1. What is SafeHold?
PBridge SafeHold is our escrow payment protection system. It protects both clients and freelancers by holding project funds securely until work is delivered and approved. All SafeHold transactions are conducted in Nigerian Naira (₦). SafeHold ensures that freelancers can work with confidence knowing funds are secured, and clients know their money is protected until they are satisfied with the delivery.
2. How SafeHold Works
Step 1 — Fund: The client accepts a freelancer's proposal and deposits the agreed project amount into SafeHold escrow. The funds are held securely by PBridge.
Step 2 — Work: The freelancer can see the funded status on their dashboard and begins work with confidence that payment is guaranteed upon delivery.
Step 3 — Deliver: The freelancer submits the completed work through the PBridge platform for the client to review.
Step 4 — Approve: The client reviews the delivery. Upon approval, SafeHold automatically releases the funds to the freelancer's PBridge wallet.
Step 5 — Withdraw: The freelancer withdraws earnings to any Nigerian bank account. Withdrawals are typically processed within 1–2 business days.
3. Service Fees
A service fee is deducted when SafeHold releases funds to the freelancer. The fee depends on your subscription plan: Starter (free plan) — 20%, Professional — 15%, Business — 10%, Enterprise — 5%. Service fees are deducted from the freelancer's earnings only. Clients pay no additional fees for using SafeHold. For full plan details, see our Pricing page.
4. Dispute Resolution
If either party is unsatisfied with a delivery, they can open a dispute before SafeHold releases the funds. PBridge mediates all disputes impartially. During mediation, funds remain locked in escrow until a resolution is reached. Both parties are required to provide evidence supporting their position. Dispute decisions are typically made within 7–10 business days. PBridge's mediation decisions regarding escrow fund releases are final and binding within the context of the Platform.
5. Refunds from SafeHold
If the freelancer has not yet started work, the client may request a full refund from SafeHold at any time. Once work has begun, refunds are handled exclusively through the dispute resolution process described above. PBridge reserves the right to make final refund decisions. Partial refunds may be issued when a portion of the work has been satisfactorily completed. For more details, see our Refund Policy.
6. Security & Compliance
All SafeHold funds are processed through Paystack, Nigeria's leading payment infrastructure provider. Funds are never held in personal accounts — they are managed through regulated financial channels. PBridge maintains full transaction records for audit and compliance purposes. All payment data is encrypted and handled in compliance with PCI DSS standards and the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR).
7. Auto-Release
If a client does not review a delivery within 14 days of submission, SafeHold will automatically release the funds to the freelancer. Clients are notified via email before auto-release occurs. This policy ensures freelancers are not left waiting indefinitely for payment after delivering quality work.
8. Contact Us
For escrow-related inquiries, contact our support team at support@pbridgeco.com or visit our contact page.
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