Play it safer online – Car Reviews, News & Advice

Scams and fraud exist on the internet. Responsible buying and selling is essential to reduce your risk.

These tips can help you reduce the possibility of fraud.

Communicating with CarPoint

As either a buyer or a seller on CarPoint, you will receive emails from the Carsales Network.

Unfortunately there are individuals who trick and mislead people to believe that they are dealing with CarPoint, when in fact they are not.

To help protect yourself from unauthorised emails remember:

we will never send you an email that asks you to confirm or provide personal information, your log in or password or request payment.
emails from CarPoint and Carsales will have a Carsales Network Website URL i.e. email@carsales.com.au.

Tips For Safer Selling

You can help to make selling a vehicle safer by following these tips:

Protect yourself against unauthorised access to your advertisement:
- only log on to your advertisement through a Carsales Network URL or address i.e. www.carsales.com.au
- never log on to your advertisement via a link in an email (even if the email looks like it's from us)
- If you do click on a link - check the website address carefully. Fake websites are sometimes created with similar addresses. Carsales Network web pages will always have a Carsales Network URL i.e. www.carpoint.com.au or www.carsales.com.au. If in doubt, log on to the Carsales Network Website manually
- If you think your advertisement has been accessed by an unauthorised person contact the Carsales customer support team on (03) 9093 8666, Monday to Friday, 8.00 am - 7.00 pm or email us directly
Protect yourself when selling your vehicle:
- find out who you are dealing with: ask for a name and contact phone number
- ring the number to check if it is legitimate
- before you agree to a test drive:
  - check your insurance - comprehensive insurance policies generally cover a test drive but you should check to make sure your insurance covers you
  - check the seller's insurance and write down the licence number - an accident may not be covered if the seller is un-insured
  - obtain something of value, i.e. keys as security for the test drive (even if you go along for the test drive)
  - before you go along for the test drive always consider whether it is safe to get in the vehicle
- if in doubt about a buyer don't rush into a test drive or a sale

Tips for Safer Buying

You can help to make buying a vehicle safer by following these tips:

Protect yourself against fake and fraudulent advertisements:
- don't rush to buy if the advertisement seems too good to be true
- be suspicious if a vehicle is advertised at a very low price
- find out who you are dealing with: ask for a name and contact phone number
- ring the number to check if it is legitimate
- before you buy, check the VEHICLE is still listed on www.carpoint.com.au and www.carsales.com.au (if we suspect an advertisement we will suspend or withdraw it from display)
- Electronic money transfers such as Western Union are not intended to be used to send money to strangers. Never pay a stranger by electronic funds transfer
- Never agree to deposit money in a bank account or via escrow unless completely sure the advertisement and seller are legitimate
- Carsales Network does not offer an 'escrow' or similar service
Protect yourself against buying a stolen or encumbered vehicle:
- obtain a Third Party inspection
- ALWAYS get independent advice
- if in doubt about a vehicle don't rush in to buy it
Research whether your State/Territory Road Traffic Authority has a Vehicle Securities Register which will generally allow you to check:
- Vehicle Registration Status
- Finance recorded against the vehicle
- Whether the vehicle is reported as stolen
Note that fees may apply.
If your State/Territory Road Traffic Authority can't provide you with these details or you would like further information on a vehicle then please consider purchasing a REVS Certificate. Click here for more details.

What is a scam?

It is difficult to define a "scam" as scammers are often sophisticated criminals, who invent new scams frequently.

It is important to note that the examples below are not exhaustive. Scammers invent new scams all the time. You should protect yourself by educating yourself on how to recognise, report and protect yourself from scams. Visit www.scamwatch.gov.au for more information.

An example of a common scam is "Phishing". Phishing scams include an attempt to criminally acquire sensitive information, such as usernames or passwords.

For example, you receive a fake email pretending to be from Carsales Support asking you to click on a link to 'confirm your Carsales username and password'. Carsales and CarPoint will never send you an email requesting you confirm your personal or login/password details. This email is not from Carsales or CarPoint.

Another example could be an apparently legitimate email enquiry in relation to a vehicle for sale from a 'buyer'. The email will ask you to click a link to view your vehicle, to confirm the vehicle they are interested in is yours. On clicking the link you are sent to a fake web page that looks like a CarPoint or Carsales page. This page then prompts you to login using your Carsales login and password details. This email is not from Carsales or CarPoint.

Report a Scam

If you think you have seen a scam or have been scammed by a buyer or seller you can contact the Australian Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission:

by phone on 1300 302 502; or
by an online report by following the links on www.scamwatch.gov.au

They can direct you to the best government agency depending on where you live and the type of scam.

You should also report the matter to Carsales by contacting the Carsales customer support team on (03) 9093 8666, Monday to Friday, 8.00 am - 7.00 pm or email us directly. You should always use this phone number or email, rather than any phone number or email that appeared in any suspected scam email you have received.

You should also contact the police if you have had your money or property stolen or been threatened or assaulted by a buyer or seller.

Learn More about How to Protect Yourself Online

To keep up to date with the latest scams and what you can do to protect yourself visit www.scamwatch.gov.au.