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 your scam here


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

Report spam here


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


Smishing (SMS) scams

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With the rise in use of mobile phones, Smishing scams are growing in popularity with fraudsters. Mobile users are being targeted by text messages from seemingly legitimate sources, such as a carsales network customer. These messages, like phishing scams, seek to dupe users into providing personal details or communicating via email.

What can you do to avoid these scams? There are a few things you can do to avoid taking the bait.

  1. Check the message hasn't come from an overseas number - messages sent from an Australian mobile phone will begin with +61. Legitimate looking messages from an international number are a tell tale sign the text is a scam.
  2. Be wary of text messages that encourage you to communicate via email. Now that you have the potential buyer phone number, we encourage you to communicate via a phone call rather than online.
  3. Check the message hasn't come from an automated mobile number - call the number to make sure it is active, rather than replying to the text.
  4. Don't click on links in text messages.
  5. Never use brokerage companies.
Here are some examples of the type of sms you might get:

   


Report it to us
Help us fight scams by alerting us to anything suspicious as soon as possible. If you've received an email or text message you believe to be from a false buyer we want to know about it. Contact us.

If you think you've received a scam by text message:
You can quickly and easily forward the suspicious text to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) for investigation. When you receive a text message that you think might be a scam, forward it to 0429 999 888, the dedicated telephone number for Spam SMS.