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How to better spot and avoid online marketplace scams

Online buying and selling scams are on the rise in Australia1. Learn warning signs and simple steps to help protect your money.

  • Scammers on online platforms use low prices, urgency and desirable or rare items to convince you to pay, but will never give you what you paid for.
  • Research sellers, check reviews and try to inspect items in person before buying.
  • Be sceptical of profiles that list multiple of the same item or where you cannot see their seller reviews.

Knowing what to look for when facing online scams can help you stay safe. Many begin with something as innocent as scrolling through a marketplace ad, which is why arming yourself with knowledge is one of the best defences for protecting your hard-earned money.

In many cases, the listing looks legit, the price feels like a steal and before you know it, you’re sending someone money for something that was never real. Take this all-too-common example: a litter of picture-perfect puppies offered at a suspiciously low price. The seller insists you pay quickly (via bank transfer or crypto) to secure your spot. Unfortunately, the pet never existed. 

Then there’s the intriguing car ad from a supposed FIFO worker. They’ll tell you the vehicle is in storage and can be shipped as soon as you pay. It’s the perfect cover—no inspection, no questions. Unfortunately, no car, either.

Another classic example is the “authentic” designer bag listed at a price that’s too good to be true. The listing features professional-looking photos and promises an item in near-new condition. The seller is friendly but firm—they’ll only accept a bank transfer and urge you to act fast because “someone else is interested”. You pay. The bag never arrives or you get a cheap fake. By then, the seller and your money are long gone.

So how can you better protect yourself? CommBank scams and fraud expert James Roberts recommends the stop, check, reject approach: “Stop and think. Check how long the seller’s been active and read their reviews. If something seems off or the payment method is unusual, reject the deal.” 

If you must buy something without physically seeing it, ask for more images or even a video call to confirm the item is really in the seller’s possession. Pay particular attention to the CommBank app when you are paying, too. If the seller’s name doesn’t match, the app will tell you. This could mean the account you’re paying is owned by someone else, which is a red flag.

Visit CommBank Safe for more information.

To learn more about keeping your finances secure, stream The Brighter Side on 10.

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Published: 27 October 2025

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1Australian Bureau of Statistics, Scams and card fraud on the rise, 2 April 2025

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