Online marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree are convenient for finding a deal or selling pre-loved items. But they’ve also become hotspots for scammers pretending to be genuine buyers or sellers.
What is a buying and selling scam? #
Scammers target people on platforms like Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree, and even Instagram by pretending to be legitimate buyers or sellers.
They may:
- Offer to buy your item and trick you into giving away money or personal info
- List fake items for sale that never arrive
- Send links that lead to fake banking or payment pages
- Pressure you into quick decisions
How these scams work #
Scammers can target you as both the buyer or the seller.
When you’re the seller #
You’ve listed something for sale. A scammer might:
- Ask for your email or phone number to “send payment”
- Send you a fake payment notification that looks like it’s from your bank
- Share a link that asks you to “accept payment” — but it’s a phishing link
- Say they’ve accidentally paid you too much and request a refund
They’ll often create a sense of urgency and use terms like “PayID”, “instant transfer” or “payment pending” to confuse you.
When you’re the buyer #
You spot a listing for an item you want but:
- The seller avoids meeting in person
- You’re asked to pay upfront via bank transfer or PayID
- The ad uses stock photos or vague product details
- There’s no tracking or proof the item was ever sent
- New profile with no history
Once you’ve paid, they stop replying and the item never arrives.
Signs it could be a scam #
- A deal that seems too good to be true
- Unusual payment methods (like gift cards, crypto or links)
- Requests to move the conversation off the platform
- Fake payment receipts or confirmation emails
- Pressure to act quickly
- Poor grammar or overly generic messages
What to do if you’re unsure #
- Stop, don’t send money or share personal info
- Don’t click links or enter info into unexpected websites
- Reverse image search the product photo
- Contact the platform directly to report the scam
- If you’ve shared your bank details or paid money, contact your bank immediately
Tips to stay safe #
- Meet in person for local pickups where you can
- Use secure and trackable payment options
- Never share your Secure code or internet banking login
- Be suspicious of overpayments or rushed communication
- Stick to messages within the app where possible
Stop. Check. Protect. #
Scammers are smart, but you can be smarter. Before you buy or sell anything online, take a moment to stop and check that everything adds up.
Visit mystate.com.au/myprotectionhub for scam updates and tips to protect your money.