I've received a suspicious enquiry - what should I do?
It is generally safe to reply to an enquiry via email, but it is never safe to click unknown links or share financial data.
A note on enquiries that arrive the moment you go live: these are usually not spam. Real estate agents watch for new private listings and often make contact within minutes. They're worth a reply — see Why am I getting enquiries from real estate agents straight after listing?.
How to spot a scam enquiry
A scammer will usually reveal themselves very quickly. Be wary if someone claiming to be an interested buyer asks you to:
- Share financial details: They ask for your bank account, credit card, or personal ID (like your passport) early in the conversation.
- Click strange links: They send a link claiming it’s a "pre-approval document" or a "deposit receipt." Never click these.
- Make a payment: They ask you to pay a "courier fee" or a "verification fee" to move the sale forward.
- Use unusual platforms: They try to move the conversation away from email or phone and onto encrypted apps like Telegram or WhatsApp immediately.
A simple safety checklist
You can stay 100% safe by following these three rules:
- Don't click: Never click on suspicious links or download unexpected attachments.
- No data sharing: Never provide your banking, financial, or private ID information to an enquirer. All financial transactions (like deposits) should be handled through your solicitor's trust account.
- Forward for review: If a message feels wrong, don't ignore your gut. Forward the enquiry to support@propertynow.com.au and our team will give you a second opinion.
What to do if it is a scam
If you realise an enquiry is a scam:
- Do not engage: Stop replying immediately. Scammers look for active accounts to target.
- Block and ignore: Block the sender's email address or phone number.
- Report it to us: Let us know which portal the enquiry came from so we can report the user to Realestate.com.au or Domain and help protect other sellers.
Most odd-looking enquiries are just shy buyers
Many genuine buyers send very short, one-line messages without a phone number because they want to avoid being hassled by agents. Don't mistake a brief message for a scam!
As long as you don't click links and don't give out bank details, you can safely reply to everyone to see if they are a real person interested in your home.
Updated on: 07/09/2026
Thank you!