Why should I keep conversations in carsales?

Keeping your messages and calls in carsales can help protect yourself, your money and your personal information while making it easier to identify, review and report suspicious activity.

Sometimes a conversation can be closed by carsales. This can happen because of a variety of reasons including when potential scam activity is detected.

Scammers may try to move conversations to email, SMS or other messaging apps where they can’t be monitored. This is one of the more common warning signs of a scam.

Be very cautious if the person also sends suspicious links, requests unexpected payments or pressures you to act quickly.

Using carsales messages and in-app calls means you’re more protected by built-in safety measures designed to help detect and prevent scams.

• Keep your details private: Your personal phone number will only be displayed if you opt to have it shown. We will never display your email address.

• Safer calls through the app: Make and receive calls without sharing your phone number. You’ll always see who’s calling and which car they’re calling about before you pick up.

• Help keep scammers out: Our systems help filter suspicious users and reduce the risk of scam messages being sent to you.

• A clear record of communication: All your messages and call history is in one place which helps make it easier to review and report anything that seems suspicious.

• Report suspicious behaviour: You can report a buyer or seller directly from the conversation. We use this feedback to help identify suspicious activity.
  
  Dealers can also call buyers through the carsales app.

Whether you’re buying or selling, be cautious when someone:

• Refuses to speak on the phone or meet in person, inspect the car or confirm their identity

• Tries to move the chat to email rather than keeping it in carsales.

• Asks you to use a payment, inspection or car history website they provide

• Asks for upfront money for freight, inspection or holding fees.

• Sends an unexpected link or QR code

• Asks for passwords, verification codes or banking login details

• Provides information that does not match the ad or earlier messages

• Pressures you to act quickly or uses threats

• Makes an offer that seems unusually generous or accepts an offer unusually quickly.

If any of this sounds familiar, we recommend pausing, and contacting our customer service team for more advice.

If someone’s behaviour doesn’t feel right, or you think you may be dealing with a scammer:

1. Stay within carsales. Switching to another platform makes it difficult for us to police.

2. Don’t click any hyperlinks or scan QR codes that have been sent via email or SMS, even if it appears to come from carsales

3. Don’t share personal or financial information unless you’re using carsales payments (which is within the carsales website/app user experience)

4. Report the message directly from the conversation. Keep screenshots or other records of any communication that occurred outside carsales, as these may be helpful if further investigation is required.

5. If in doubt, call us on 13 72 53. We’ve got your back!

The payment process can differ depending on whether you’re buying privately or from a dealer.

If the car is eligible, you can pay through carsales. Buyers and sellers complete ID verification*, helping provide a more secure way to make and receive payment.

Learn how pay through carsales works

Before releasing the funds, inspect the car and make sure you’re satisfied with the purchase. Payments cannot be reversed after the buyer releases the funds and the seller accepts them.

Follow the dealer’s official payment process. Confirm that payment instructions have come from the dealership using the contact details shown on carsales or the dealer’s official website.

If payment details change unexpectedly, contact the dealership using a number you have verified before transferring any money.

If you believe you’ve encountered a scammer or received a suspicious message:

• Contact our customer service team and provide screenshots or details of the communication.

• We’ll investigate and provide further guidance if required.

If something doesn’t feel right, you can report a buyer or seller directly from your conversation. Reports are confidential. They can help us identify suspicious activity and keep the carsales community safer.

You can also:

• Report suspicious contact or activity to Scamwatch or call 1300 302 502

• Report a cybercrime through ReportCyber if money or personal information has been stolen, or someone has attempted to extort you.

• Contact your bank immediately if you have transferred money or shared financial information.

• Call 000 if anyone is in immediate danger.

Keeping conversations in carsales gives you a clear record and makes suspicious behaviour easier to report. However, the communication channel alone does not tell you whether someone is genuine.

Check who you’re dealing with, question unexpected requests and pause before sharing information or sending money.

Any information on this page is provided as a guide only. It is not professional or expert advice and is not a substitute for such advice. The content may not be appropriate, correct or sufficient for your circumstances and should not be relied on as the only reason you do or don’t do anything.