Do your checks!
Ensuring Secure Transactions and Avoiding Scams
At ReptileSALES, your security is our priority. Before you dive into our reptile classifieds listings, it’s essential to practice due diligence. Due diligence involves gathering and analysing information to make informed decisions with a view to minimising risk in transactions. In the sections below, we will guide you through the important factors to consider and provide links to quick government database checks to help you uncover any potential issues.
Whether you’re buying or selling reptiles, following these fundamental steps is a must:
Verify the Other Party: Always confirm the identity of the person you’re dealing with. Request written communication to establish a record of your interactions.
Put it in Writing: Document every aspect of the transaction. Having written agreements can protect both parties and clarify the terms of the deal.
Licence Exchange: Before any payment is made or received, exchange copies of your reptile licenses. This step helps ensure that all parties involved are operating legally and within the appropriate regulations.
Scrutinise the Details: Pay close attention to the information on the licenses. Are the individuals authorised to breed, buy, or sell reptiles? Are the reptile classes accurately represented? Is the person identified on the licence the person you’re dealing with? If not, why not?
Your security matters to us. By following these steps, you can confidently navigate and benefit from the use of our modern classifieds site while minimising the risks associated with scams and fraudulent activities.
Remember, a little caution goes a long way in ensuring a smooth and secure experience on any classifieds website.
Due diligence is a process of collecting and analysing information, before making a decision or entering into an agreement or contract. In the tabs below we’ll highlight some of the things you should question and consider, and show you some quick checks you can do to unearth issues (should they exist).
It's an important question, right?
When engaging in reptile classified transactions, it's crucial to verify the identity of the individuals you're interacting with. Always request written communication and ensure you have a clear understanding of the other party's identity.
Why?
You need to confirm the persons identity to ensure they're authorised to operate under their reptile related licence or permit. If they're reluctant to provide the information you're seeking to meet your own obligations, other reptiles will always come up through more reputable and transparent breeders or keepers.
Rush, and regret is a good thing to have playing in the back of your mind in any important transaction - especially those where significant fines and reptile confiscations could apply if you get it wrong!
Examine the licence
Before proceeding with any reptile transaction, examine the licence of the other party. Ensure that they possess the necessary authorisations to breed, buy, or sell reptiles. This step helps to confirm their legitimacy and adherence to regulations.
Here's what to focus on:
Authorisations: Verify that they possess the necessary authorisations to engage in reptile activities like breeding, buying, or selling.
Address Verification: Is the address cited on the licence still valid? An up-to-date address adds to the credibility of the transaction.
Licence Holder's Name: Pay careful attention to the name of the licence holder. Is it consistent with the person you're dealing with?
Species-Specific Authorisation: Confirm if they're authorised to breed and sell the specific reptile species in question.
A Closer Look: Unmasking Dodgy Practices
If the licence holder's name doesn't match the person you're transacting with, it's worth investigating further. Ask for explanations and consider looking into the background of any intermediaries involved.
Remember, the practice of using others to obtain licences, only to operate under a different name, is not uncommon in various industries. This strategy can serve to mask the involvement of dodgy people to keep their name disassociated.
Best advice, if it doesn't look right, look elsewhere.
Are They Really Who They Say They Are?
In Australia, it's a legal requirement that any business-related activity involving a name other than one's personal name must be registered. This measure is in place to ensure consumer protection. If you come across an individual promoting any name other than their full personal name in advertisements related to activities like breeding and selling reptiles, follow these steps:
Request ABN and Business Registration: Ask for their Australian Business Number (ABN) and a copy of their business registration certificate. Additionally, obtain a copy of their reptile licence or permit. This helps establish the authenticity of the party you're dealing with.
Taxation Advantages: Besides verification, having a legitimate business registration may also offer taxation benefits for buyers, especially if buying for a business, and even more so if both parties are registered for GST.
Why Is It Important?
By ensuring business name registration (when advertised), you minimise the risk of dealing with illegal or non-compliant parties, who from their first interaction with you (if using an alternate unregistered name) are otherwise operating illegally.
If someone avoids registering their business name or is unwilling to invest a small amount (around $40) for registration, it raises concerns about their commitment to legality and responsibility to their animals.
Additionally, in animal (wildlife) transactions, knowing the identity of the seller is paramount.
Receipts Matter:
Ask for formal receipts for your transactions. Reputable sellers are more likely to provide official receipts under the same name they advertise. A willingness to provide proper documentation adds credibility to the transaction.
Conduct Online Checks:
Remember to perform online checks to further validate the information provided by the other party. These checks can provide additional reassurance before proceeding with any reptile transaction.
Your commitment to due diligence not only safeguards you but also promotes a responsible and ethical reptile trading community.
Stay Secure, Stay Informed.
Report It
If you come across any discrepancies or suspect fraudulent activity during your reptile transactions, pause all further interactions.
- Report the Ad using the 'Report Abuse' button associated with each listing.
- Provide further information via the 'Customer Support' link in the top menu to lodge an urgent 'request investigation' ticket to reach out to our support team immediately with details of the issue.
We're here to assist you and will reach out to the advertiser to seek clarification, and action as necessary.
Consider becoming a verified user on ReptileSales to enhance your credibility within the community. Verified users are more likely to gain trust from potential buyers or sellers due to their authenticated status.
To begin your due diligence, utilize the following search links to gather additional information about the other party:
- Business Registration Lookup: Verify the legitimacy of their business name registration.
- ABN Lookup: Check the validity of their ABN if applicable.
- Reptile Licence Database: Not currently available, but working on it!
These search links offer valuable insights that can contribute to a secure and trustworthy reptile classified transaction experience on ReptileSales.
Enhance Your Knowledge with Our Due Diligence Course
We're currently in the process of developing a diverse range of video-based online courses, and many of these will be accessible to you absolutely free of charge.
For instance, among these courses, one will delve into the effective use of online tools for conducting due diligence checks, along with other crucial reptile awareness topics.
These courses are designed not only to elevate your awareness but also to safeguard you from potential scammers and individuals attempting to take advantage. They'll be especially
beneficial for newcomers to the world of reptiles.
As we move forward, our upcoming courses and educational videos will encompass a wide array of subjects, including reptile husbandry, DIY reptile projects, and in-depth species profiles, with educational fact sheets to serve as invaluable, step-by-step reference guides.