BoatPoint suggests you follow these tips for safer buying and selling on the internet. These should be used as a guide only and are intended to help maintain BoatPoint's reputation as a safe and dependable site for purchasing and selling boats.


LATEST ALERT

Fraudulent Escrow services claim
Buyers and sellers be aware that BoatPoint does NOT run or endorse any escrow service. A potential buyer was contacted direct by a seller using an email purporting to be from a BoatPoint escrow service and asking the buyer to deposit money for a purchase via the 'escrow service'. Beware - no such service exists. Please alert our Private Advertising Department if you receive any similar request/offer or if you are suspicious about any enquiry or advert on BoatPoint.com.au


QUICK TIPS
Buyers should use extra caution if the price is unusually low. If an item is listed significantly below the manufacturer's suggested retail price or used boat market value, take extra steps to verify the seller's claims. Be cautious with international sellers. If a dispute arises in the transaction, Australian laws may not apply to the international seller.

• Verify the buyer or seller's details for name, city, email and phone number. All should be easily supplied by the seller.
  
  
• Request Proof of Ownership. Private parties selling a boat should be able to produce evidence of Title, Registration, and on more recently manufactured boats, Hull Identification Number (HIN).
  
  
• Request Proof of Possession. Request information or photos only someone in possession of the boat could supply. Eg: request a specific photo not common to web postings or auctions (such as the actual HIN, or a close-up of a specific part).
  
  
• Be cautious if a seller is offering free shipping or relocation. Shipping a boat (even a trailerable boat) any distance can be costly and should be reflected in the selling price.
  
  
• Be aware not all scams are perpetrated by a seller. Sometimes buyers can be involved. Common traps include buyers claiming to pay by bank transfer or cheque for an amount more than required, then asking the seller to (re)pay the difference. Obviously, if the bank transfer fails or the cheque bounces you'll be out of pocket.
  
  
• If, after dealing with a buyer or seller, you are suspicious the offer is not genuine, or if you doubt an email message is from BoatPoint.com.au, please contact our Private Advertising Department

SPOOF EMAILS

• Be cautious of email messages that ask you to submit information such as your credit card number or passwords.
  
  
• Use caution when responding to any email that asks for your personal information. Report suspicious emails to our Private Advertising Department
  
  
• If you doubt a for-sale listing is genuine, please report it to our Private Advertising Department
  
  
• Do not respond to a suspicious email or click on any of the links in the email message. Please do not change the subject line or forward the email as an attachment.

If you have already responded to the suspicious email...

• Call your credit card company or lendor and tell them your account may be compromised. Follow any instructions provided by the financial institution.
  
  
• Call your bank and tell them that your account details may be compromised and provide details of how this occurred.
  
  
• Change your password on your email account.
  
  
• Change passwords on the relevant sites. If you cannot log into your accounts, contact the webmaster or relevant party to arrange a password change.
  
  
• Contact the websites involved. Contact BoatPoint.com.au and forward a copy of the email which led to the problem.
  
  
• Make a report to the Police.

To report a scam or for information relating to email spam, visit www.scamwatch.gov.au