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Messages and what is checked

Messages on ScentSell are for arranging a sale or a swap. They are checked for two reasons: to stop people being talked into paying outside ScentSell, where none of the protections apply, and to keep members' contact details private.

Sale and offer messages​

Nothing is stopped before it is sent. After sending, automatic checks look for:

  • email addresses and phone numbers;
  • social handles and messaging apps (for example WhatsApp or an @handle);
  • payment outside ScentSell (for example PayPal, PayID, a BSB or a bank transfer).

When one is found, the message is flagged to our team. A short reminder that deals stay on ScentSell may appear in the conversation (at most once a day per conversation), and our team is alerted when the same member is flagged in more than one conversation. Links are not blocked.

Swap messages​

Swap chat is checked twice:

  1. Before sending, the app stops clearly abusive language, threats, contact details and requests to pay outside ScentSell, and asks you to reword the message. It always tells you why.
  2. After sending, an AI check reads the message and flags anything worrying to our team. It does not delete messages; our team decides what to do.

What our team can do​

Our team reads flagged messages in context, and can warn a member, suspend them from swaps or stop them selling. See Swaps and Sellers.

Why contact details are kept out​

You never need another member's phone number or email to trade. ScentSell gives a trading partner only the name and postal address needed to post a parcel, and only for an active order or swap. If someone asks you to move to text, email or another app, they are asking you to leave the protections behind. Report it: see Reporting a problem.