Avoiding Scammers
It may not straight forward to assess the legitimacy of an inquiry, especially when you're eager to make
a sale. Always trust your instincts and proceed with caution if anything seems suspicious.
Beware of
Buyers from outside of Australia. Australia is a relatively small market for gliders. If the buyer if from another continent ask for details of their gliding club. Are they on WeGlide and do they have a an IGC Pilot Ranking? Ask for recomendations from their gliding club president.
Poor or Awkward Language
Frequent spelling or grammar mistakes can be aan indication that the email was gererated by a robot.
Generic or Suspicious email Addresses
Scammers often use Yahoo, Hotmail, Outlook, or Gmail accounts with random
letters and numbers.
Lack of knowledge about your model of glider.
Be cautious if the buyer is not specific, asks vague or peciliar questions, or doesn’t understand what you’re selling.
Ask Questions
How long have you been looking for a glider? What do you fly at the moment?
A real buyer should have a clear idea what they are looking for.
Talk to the buyer and stay alert for vague or evasive responses.
Unusual Payment Methods or Requests
Use extreme caution if the payment arrangements feel rushed or unconventional.
Be cautious of buyers who suggest certified checks, money orders, transfers to third partys or third party banks or pickup agents, paying through PayPal, ebay of any non conventional service.
Do Not Click Links
Avoid clicking on links sent by buyers, especially if the message feels unnatural.
These could be attempts to trick you into downloading malware, possibly generated by AI bots.
When in Doubt Do Not Proceed
If anything about a buyer's message feels wrong, stop. You have no obligation to respond or continue to communicate with them. Take the time to verify the buyer.
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