At eRideList.com.au, we connect buyers, sellers, renters, and service providers for erides Australia (e.g., e-bikes, e-scooters, e-skateboards) and electric vehicles (EVs, including Hybrid EVs) across Australia. Your safety is our top priority, and scammers may target online trades. This FAQ outlines common scams, fake trades, phishing attempts, and suspicious activities to watch for, provides tips to stay secure, and explains who to contact if you suspect a scam.

Common Scams and Fake Trades

1. Fake Listings or Nonexistent Items

What It Is: Scammers post ads for erides or EVs that don’t exist, often at low prices, to trick buyers into sending deposits or payments.<
Applies To: Erides (e.g., fake e-scooter ads) and EVs (e.g., nonexistent Tesla listings).
How to Avoid:

• Inspect the eride or EV in person before paying.
• Be wary of sellers who avoid meeting, provide vague details, or push for quick payments.
• Check the seller’s profile for reviews, transaction history, or signs of a new account with no activity.

2. VIN Fraud or Cloning (EV-Specific)

What It Is: Scammers provide fake or cloned Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) for EVs to hide stolen, damaged, or debt-ridden vehicles.
Applies To: EVs and Hybrid EVs (not typically relevant for erides).
How to Avoid:

• Verify the VIN using trusted Australian services:
  • Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) ($2 fee) for debt, theft, or write-off history.
  • CarHistory ($36.95 for a detailed report).
• Ensure the VIN on the EV (dashboard or driver’s side door) matches the seller’s documents.
• Avoid deals where the seller refuses to provide a VIN or rushes the sale.

3. Phishing Scams

What It Is: Scammers send emails, SMS, or social media messages with links to fake eRideList login pages, payment portals, or apps, aiming to steal personal or financial details.
Applies To: Both erides and EVs.
How to Avoid:

• Never click links in unsolicited messages.
• Access eRideList directly by typing evclassifieds.com.au or evclassifieds.com.au into your browser, ensuring the URL starts with “https.”
• Report suspicious messages to su*****@***************om.au with screenshots or details.

4. Advance Payment or Deposit Scams

What It Is: Scammers request upfront payments (e.g., deposits, shipping fees) for an eride or EV, or ask sellers to ship their item before payment clears, then disappear.
Applies To: Erides (e.g., deposits for e-bikes) and EVs (e.g., shipping fees for cars).
How to Avoid:

• Do not send money or ship your eride/EV until you’ve inspected the item or confirmed payment through a secure method.
• Use trusted payment platforms with buyer/seller protection (e.g., PayPal, credit cards).
• Avoid wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency, as these are untraceable.

5. Overpayment Scams

What It Is: A buyer sends a fake payment (e.g., forged PayPal email or cheque) for more than the agreed price and asks for a refund of the difference, then the original payment is reversed.
Applies To: Both erides and EVs.
How to Avoid:

• Verify payments directly through your bank or payment platform.
• Never refund or send money until the payment is confirmed as legitimate and cleared.
• Be cautious of buyers pushing for quick refunds or claiming “accidental” overpayments.

6. Impersonation of eRideList Staff

What It Is: Scammers pose as eRideList team members, requesting payments, donations, or personal details via email, SMS, phone, social media, or in person.
Applies To: Both erides and EVs.
How to Avoid:

• eRideList will never request sensitive information or payments through these channels.
• Verify any communication by contacting us directly via our website or su*****@***************om.au.
• Report impersonation attempts immediately.

How to Stay Safe

For Erides

• Inspect Thoroughly: Meet in a safe, public location to inspect and test-ride the eride. Check for wear, battery health, and functionality (e.g., motor, brakes).
• Verify Condition: Ask for proof of purchase or maintenance records. Ensure the seller’s description matches the eride’s actual condition, including any repairs needed.
• Use Local Transactions: Prefer local meetups for eride trades to avoid shipping scams, as erides are often sold locally.
• Secure Payments: Use traceable payment methods with protection. Avoid cash for high-value erides to reduce risk.

For EVs and Hybrid EVs

• Check the VIN: Use PPSR or CarHistory to confirm the EV’s history, ownership, and status. Cross-check the VIN on the vehicle with paperwork.
• Professional Inspection: Arrange a pre-purchase inspection with a qualified mechanic or RedBook Inspect to assess battery health, software, and condition.
• Test Drive: Test-drive the EV in a safe location to verify performance, range, and features.
• Secure Payments: Use bank transfers or platforms with buyer protection for high-value EV purchases. Avoid paying until the vehicle is inspected and ownership is verified.

