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Safety Tips

Your safety is our priority. Follow these guidelines to protect yourself when buying or selling.

Safe Trading Tips

Most transactions on AuslankaServices are safe and successful. Follow these simple guidelines to keep your experience positive.

General Safety Guidelines

Meet in Public Places

Always meet buyers or sellers in well-lit, public locations. Consider meeting at police stations, shopping centers, or busy cafes.

Bring a Friend

Consider bringing someone with you when meeting to exchange items, especially for high-value transactions.

Inspect Before Buying

Always inspect items in person before making payment. Test electronics, check vehicles, and verify the condition matches the description.

Trust Your Instincts

If something feels wrong or too good to be true, trust your gut. Walk away from deals that make you uncomfortable.

Warning Signs & Red Flags

Be cautious if someone:

Requests Payment Before Meeting

Never send money, gift cards, or make online payments before seeing the item or service in person.

Offers Deals Too Good to Be True

Extremely low prices, especially on high-value items, are often scams. Research fair market prices.

Refuses to Meet in Person

Be wary of sellers who won't meet face-to-face or insist on shipping only, especially for local items.

Pressures You to Act Quickly

Scammers create urgency. Take your time to make decisions and verify information.

Asks for Personal Information

Never share your bank account details, passwords, or sensitive personal information.

Payment Safety

Use Cash for Local Transactions

Cash is the safest payment method for in-person exchanges. Count it carefully before completing the transaction.

Secure Bank Transfers

If using bank transfer, verify the item first. Be aware that bank transfers can be difficult to reverse.

Never Send Money Overseas

Avoid wire transfers, Western Union, or cryptocurrency payments to unknown parties. These are nearly impossible to reverse.

Beware of Overpayment Scams

If someone sends you more money than agreed and asks you to refund the difference, it's likely a scam.

Communication Safety

Keep Communication on Platform

Initially communicate through AuslankaServices messaging to maintain a record of your conversations.

Protect Your Privacy

Don't share your home address in public ads. Use general location information (suburb or region).

Phone Calls Are OK

Once you've established trust, phone calls can help verify legitimacy. Use your judgment about sharing your number.

Category-Specific Tips

Vehicles & Real Estate

  • Always verify ownership documents (registration, title deeds)
  • Conduct a professional inspection or vehicle history check
  • For property, use licensed real estate agents and solicitors
  • Never hand over money without proper legal documentation

Jobs & Services

  • Verify business credentials and licenses where applicable
  • Check reviews and references from previous clients
  • Get written quotes and contracts before work begins
  • Never pay full amount upfront; use milestone payments

Electronics & High-Value Items

  • Test all functions and features before buying
  • Check for warranty, receipts, and proof of purchase
  • Verify serial numbers to ensure items aren't stolen
  • Be cautious of brand new items at heavily discounted prices

Report Suspicious Activity

If you encounter suspicious ads, scams, or fraudulent activity, please report it immediately:

Additional Resources

Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC): accc.gov.au

Scamwatch: scamwatch.gov.au

IDCare (Identity & Cyber Support): idcare.org

Stay Safe, Trade Smart

Following these simple guidelines will help ensure your experience on AuslankaServices is safe, secure, and successful. Remember: if something doesn't feel right, trust your instincts.