Scam Defence
Stop the scammers. Report it.

If you think you've seen or received something suspicious, we want to know about it.

Report a Scam
If you think you have been in contact with a dodgy buyer or seller, we'd like to know about it.

Report a scam here


Report Spam
If you're receiving lots of junk mail we'd like to know about it so we can investigate why.

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5 Rules of Online Safety

Don't forget the 5 golden rules of browsing and buying online:

1. Have up-to-date antivirus software
2. Have up-to-date firewall software
3. Choose a secure password
4. Always log off when you're done
5. Most importantly...

If it looks too good to be true, then it probably is!

Buyer Safety

Seller Safety


False PayPal Payment Scam

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Be wary of buyers who claim to be from overseas or interstate and offer to buy your item sight unseen, who require you - the seller - to pay a deposit, or who offer to pay more than the asking price for the item. Do not accept “proof” of payment from the buyer. Always independently verify with your bank, PayPal or other account that the funds have been received by personally logging in and checking the account yourself.

Sellers have been targeted in a scam involving false buyers and fake PayPal transactions.

An email scam is being circulated with a fabricated PayPal receipt showing a deposit has been made to the recipient’s account for the full amount of the item and additional shipping agents payment.

Sellers who have legitimately placed an advertisement have been approached by interstate or overseas buyers who, at first, appear genuine. The false buyer asks a series of standard questions and has often negotiated a lower price with the seller. When the deal is done, the bogus buyer asks the seller to open a PayPal account to receive a transfer of funds.

The bogus buyer then increases the urgency of the sale, and provides seemingly reasonable reasons for not inspecting the vehicle or completing a test drive.

These include:

  1. Purchasing the vehicle/motorbike/boat as a surprise gift
  2. A family member was in a vehicle/motorbike/boat accident and needs a replacement urgently
  3. They are currently working interstate or overseas and will be returning soon, or
  4. They work off-shore
Sellers will then receive a fabricated PayPal email confirming the funds have been deposited but cannot be released until they send money by wire transfer to a fictitious freight company.

Here’s an example of the type of email you might get: