Carsales has introduced a PrivacyProtect service which will ensure seller details are kept safe while trying to sell their car.
Vendors who take out a PremiumPlus ad package will now be provided a virtual phone number for interested buyers to contact.
PayProtect is another tool Carsales is offering buyer and seller customers, by enabling online transactions without having to deal with large sums of cash or bank cheques.
PayProtect allows both parties to agree upon a price and the seller to access the funds in real-time with the buyer, directly into their account with a guarantee to arrive within five business days.
Direct messaging through the Carsales app is also now available, which again keeps contact details private and is monitored inside the company’s ‘ecosystem’.
As well as manually checking ads for legitimacy and an Australian-based customer service team on-call seven days a week, Carsales is also reminding users to never provide buyers personal banking details, ensure receipts are provided for deposits and full sales, wait for funds to be confirmed in accounts before releasing vehicles, and ensuring all VIN codes match fixed compliance plates.
Carsales chief information officer Jason Blackman says the new PrivacyProtect and PayProtect services are a welcome segue into National Scams Awareness Week, May 21-25.
We have multiple systems in place, including machine learning platforms, to assist and help identify fraudulent activities and help prevent any impact to customers,” he says.
“We also have a range of product offerings for our customers to further protect them while using Carsales,” Blackman continues, “Keeping Carsales secure is a 24/7 job that we take very seriously.
He says the new functionality will reduce pain points for buyers and sellers in light of potential financial regulation changes.
“With the Government’s proposed call for a $10,000 limit on cash transactions, PayProtect also provides the relevant paperwork for tax purposes,” Blackman says.
PrivacyProtect is included in any PremiumPlus ad or can be purchased for an additional $20 on any Standard or Premium carsales advertisement.
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