How Can Southport Property Sellers Reduce Payment-Redirection Scam Risks?

When selling property in Southport, include payment security in your preparation—not just pricing, inspections and moving arrangements. Decide early how financial instructions will be exchanged and independently confirmed with your solicitor or conveyancer.

A familiar name on an email should never be the only reason to trust a request involving money.

Verify instructions through a separate channel

The Australian Cyber Security Centre warns that scammers can impersonate trusted people or use compromised accounts. It recommends independently confirming financial requests using a phone number you already know is correct, rather than contact details supplied in the suspicious message. Cyber Security Australia

Before settlement approaches, record your legal representative’s verified contact number. Ask how they will confirm your nominated account for sale proceeds and what checks apply if those details change.

Treat an unexpected account change as a reason to pause. Do not bypass verification because a message claims the payment is urgent or the sender is unavailable.

Agree on a clear communication process

Ask your solicitor how identification documents and banking information should be provided securely. Do not forward a change of payment instructions to another party as though you have verified it when you have not.

Where several owners are involved, agree who will communicate instructions and how everyone will be kept informed. Keep that process consistent rather than improvising during the final days.

Protect the email account you use for the transaction with a strong, unique password and multifactor authentication. Never share login details or one-time security codes. Cyber Security Australia

Act immediately if something goes wrong

If money has been sent to a suspicious account, contact the bank immediately using its official contact details. Report the incident through ReportCyber and notify your legal representative. Prompt reporting may help the response, but recovery is not guaranteed. Cyber Security Australia

Planning to sell in Southport? Contact Norton’s Real Estate Agency to discuss your sale preparation and communication arrangements, with financial instructions handled through your legal representative’s verified process.

Steven Norton: 0488 496 277
Lawrence Norton: 0415 279 807
Email: nortons.re@gmail.com

General information only. Obtain independent legal and security advice for your circumstances.