- Here
are some basic precautions when dealing with email enquiries or responding
to internet advertisements. Although there are exceptions, be careful
of public email enquiries (e.g. from Yahoo.com or Hotmail.com); interstate
or international customers and people who don't provide local phone
number.
| AUSTRALIAN GOVERMENT
SCAM WATCH INFORMATION SERVICE:
- Australian Consumer Fraud Taskforce
- Learn about the latest scams, read victim stories, find out how to protect yourself from scams.
- Report a scam: phone the ACCC Infocentre on
1300 302 502 (8.30 am - 6 pm)
or email ACT, NSW, VIC, SA, WA, SA, NT, TAS State Office of
Fair Trading are (details shown below)
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GUIDELINES
FOR INTERNET SELLERS (advertisers)
- WHEN YOU ADVERTISE ON
THE INTERNET AND RECEIVE EMAIL ENQUIRIES, do
not respond to emails that look suspicious for whatever reason:
- INTERSTATE ENQUIRY:
if the enquirer is from interstate, make sure you obtain their
full name, address and phone number. Then talk to the seller over
the phone (NOT just email).
- OVERSEAS ENQUIRY: if
the enquirer is outside Australia - the enquiry is probably not genuine
- PUBLIC EMAIL ENQUIRY:
if the enquirer's
email is a public free email such as Yahoo.com or Hotmail.com - be
wary as they could be anyone and could be anywhere! So ask for full
name, address and phone number
- YOUR BANK ACCOUNT DETAILS:
do not provide your bank account details under any circumstance, unless
you've met the buyer in person and agreed on a sale through face to
face negotiation.
- If in doubt, do not respond.
A genuine customer will want to see the item and talk to you after
the initial email.
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| GUIDELINES
FOR INTERNET BUYERS
- WHEN YOU RESPOND TO INTERNET
ADS, be aware of the following warning signs:
- EXCEPTUALLY LOW PRICE:
If an ad looks too good to be true - that is the price is way
below the prevailing market price - BEWARE, it may be a scam
- DO NOT SEND ANY MONEY:
unless you've personally inspected the item and negotiated face to
face meeting with the seller, do not send any deposit money to an
advertiser
- INTERSTATE ADVERTISER:
if the seller is interstate, make sure you obtain their full name,
address and phone number. Then talk to the seller over the phone (NOT
just email).
- OVERSEAS ADVERTISER:
if the seller is based outside Australia - it is likely to be
a scam, so do not respond
- CONTACT PHONE NUMBER:
a genuine seller typically provides a contact phone number. If the
ad only shows public email address (e.g Yahoo.com, Hotmail.com etc)
be wary. Ask for a local phone number and talk to the seller.
- PHOTOS: treat internet
photos with caution unless they clearly display unique id such as
local registration number. A genuine advertiser will let you come
and inspect the item.
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