How to stay safe when buying and selling online

Online marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree and eBay have become part of everyday life for many Victorians and it's easy to see why. You can pick up a second-hand dining table, sell last season's clothes or find a bargain for your outdoor dining area all from your phone. But with that convenience comes real risk.

According to the ACCC's Scamwatch, Australians lost around $2.18 billion to scams in 2025, with online marketplace fraud making up a significant share. Scammers are getting more sophisticated and they're targeting everyday buyers and sellers just like you.

The good news? Knowing what to look out for makes a big difference.

How Scammers Operate

Scammers can pose as both buyers and sellers. Here are the most common tricks used on platforms like Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree:

As a fake seller, they might:

• List items at suspiciously low prices to grab your attention fast
• Claim they're overseas or interstate and can only post the item then disappear once you've paid
• Send phishing links via Messenger or SMS asking you to "verify" a payment

As a fake buyer, they might:

• Send a fake bank transfer screenshot claiming they've "already paid"
• Say they accidentally overpaid and ask you to refund the difference - then the original payment never arrives or gets reversed
• Ask you to "upgrade your PayID" by clicking a suspicious link

Common phrases used to trick you:

1. "I'm currently overseas but my driver will pick it up" 
2. "I've paid  here's my receipt, can you send the refund for the overpayment?" 
3. "There's a lot of interest, you need to pay now to hold it" 
4. "I only use PayID — can you set it up? Here's the link"

If any of these sound familiar, trust your instincts.

7 Tips to Protect Yourself

1. If it looks too good to be true, it probably is! A brand new iPhone for $150 or a couch listed at a fraction of its value are classic lures. Check market value before you get excited.
2. Check the seller's profile. Look for recently created accounts, stock profile photos, no reviews, or duplicate listings with slightly different names. A legitimate seller will usually have a history of activity.
3. Never pay before you've seen the item. Avoid upfront payments for anything you can't inspect first — especially electronics, appliances and vehicles. If buying something to be posted, ask for multiple photos, a live video, or an original receipt.
4. Use secure payment methods. PayPal offers dispute resolution if something goes wrong. Avoid gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency or payments split across multiple accounts.
5. Always verify payment yourself. If you're selling, don't rely on a screenshot or receipt from a buyer. Check your own bank account to confirm cleared funds before handing anything over. 
6. Meet in a safe, public place. Victoria Police has set up 35 safer exchange sites across the state (locations like police station car parks specifically for marketplace transactions). Choose somewhere well-lit, busy and ideally covered by CCTV. Bring someone with you.
7. Don't let anyone rush you. Scammers deliberately create urgency - "someone else is interested," "I need this sorted today." The ACCC's National Anti-Scam Centre reminds us: when we're rushed or stressed, our natural caution drops. Slow down and if something feels off, walk away.

What to Do If You've Been Scammed

Act quickly. The sooner you move, the better your chances of mitigating the damage.

• Call your bank immediately and ask them to stop any further transactions
• Change your passwords for banking, email and any online shopping accounts on your devices
• Report it to Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au - even if you spotted the scam and didn't lose money, your report helps protect others
• Report to Consumer Affairs Victoria or contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 if you'd like to involve police