SEEK Commercial endeavours to ensure that all ads on our site are for legitimate business opportunities and removes, when identified, ads that contravene the SEEK Commercial Terms of Use.
Illegal ads that ask for personal or financial information occasionally appear on online classified sites. Sometimes emails are also sent by people masquerading as advertisers requesting that you supply personal details.
What to look out for
Be wary of advertisers requesting the following information in their ad :
- Bank or credit card details
- Drivers licence information
- Tax File Number
- Non business-related personal information, such as your appearance, marital status
Business opportunities that seem to good to be true, usually are. Avoid business sellers who ask you to:
- Forward, transfer, or 'wire' money to another person using a personal bank account
- Transfer money and retain a portion for payment
- Pay an up front fee for 'processing' your application
- Start a business without any contact (either in person or by phone)
What to do if you suspect an ad or email
If you have any concerns about the legitimacy of an ad or email from SEEK Commercial:
- Look the company up in the White Pages and call to verify the ad
- Make sure you have up-to-date anti-virus software to protect your computer
- Contact SEEK Commercial immediately with a link to the ad or a copy of the email.
If you feel you may have been the victim of fraud contact the Australian Federal Police.
Helpful resources
FIDO – ASIC acts against financial scams, including online schemes.
Australian High Tech Crime Centre – Learn more about online scams and report fraud and phishing crimes.
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission – Types of scams and what you can do to protect yourself.