Avoiding private-sale scams in Australia
•By The Vaultly Team
Most private-sale scams are not sophisticated. They rely on urgency, an unverifiable payment claim, and a buyer or seller who wants the deal to work.
Red flags to watch for
- Pressure to pay immediately or lose the item
- A request to move the conversation off-platform
- A bank transfer screenshot offered as proof of payment
- A counterparty who refuses to put the terms in writing
Simple checks that work
Confirm the item exists and matches the listing. Insist on written terms covering the deposit amount and refund conditions. Never rely on a screenshot as proof of payment — only a verified record counts.
Why a shared record matters
When both sides can see the same timestamped record of the deposit, the most common scam patterns simply stop working. That is the core of what Vaultly provides.