Trust & Safety

Producer Verification

Producers submit official documentation — a USDA Farm ID, livestock brand registration, breed-association membership, or similar — before they can list animals. Our team reviews each submission, and approved producers display a green checkmark on their profile. Members can earn an additional breed-association badge by registering their herd ID with associations like Angus (AAA), Hereford (AHA), or Charolais (AICA).

Privacy-First Messaging

Contact information — phone numbers, email addresses, and physical addresses — is never shown on profiles or in listings. All communication happens inside American Cattle Union's secure messaging system until both parties have agreed to share contact details. This protects both buyers and sellers from unsolicited contact and potential fraud.

Formal Breeding Agreements

For genetics and breeding transactions, American Cattle Union provides a formal agreement system. Both parties propose and accept documented terms — what was agreed, by whom, and when — so there's a clear, shared record that protects both the bull owner and the cow owner.

Bill of Sale on Every Deal

When a sale closes on American Cattle Union, the platform generates a bill of sale automatically — lot description, buyer and seller, head count, price per head, date, and signature blocks. Only the buyer and seller can view and print it, so every transaction leaves a clean, documented record.

Payments Through the Platform

All transactions are processed through Stripe, a PCI-compliant payment processor. American Cattle Union never stores card numbers or banking credentials. We strongly advise against sending payment via wire transfer, check, Venmo, or cash to anyone you have not met in person and verified independently. If a deal feels rushed or a seller is pressuring you to pay outside the platform, that is a red flag.

Reporting & Moderation

Every profile, listing, and conversation has a report button. Reports are reviewed by our team, typically within 24–48 hours. Producers found to be misrepresenting animals, engaging in fraud, or harassing other members will have their accounts suspended or permanently banned. Verified status can be revoked at any time.

Trust Tiers

American Cattle Union uses a tiered trust system to reward long-standing, well-reviewed members:

• Unverified Browse listings and communities. Submit documentation to get verified before listing animals.
• Verified ✓ Full access — list animals, message connected producers, post in communities.
• Trusted Earned after 5+ positive reviews and 6+ months on platform. Enhanced credibility with other members.