Used Dirtbikes recommends you follow these tips when buying or selling on www.useddirtbikes.com.au.

These guidelines should be used as just that, guidelines, as they are intended to help maintain this sites reputation as a safe and dependable site for purchasing and selling motorcycles.

Most Prevailent scam on the internet:

The ANZ Bank has alerted federal police to a new internet scam preying on Australians who place classified advertisements on websites.
In a twist to the usual online con, it cheats sellers - not buyers - out of thousands of dollars before goods leave their possession.
Matthew McBride, of Petersham, was targeted when he tried to sell his bike on a bicycling website last month for $2000.
An overseas "buyer" sent him a cheque for more than twice the amount he had asked for and urged him to send the difference to a shipping company in Italy to pay for the bicycles collection.

Although Mr McBrides bank told him it would take six weeks to clear the cheque, several emails from the buyer, and later the "manager" of the shipping company, asked him to immediately transfer $3000 by Western Union to an account in the Netherlands.
ANZs manager of international clearings, Laurie Lindner, rang Mr McBride on a Saturday to warn him the buyers cheque was a fake.
The bank has recently seen a flood of the bogus cheques deposited by customers. Mr Lindner said hundreds of thousands of dollars had been lost by people selling goods - usually expensive items - online.

"People are getting hurt," he said. "The scammers get up the trust of a person and they [the sellers] feel guilty because they have a cheque for more. I ring people now and warn them."
While the fake buyers gave various addresses and names in Europe or the United States, most of the cheques originated in Nigeria, Mr Lindner said.
He was surprised consumers were being caught out, given the notoriety of other Nigerian scams.
ANZ has referred the matter to the Australian Federal Police.

QUICK TIPS

Buyers should use extra caution if the price is unusually low. If an item is listed significantly below the manufacturers suggested retail price or used motorcycle market value, take extra steps to verify the sellers claims.

• Verify the buyer or sellers details for name, city, email and phone number. All should be easily supplied by the seller.
  
• Request Proof of Ownership. Private parties selling a motorcycle should be able to produce evidence of title, Registration, or at least the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
  
• Request Proof of Possession. Request information or photos only someone in possession of the bike could supply. Eg: request a specific photo not common to web postings or auctions (such as a close-up of a specific part).
  
• Be cautious if a seller is offering free shipping. Shipping a bike any distance can be costly and should be reflected in the selling price.
  
• 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 useddirtbikes.com.au, please contact us at info@wiredplanet.com.au.
  
• What Happens if I am the victim of Online Crime? - You can try contacting the Australian High-Tech Crime Commission if you are unlucky enough to be a victim of crime.