Scams and fraud exist on the internet. Responsible buying and selling is essential to reduce your risk.

These tips can help you reduce the possibility of fraud.

As either a buyer or a seller on this website, you may receive emails from us.

Unfortunately there are individuals who trick and mislead people to believe that they are dealing with us, when in fact they are not.

To help protect yourself from unauthorised emails remember:

• we will never send you an email that asks you to confirm or provide personal information, your login or password or request payment
• check the URL of the email carefully to ensure it is legitimate – scammers may set up URL’s that look similar to a legitimate URL – however there are differences.

You can help to make selling safer by following these tips:

• Protect yourself against unauthorised access to your advertisement:
• only log on to your advertisement through a legitimate Network URL or address
• never log on to your advertisement via a link in an email (even if the email looks like it's from us).
• if you do click on a link - check the website address carefully. Fake websites are sometimes created with similar addresses. If in doubt, log on to the website manually.
• if you think your advertisement has been accessed by an unauthorised person contact the customer support team on (03) 9093 8666, Monday to Friday, 8.00 am – 7.00 pm or email us directly.


• Protect yourself when selling your boat:
• find out who you are dealing with: ask for a name and contact phone number
• ring the number to check if it is legitimate
• before you agree to test the boat on the water:
• check your insurance - comprehensive insurance policies generally cover test drives but you should check to make sure your insurance covers you.
• check the driver's insurance and write down the licence number – an accident may not be covered if the driver is un-insured
• obtain something of value, i.e. keys as security for the test drive (even if you go along for the test drive)
• before you go along for the test drive always consider whether it is safe to get in the boat.
• if in doubt about a buyer don’t rush into a test drive or a sale.

You can help to make buying safer by following these tips:

• Protect yourself against fake and fraudulent advertisements:
• don't rush to buy if the advertisement seems too good to be true
• be suspicious if the item for sale is advertised at a very low price
• find out who you are dealing with: ask for a name and contact phone number
• ring the number to check if it is legitimate
• before you buy, check the item is still listed on our website (if we suspect an advertisement we will suspend or withdraw it from display)
• electronic money transfers such as Western Union are not intended to be used to send money to strangers. Never pay a stranger by electronic funds transfer
• never agree to deposit money in a bank account or via escrow unless completely sure the advertisement and seller are legitimate
• we do not offer an 'escrow' or similar service

• Protect yourself against buying a stolen or encumbered boat :
• obtain a 3rd party inspection
• ALWAYS get independent advice
• if in doubt about a boat don’t rush in to buy it
• Research whether your State/Territory Road Traffic Authority has a Vehicle Securities Register which will generally allow you to check:
• Boat Registration Status
• Finance recorded against the boat
• Whether the boat is reported as stolen

Note that fees may apply.


• If your State/Territory Road Traffic Authority can’t provide you with these details or you would like further information on a boat then please consider purchasing a REVS Certificate. Click here for more details.

It is difficult to define a "scam" as scammers are often sophisticated criminals, who invent new scams frequently.

It is important to note that the examples below are not exhaustive. Scammers invent new scams all the time. You should protect yourself by educating yourself on how to recognise, report and protect yourself from scams. Visit www.scamwatch.gov.au for more information.

An example of a common scam is "Phishing". Phishing scams include an attempt to criminally acquire sensitive information, such as usernames or passwords.

For example, you receive a fake email claiming to be from our Support Team asking you to click on a link to 'confirm your username and password'. In fact, the Support Team will never send you an email requesting you confirm your personal or login/password details. This email is not from the Support Team.

Another example could be an apparently legitimate email enquiry in relation to an item for sale from a 'buyer'. The email will ask you to click a link to view the item you have listed for sale, to confirm the item they are interested in is yours. On clicking the link you are sent to a fake web page that looks like a legitimate page. This page then prompts you to login using your login and password details. This email is not legitimate and is from a scammer.

Phishing is a type of fraud, whereby a scammer attempts to deceive you into giving away financial account numbers, passwords and other valuable private information.

They send a hoax email pretending to be from a legitimate company and request you to click on a link. This will either install malicious software onto your computer or direct you to a false website, where you are asked to provide valuable private information. These details are then collected and fraudulently used.

If you have any doubts as to the legitimacy of an email always call the organization directly and verify that it is from them! Protect yourself by adhering to the following guidelines:

• Only open email attachments and links if you’re expecting them and know what they contain
• When responding to emails, never provide login details or personal information
• When accessing websites that require you to provide critical information, always type the regular URL into a fresh web browser (or use your favourites menu)
• Never enter personal information in a pop-up screen (phishers also use unauthorized pop-up screens to collect private details)
• Know that phishing can happen on the phone
• Protect your computer with spam filters, and up to date anti-virus and anti-spyware software
• Act immediately if you’ve been scammed and notify the organisation that has been fraudulently misrepresented

Scams and fraud exist on the internet. Responsible buying and selling is essential to reduce the risk of you being the victim of a scam.

It is difficult to define a "scam" as scammers are often sophisticated criminals, who invent new scams all the time.

An example of a recent scam is when a consumer is contacted by a scammer via SMS.

The SMS advises the consumer that they have won a prize. Often these SMS's appear to be from a company you have an existing relationship with. The SMS directs you to a website where you are asked to submit your personal and credit card details. Do not under any circumstances provide such information.

Please note that Carsales will never SMS you, or ask for your credit card details in this manner.

If you think you have seen a scam or have been scammed by a buyer or seller you can contact the Australian Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission:

• by phone on 1300 302 502; or
• by an online report by following the links on www.scamwatch.gov.au.

They can direct you to the best government agency depending on where you live and the type of scam.
You should also report the matter to our customer support team on (03) 9093 8666, Monday to Friday, 8.00 am – 7.00 pm or email us directly. You should always use this phone number or email, rather than any phone number or email that appeared in any suspected scam email you have received.

You should also contact the police if you have had your money or property stolen or been threatened or assaulted by a buyer or seller.

To keep up to date with the latest scams and what you can do to protect yourself visit www.scamwatch.gov.au.