At ShareGrid, users can fill out their profiles with name fields: Legal Name, Display Name, and Business Name. Of these, the Legal Name must be provided to operate a verified ShareGrid account and will be used for ShareGrid Rental Agreements and Contracts.
Here's a detailed guide to help you understand each category and ensure your profile is compliant.
Types of Names You Can Use on ShareGrid:
Legal Name: This should be your full name as recognized legally by government authorities.
Registered Business Name: If operating a ShareGrid account under a business name, it must be officially registered, active, and in good standing. You must own the business or be authorized to use its name.
Established Stage Name: If you're known professionally by a different name, such as a stage name, you can use that name, provided there is an established online presence associated with it.
Preferred Names: You're welcome to use a preferred name, such as a middle name or nickname, as long as it reflects your identity accurately and is consistent with your persona.
Note that your display name will be locked once you begin the ID verification process. If you want to change your display name to an established stage name or preferred name, please contact our support team at contact or help@sharegrid.com.
Guidelines and Restrictions for Display Names:
Inappropriate Content: Names must not contain offensive or profane language.
Impersonation: Your display name should accurately represent your identity. Using someone else's name or creating a misleading online persona is prohibited.
Symbols and Numbers: These should be avoided unless they are part of a legally registered and active business name.
Non-Compliant Business Names: Only use business names that are currently in good standing with relevant authorities.
Full Name Requirement: For insurance and liability purposes, your legal name must include both your first and last names. Using only your first name or initials is not allowed.
Public Association: Your display name must match a name that is publicly associated with your identity, such as a name used on social media or a professional website.
Importance of Accurate Display Names:
Accurate display names are crucial to building trust and ensuring safety within the ShareGrid community. They also help other members understand who they are dealing with, which is essential in a peer-to-peer marketplace.
Managing Name Privacy and Search Visibility
Understanding how to manage your name privacy on ShareGrid can help protect your personal information. You can control whether your profile appears in search engine results by following these steps:
Log in to your ShareGrid account.
Navigate to Settings > Account > Restrictions.
Select 'Hide my profile from search engines,' and click the 'Save' button.
This prevents Google and other search engines from indexing your profile details.
Names of Rental Agreements/Contracts:
Rental Transactions: The full legal name of the account holder is used on the Rental Agreement page, which is accessible to both parties involved in the transaction.
Business Accounts: If using a business account, both the business name and the legal name of the account holder will appear on the Rental Agreement as required by insurance standards.
Separating Personal and Stage Names
If you use both a legal name and a stage name, ShareGrid provides options to manage how these names are displayed:
Your birth name can stay private and separate from your stage name or social media identity. However, when you rent something, your legal name will appear on the rental agreement and be visible to the other party.
Best Practices for Privacy on ShareGrid
Given ShareGrid's policies and limitations, following these steps can help maintain your privacy:
Use the search engine visibility option in your account settings to restrict profile exposure.
Ensure your ShareGrid display name matches a publicly acceptable identity to comply with verification requirements.
Consider operating under a registered business name if necessary.
Communicate clearly with support regarding any special verification requests.
Related Articles:
Need Help?
If you have any questions or need assistance, please don't hesitate to contact ShareGrid's support team.