Car Sale Scams in Australia – What Every Seller Must Know

Posted by: AR Autos Perth | Category: Car Selling Tips

Selling your car online through platforms like Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree, or Carsales can be convenient, but also risky. Scammers across Australia are becoming smarter and more convincing. At AR Autos Perth, we want to help you stay protected. Here’s a detailed guide on common and new scams affecting car sellers and how to stay safe.

1. Vehicle History Report Scam

Scammers ask you to buy a vehicle history report from a fake website (like motorhistoryhub.com), then disappear once you pay. These sites are designed to steal your card details or personal information.

✅ Use only trusted services like the official PPSR
🔗 https://www.ppsr.gov.au

2. Fake Interstate/Overseas Buyer Scam

A scammer claims to be an interstate or overseas buyer and offers to buy the car without inspection. They ask you to pay for shipping or insurance upfront, promising to reimburse you. After payment, they disappear.

🚫 Never pay upfront fees to buyers for transport or insurance.

3. Overpayment Scam

The buyer sends more than the agreed price and asks you to refund the excess. Later, the original payment is canceled or fake, leaving you at a loss.

⚠️ Only accept cleared payments. Never refund extra amounts.

4. Bounced Cheque or Mover Fee Scam

Scammers pay by cheque and ask you to pay their “mover.” The cheque later bounces, and you lose the money you sent.

🔒 Wait for full clearance before handing over cash, keys, or car.

5. PayID / PayPal Email Scam

You may receive fake emails saying you need to pay an "account upgrade" or "release" fee to receive funds via PayID or PayPal. These emails are fake and meant to steal your money or details.

🚫 PayID and PayPal never charge release or upgrade fees.

🔗 https://payid.com.au
🔗 https://www.paypal.com/au/webapps/mpp/security/buyer-protection

6. New Scam Alert: Photo & Video Misuse

A new scam involves a fake buyer visiting your place, pretending to be interested, and taking detailed photos and videos of your car. These are later used to:

• Create fake listings on Facebook, Gumtree, etc.

• Apply for fraudulent loans or insurance

• Trick other buyers into paying deposits for your car

🚨 You may not know your car is being used this way until it's too late.

Protect yourself:

• Don’t allow unsupervised filming or photographing

• Blur number plates in online listings

• Watermark your photos

• Avoid sharing rego papers or your address too early

• Record the name and number of anyone inspecting your car

General Tips to Stay Safe

✔️ Meet buyers in public places, never alone
✔️ Verify payments have cleared before handing over anything
✔️ Avoid buyers who rush, overpay, or have complicated requests
✔️ Use trusted platforms for communication and payments
✔️ Trust your gut—if something feels off, it probably is

Report a Scam or Get Help

🛡️ Report scams to Scamwatch
🔗 https://www.scamwatch.gov.au

🆘 Get support from IDCARE (for identity theft or misuse)
🔗 https://www.idcare.org

🧾 Report fake listings on:

• Facebook Marketplace

• Gumtree Australia

• Carsales

Final Thoughts from AR Autos Perth

Selling your car should be safe, easy, and stress-free. Staying informed about these scams can help protect you from serious financial and legal trouble.

If you’d prefer to sell your car directly to a licensed dealer with no hassle or risk, we’re here to help.

Contact AR Autos Perth Today
🌐 www.arautos.com.au