Online Shopping & Marketplace Scams in Australia 2025
Over $58 million lost to social media scams in 2024's first 10 months. Social media platforms now surpass email as the top retail scam channel. Learn to protect yourself on Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree.
A historic shift in scam tactics:
Over $58 million lost to social media scams in the first ten months of 2024 alone. More than 10,000 online shopping scams reported across Australia during that period. The average victim lost $250, but those numbers hide the full picture. For the first time in Australian scam history, social media and online forums (26.8% of reports) overtook traditional email (23.8%) and fake websites (22.9%) as the primary channels for retail fraud.
Platforms like Facebook Marketplace, Instagram Shopping, and Gumtree have become hunting grounds. The shift reflects how Australians shop now. We buy and sell through social platforms because they're convenient, local, and feel trustworthy. Scammers know this, and they've adapted faster than the platforms have caught up with protections.
The PayID Limit Scam
This one is sophisticated and specifically targets sellers on Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree. You list an item for sale. A buyer messages you, agrees to the price, and says they'll pay via PayID. Everything seems normal. Then you receive an email claiming the payment failed because your PayID has a limit on non-business accounts.
How the scam works:
The email looks official, complete with bank logos and professional formatting. It instructs you to upgrade to a business account by sending money to the buyer (typically $100 to $500), who will then supposedly include that amount with the item payment. The entire thing is fake. PayID has no transaction limits. There are no business account upgrades. Banks will never ask you to send money in order to receive money.
Critical rule:
If you receive any email about PayID limits, it's a scam. Don't trust the email. Log into your actual banking app to confirm whether payment was received. Spoiler: it wasn't.
Fake Courier and PACK & SEND Scams
Scammers impersonate buyers on Gumtree and Facebook Marketplace, claiming they'll arrange courier pickup through PACK & SEND or another delivery service. They send you links to payment portals that look legitimate but are complete fakes designed to steal your banking details. PACK & SEND has issued multiple warnings about this scam.
Protection steps:
If someone wants to arrange courier pickup, verify the arrangement directly through the official courier company website. Never click links provided by the buyer. Never enter your banking details on a site you reached through a marketplace message.
Non-Delivery Scams
This is the classic version. You find something you want to buy. You transfer money. You never receive the goods. The seller disappears or provides fake tracking numbers that go nowhere. These scams thrive on social media marketplaces where seller verification is minimal or nonexistent.
Common tactics:
Scammers often create multiple fake profiles to build false credibility. They post stolen photos of items they don't actually have. They use urgency tactics to pressure quick payment before you have time to think. If a deal seems too good to be true and the seller is pushing you to pay immediately, walk away.
Fake Website Clones
Scammers create websites that look nearly identical to legitimate Australian retailers. The domain names are similar enough to fool you at a glance: bunnings-warehouse.com.au instead of bunnings.com.au, or myer-online.com.au instead of myer.com.au. These spoofed sites offer products at unrealistic discounts to lure shoppers who think they've found an incredible deal.
What happens after you pay:
You receive nothing, you receive counterfeit goods worth a fraction of what you paid, or you have your credit card details stolen for ongoing fraudulent use. Sometimes all three. Always verify the exact domain name before entering payment information.
What to Watch For
Brand new profiles with no history or missing profile photos are immediate red flags.
Prices significantly below market value fall into the too-good-to-be-true category for a reason.
Off-platform communication via WhatsApp or email avoids safety features and evidence trails.
Payment via gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfer are guaranteed scams.
Urgency and pressure to act quickly are manipulation tactics.
Won't meet in person or allow inspection before payment.
Poor grammar and spelling in professional communications.
Domain names that don't match exactly are spoofed clones.
No ABN or verifiable business address means the business doesn't exist.
How to Protect Yourself
Meet in Public Safe Locations
Police stations often have designated exchange zones specifically for this purpose.
Use Secure Payment Methods
Use PayPal Goods and Services or other methods with buyer protection. Never pay via gift cards, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency.
Inspect Before Payment
Don't hand over cash until you've verified the item is exactly what was advertised.
Research Seller History
A seller with years of positive reviews is far less risky than a brand new account.
Verify Website Domains
Check the exact domain name character by character. Look for HTTPS padlock and legitimate contact information.
Use Reverse Image Search
Check if product photos are stolen from other listings using Google Images or TinEye.
PayID Safety Tips
PayID is legitimate and secure:
The system itself is safe. The problem is scammers exploit people's unfamiliarity with how it works.
PayID has no transaction limits. Anyone claiming your PayID has limits is scamming you.
You never need to pay fees to receive PayID payments.
Banks don't send emails about PayID upgrades or business accounts.
Always verify in your banking app:
Don't trust email confirmations. Log into your bank directly through the app or website you normally use to verify whether money has actually arrived. That's the only source of truth.
If You've Been Scammed
If you've lost money to an online shopping scam, act immediately. Time matters here.
Contact Your Bank Immediately
Report fraud and potentially stop transactions before they clear.
Report to the Platform
Report to Facebook, Gumtree, or eBay to get the scammer's profile removed and prevent them from targeting others.
Report to Authorities
Report to Scamwatch and ReportCyber .
Request Chargeback
If you paid by credit card, contact your card provider about chargeback options. You may be able to dispute the transaction and recover your money.
Contact IDCARE (If Identity Compromised)
If personal information was compromised, contact IDCARE at 1800 595 160 for free identity theft support.
Learn more about complete recovery steps after being scammed.