guarantee the quality, safety, legality, or accuracy of items transacted on the platform. We are not responsible for user conduct, item defects, delivery failures by third party couriers, or losses arising from prohibited activity. This limitation of liability does not apply to escrow funds held and released under the ordinary transaction and dispute process, which are governed separately by our Dispute Resolution Policy. For all other claims arising from your use of Escora, our total liability is limited to the amount of the transaction giving rise to the claim.
9.2Intellectual Property
All Escora branding, software, and content belong to Escora and are protected by intellectual property law. You may not reproduce, modify, or distribute Escora's materials without written permission.
10General Terms
10.1Data and Privacy
Your personal information is collected, used, and protected in accordance with our Privacy Policy. By using Escora, you consent to that processing.
10.2Changes to These Terms
We may update these Terms at any time. We will notify users of material changes through WhatsApp or our website. Continued use of Escora after a change means you accept the update.
10.3Termination
We may suspend or terminate an account for violating these Terms, suspicious or fraudulent activity, legal requirements, or prolonged inactivity. You may close your account by contacting support once any outstanding transactions are complete.
10.4Governing Law
These Terms are governed by the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Disputes arising from the use of Escora are subject to the jurisdiction of Nigerian courts.
10.5Contact
Questions about these Terms can be sent to hello@getescora.com or by messaging Cora on WhatsApp.
