Scams & fraud
How to buy and sell safely on Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree
Selling an old couch or buying a second-hand bike online is usually straightforward. But marketplaces attract scammers on both sides of the deal, with tricks designed around how Australians actually pay. A few simple rules cover almost all of them.
The short version
Safe trading rules
- Meet in person and inspect the item before paying.
- Keep all messages on the platform.
- PayID never asks you to pay to “upgrade” your account.
- Never click payment links sent by a buyer.
Scams that target sellers
The fake PayID email
A buyer agrees to your price without haggling, then says they’ve paid by PayID. You get an email that looks like it’s from PayID or your bank saying the payment is on hold because you need to “upgrade to a business account”, and the buyer offers to cover the cost if you send them the fee.
PayID doesn’t send emails like this, and there’s no such upgrade. Payments by PayID go straight into your account. Check your banking app. If the money isn’t there, you haven’t been paid.
The courier pickup
The buyer is interstate or overseas and will send a courier. They ask you to pay the courier fee upfront and promise to reimburse you, or send a link to a fake courier site that asks for your card details.
The overpayment
A buyer “accidentally” pays too much and asks you to refund the difference. The original payment later disappears, or never existed.
The verification code
A buyer asks you to read out a code they’ve sent to your phone “to prove you’re real”. It’s actually a code to take over your account or set up a service in your name.
Scams that target buyers
- The item doesn’t exist. The seller asks for a deposit or full payment before you see it, often with a sob story or a reason they can’t meet.
- Too-good-to-be-true prices on popular items like phones, consoles, cars, rental properties and pets.
- Fake payment protection. The seller suggests a “secure” third-party escrow site that’s actually theirs.
- Rental scams. A property is listed below market rate, and you’re asked to pay a bond or rent before inspecting it.
Safe trading rules
| Rule | Why |
|---|---|
| Meet in person in a safe public place | You can inspect the item and pay on the spot. Some police stations offer safe trading zones. |
| Inspect before you pay | No deposits for items you haven’t seen. |
| Keep messages on the platform | Scammers move to WhatsApp or email to avoid being reported and to send fake links. |
| Check payments in your banking app | Not in emails or screenshots from the buyer. |
| Don’t click links from the other person | Payment and courier links are the most common trap. |
| Never share codes sent to your phone | They’re for you only. |
| Check the profile | Brand-new profiles, no friends or ratings, and odd locations are warning signs. |
Cash or an instant bank transfer, in person
For most local trades, cash or a bank transfer you confirm in your banking app while standing together is simplest and safest.
If something has gone wrong
- Paid a scammer: call your bank immediately. If you paid by card, ask about a chargeback.
- Entered card details on a fake site: call your bank to block the card.
- Shared a verification code: secure the account it relates to straight away, and change your password.
- Report the profile to the marketplace.
- Report it to Scamwatch and, if you lost money, ReportCyber.
Common questions
The buyer sent a screenshot showing they paid. Is that enough?
No. Screenshots are easy to fake. Only trust your own banking app.
Is it safe to give out my PayID to a buyer?
Your PayID (usually your phone number or email) only lets people pay you. Sharing it is generally fine. The scam is the fake email that follows.
Can I use the marketplace’s own payment system?
If the platform offers built-in payments with purchase protection, it can be safer for shipped items. Read its protection terms first.
Sources
This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice. If you think you’ve lost money or personal information, contact your bank and the services named above straight away.
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