How to Avoid Scams on Facebook Marketplace & Gumtree

Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree have become two of the most active platforms for private car sales in Australia.

While many genuine sellers use these platforms, they also attract a significant number of scams, fake listings and high-risk transactions.

 

This guide explains the most common scam types in Australia and provides clear steps to stay safe when searching for a used vehicle online.

 

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1. Understand Why Scams Are Common on Marketplace and Gumtree

 

Private-sale platforms allow anyone to create listings with minimal verification.

Compared to Carsales or dealer networks, Marketplace and Gumtree:

• attract more inexperienced sellers

• have weaker identity verification

• have higher volumes of transient or short-term accounts

• are used more often by scammers from overseas or using VPNs

• contain a higher proportion of under-market-value listings

 

Because of this environment, buyers must assume every listing is unverified until proven otherwise.

 

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2. The Most Common Scam Types in Australia

 

Below are the scam patterns AUCN sees most frequently across private-sale platforms.

 

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1. The Price Too Good To Be True Listing

 

A car listed far below market value is one of the clearest scam indicators.

Common examples include:

• a near-new SUV listed several thousand dollars under market

• prestige cars priced at half their normal value

• sellers claiming "urgent sale" or "moving overseas"

 

These listings are often used to bait buyers into sending deposits.

 

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2. Fake Seller Profile or Long-Distance Story

 

Scammers often claim:

• they are overseas

• they work in the military

• they are on a FIFO job

• the car belongs to a relative

• they cannot meet in person

 

These stories are designed to avoid face-to-face interaction.

 

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3. Stolen Vehicle With Cloned Plates

 

Scammers steal a vehicle and attach plates copied from a similar registered car.

The listing then appears legitimate at first glance.

 

Warning signs include:

• inconsistent VIN

• mismatch between rego and advertised details

• seller refuses to provide VIN

• seller avoids inspections

 

A PPSR/REVS check exposes cloned-plate scams immediately.

 

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4. Deposit or Holding Fee Request

 

Scammers ask for:

• a deposit to "hold" the vehicle

• a transport fee

• payment through a fake escrow service

• a refundable amount to secure the car

 

Once paid, the seller disappears.

 

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5. Fake Service Books or Altered Odometer

 

Some sellers edit logbooks or roll back odometers to increase resale value.

This is common in low-cost imports, high-kilometre fleet cars and private sales in states with lighter regulation.

 

Warning signs include:

• missing stamps

• inconsistent handwriting

• service locations far from seller's suburb

• wear and tear inconsistent with kilometers

 

AUCN's odometer consistency analysis helps detect these patterns.

 

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6. Recently Created Facebook or Gumtree Account

 

Scammers regularly create new accounts each week.

Warning signs include:

• no profile photo

• no friends or activity

• no previous listings

• account created within the past few months

• multiple unrelated items for sale

 

A legitimate car seller usually has a long-standing profile.

 

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7. Seller Refuses Proper Inspection or Test Drive

 

Common excuses include:

• "I don't have time today"

• "Test drive only after deposit"

• "You can view the car but not drive it"

• "Meet me at a random car park"

 

Legitimate sellers allow reasonable inspections.

 

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3. How To Investigate a Listing Safely

 

Follow these steps before committing to anything.

 

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Step 1. Request the VIN or Rego Number Immediately

 

A genuine seller provides it without hesitation.

If they refuse, stop the conversation.

 

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Step 2. Run a PPSR/REVS Check

 

This reveals:

• finance owing

• stolen status

• written-off history

• identity inconsistencies

 

Most scams fail at this step.

 

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Step 3. Review the Seller's Profile Carefully

 

Check:

• age of account

• past activity

• seller location

• other items for sale

• public comments or warnings

 

Short-term accounts carry the highest risk.

 

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Step 4. Reverse Search the Photos

 

Many scam listings use stolen photos from old Carsales ads.

Search the image online or check whether the background looks Australian.

 

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Step 5. Compare with Similar Listings

 

If the price is noticeably below market value, it is usually a scam or a high-risk vehicle.

 

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Step 6. Ask Direct Questions

 

Example questions:

• How long have you owned the car?

• Do you have service receipts?

• When was the last major service?

• Has the car ever been in an accident?

• Can I see the VIN on the vehicle in person?

 

Scammers avoid specifics or respond vaguely.

 

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4. Safe Meeting and Payment Practices

 

When ready to inspect the car:

• meet at a safe, public location

• bring a friend if possible

• inspect in daylight

• verify the seller's ID

• compare VIN on car with PPSR document

• verify that the seller is the legal owner

 

For payment:

• use bank transfer or PayID

• never use cash deposits or wire transfers

• never send money before viewing

• always obtain a written receipt with full legal names

 

Do not let the seller pressure you into rushing the transaction.

 

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5. AUCN Advice: How To Stay Safe on Marketplace & Gumtree

 

Three rules reduce risk by more than ninety percent:

1. Always run a PPSR/REVS check before meeting.

2. Always verify the seller's identity and account history.

3. Never pay anything before inspecting the vehicle and documents.

 

Marketplace and Gumtree can be excellent sources of well-priced cars, but only for buyers who verify everything.

 

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6. Final AUCN Recommendation

 

Use this sequence for maximum safety:

 

PPSR Check

AUCN Car Report

Seller verification

Full inspection

Test drive

Secure payment

Immediate rego transfer

 

Following this process protects buyers from almost all common online car-sale scams in Australia.