A quick, printable checklist for three audiences: pre-departure, currently coerced, and families & friends. Keep it accessible, share only with trusted contacts, and prefer aggregated facts over precise locations.
PROTECT YOURSELF
Verify the employer via official website, business registry, and street view.
Don’t mail your passport or ID to anyone in advance.
Ask for a signed contract with company header, role, pay, and termination terms.
Don’t pay training, placement, deposit, or “ticket holding” fees.
Request a short video call; ask to see ID badge + office signage on camera.
Don’t accept “sign when you arrive” or verbal-only offers.
Keep all messages and receipts as screenshots (with timestamps).
Don’t rely on private DMs as the only job proof.
Share your full itinerary and emergency contacts with 1–2 trusted people.
Don’t travel without leaving copies of documents and contacts with family.
Set a check-in schedule and agree on code words in advance.
Don’t post exact live locations on public social media.
Book refundable/ changeable tickets only.
Don’t turn off phone security features to install unknown apps.
Pre‑Departure
Verify Before You Go
Use a secondary/borrowed device if possible; use incognito and disable location services.
Don’t post precise addresses or photos that reveal live operations.
Contact vetted hotlines/NGOs/consulates; send aggregated area info (district/city).
Don’t send real-time maps or internal photos with faces/ID numbers.
Record non-operational evidence: time windows (meals, shift bells), fines/“adjustments,” generic landmarks.
Don’t confront guards or managers directly about escape plans.
Memorize one hotline and one consulate number; keep them on a small paper if safe.
Don’t store sensitive notes in your main messaging apps.
Coordinate small roles with trusted peers: lookout, messenger, device keeper.
Don’t share details with unverified accounts offering “rescue for a fee.”
Use a quick-exit browser link and clear history when safe.
Currently Coerced
Safety & Minimal Evidence
Watch for sudden communication limits, scripted language (“training,” “policy”).
Don’t post exact addresses or faces publicly; it can endanger people inside.
Archive chats and transfers as PDFs in date order; keep copies offline.
Don’t attempt private “rescues” or pay ransoms to intermediaries.
Share patterns (times, districts) with vetted NGOs/law enforcement—not public threads.
Don’t overwhelm the person with long messages; ask yes/no where possible.
Prepare recent photos and basic identifiers for official use only.
Don’t share their documents with unverified third parties.
Use agreed code words and short, low‑risk messages; keep replies brief.
Don’t assume silence means safety; keep scheduled check‑ins.
Contact consulates/NGOs for guidance on next steps.
Families & Friends
Recognize & Support
Red Flags (Cross‑Cutting)
Deposits/training fees
document confiscation
sudden address/country changes
communication limits
quotas with fines
euphemisms like “adjustment”,
“correction,” or “re‑education.”