General Tips for Both

• Protect Your Information: Never share passwords, bank details, or identification (e.g., driver’s license) with unverified users. Use eRideList’s messaging system for communication.
• Be Cautious of Deals: If a price seems too good to be true (e.g., a high-end e-bike or Tesla at a steep discount), it’s likely a scam.
• Stay Informed: Visit Scamwatch.gov.au for the latest scam alerts and prevention tips tailored to Australia.

Who to Report a Scam To

If you suspect you’ve been scammed, report it immediately to maximize the chance of recovering funds or catching the scammer. Keep all evidence (e.g., emails, texts, payment receipts, screenshots).

1. eRideList Support

Why: To alert us about suspicious listings, users, or messages so we can investigate and protect other users.
How:

• Use the “Report” feature on the eRideList website or app (available on listing or user profile pages).
• Email su*****@***************om.au with details, including screenshots, messages, or the listing URL.
• What to Include: Describe the scam (e.g., fake e-bike listing, phishing email), the user’s profile or contact details, and any evidence (e.g., payment receipts).

2. Your Bank or Payment Provider

Why: To stop unauthorized transactions, request refunds, or report fraudulent payments if money was sent or financial details were compromised.
How:

• Contact your bank, credit card provider, or payment platform (e.g., PayPal) immediately via their fraud hotline or online banking portal.
• For PayPal, use the Resolution Centre to dispute unauthorized transactions.
• When: Act within 24–48 hours for the best chance of recovery.

3. Scamwatch (Australian Competition and Consumer Commission)

Why: To report the scam to Australia’s national consumer protection agency, which tracks scams and issues alerts.
How:

• Visit Scamwatch.gov.au and submit a report under “Report a Scam.”
• Provide details like the scammer’s contact information, payment method, and what happened.
• Why It Helps: Scamwatch uses reports to identify trends and warn others.

4. IDCARE (Australia and New Zealand Identity and Cyber Support Service)

Why: For free, confidential support if personal details (e.g., bank info, driver’s license) were compromised, to prevent identity theft.
How:

• Call 1800 595 160 or visit idcare.org.
• Work with IDCARE’s case managers to secure accounts and mitigate risks.
• When: Contact IDCARE if sensitive information was shared.

5. Local Police

Why: To file an official report for serious scams involving significant financial loss, stolen goods (e.g., an eride or EV), or threats.
How:

• Contact your local police station or call the non-emergency line (131 444 in most Australian states).
• For cybercrime, report via the ReportCyber portal.
• Provide all evidence, including communications and payment records.
• When: Report if the scam involves theft, fraud over $1,000, or criminal activity like harassment.

6. Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC)

Why: To report cyber scams like phishing emails, fake websites, or hacked accounts targeting eRideList users.
How:

• Submit a report at cyber.gov.au/report under “Report a Cybercrime.”
• Include links, emails, or screenshots of the scam attempt.
• Why It Helps: ACSC tracks cyber threats and may escalate serious cases to law enforcement.

How eRideList Communicates

The eRideList team will never:

• Ask for donations, payments, personal details, or login credentials via SMS, email, website links, social media, or in person.
• Send unsolicited links to login pages, payment portals, or apps.
• Request you to download software from unofficial sources.
• Pressure you to act quickly or share sensitive information.

All legitimate communications come from email addresses ending in @evclassifieds.com.au or through our official website (evclassifieds.com.au) and app. If you receive suspicious messages claiming to be from eRideList, do not respond or click links—report them to su*****@***************om.au immediately.

Additional Tips

• Act Quickly: Report scams as soon as possible to maximize recovery chances.
• Secure Your Accounts: Change passwords and enable multifactor authentication on eRideList and other accounts if you suspect a breach.
• Keep Evidence: Save all communications (e.g., emails, texts, eRideList messages), payment receipts, and screenshots of listings or profiles.

Resources

• VIN Checks: PPSR or CarHistory for EV ownership and history.
• Inspections: RedBook Inspect for professional EV assessments.
• Scam Alerts: Scamwatch.gov.au for up-to-date scam information.
• Support: Email su*****@***************om.au for help with suspicious activity or platform concerns.

By staying vigilant and following these guidelines, you can safely buy, sell, or rent erides and EVs on eRideList.com.au. We’re here to support you—contact us at su*****@***************om.au with any questions!