PHOTO: Instead of private updates, Chloe suddenly found herself in a group chat with nine strangers — all apparently buyers.
💥 Imagine bidding on your dream home via a random group text message. That’s exactly what happened to Chloe*, a Sydney homebuyer, who was dragged into what felt like an unofficial auction run through a WhatsApp-style group chat.
🏡 The Story That Shocked Homebuyers
Chloe and her partner had been house hunting in Newcastle, priced out of Sydney’s overheated market. After emailing a real estate agent about a property and submitting an offer, Chloe was asked for her mobile number “to keep updated.”
Instead of private updates, Chloe suddenly found herself in a group chat with nine strangers — all apparently buyers.
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First message: “Highest offer at $845,000.”
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Next day: “Current offer now $875,000.”
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Chloe panicked, messaged her offer privately — only for the agent to announce it to the group within minutes.
“It felt like bidding in an auction I never signed up for,” Chloe told Domain.
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📈 A Stressful New Normal?
With prices spiralling beyond their budget, Chloe and her partner were forced to bow out. The property eventually sold for $131,000 above the guide price.
➡️ Unlike a proper auction where bids are public and transparent, Chloe was left doubting whether the other “buyers” even existed.
➡️ To make matters worse, her personal phone number was shared without her consent.
⚖️ The Legal Angle
NSW Fair Trading confirmed to Domain that:
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Real estate agents must comply with privacy laws.
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Breaches of the Rules of Conduct can attract fines up to $110,000.
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The Commonwealth Privacy Act 1988 may also apply for larger businesses.
Chloe has since lodged a formal complaint.
A screenshot of the alleged group chat. Photo: Supplied
🔎 Why This Matters for Buyers
This case raises big questions for Australian homebuyers:
✅ Is your personal data safe when dealing with agents?
✅ Are group text “auctions” even legal?
✅ What protections do buyers actually have in this red-hot market?
For Chloe, the experience has shaken her trust in the buying process.
“At least in a proper auction you can see the bidders,” she said. “Here, I don’t even know if the other offers were real.”
SOURCE: DOMAIN