PLATFORM INTEGRITY AND FRAUD PREVENTION POLICY

1. PURPOSE

This Platform Integrity and Anti-Fraud Policy explains the measures that IPK may implement to protect the integrity of the Platform, its auction processes and its users.

The purpose of this Policy is to:

• promote fair participation;
• protect users from fraudulent activity;
• preserve confidence in auction processes;
• protect the integrity of bidding activity;
• support secure operation of the Platform.

2. SCOPE

This Policy applies to all persons interacting with the Platform, including:

• visitors;
• registered users;
• bidders;
• winning bidders;
• sellers;
• partner agencies;
• professional advisers;
• representatives acting on behalf of users.

3. COMMITMENT TO PLATFORM INTEGRITY

IPK is committed to maintaining a fair, transparent and secure environment for property auction activity.

The Platform may implement operational, technical and procedural safeguards designed to reduce the risk of fraud, abuse and manipulation.

4. COMMITMENT TO FAIR AUCTIONS

IPK seeks to ensure that auctions are conducted in a manner that is fair to all participants.

The Platform may adopt measures intended to:

• discourage manipulation;
• discourage abusive conduct;
• discourage fraudulent participation;
• promote genuine bidding activity;
• support confidence in auction outcomes.

5. ANTI-FRAUD PRINCIPLES

The operation of the Platform is guided by the following principles:

• transparency;
• fairness;
• accountability;
• proportionality;
• integrity;
• security.

These principles guide the design and administration of Platform controls.

6. IDENTITY INTEGRITY

The Platform may require identity verification measures before certain activities can be undertaken.

Such measures are intended to reduce the risks associated with:

• false identities;
• impersonation;
• account misuse;
• fraudulent participation;
• identity-related abuse.

Identity verification does not constitute a guarantee regarding any participant.

7. PAYMENT INTEGRITY

The Platform may implement payment validation measures designed to reduce risks associated with:

• unauthorised payment methods;
• stolen payment credentials;
• fraudulent payment activity;
• payment abuse;
• misuse of financial instruments.

Such measures do not constitute a guarantee of future conduct.

8. AUCTION INTEGRITY

IPK may monitor auction activity for indicators of conduct that may undermine the integrity of auction processes.

Such conduct may include

• manipulation;
• collusion;
• false bidding;
• shill bidding;
• abusive behaviour.

9. DATA INTEGRITY

IPK seeks to maintain the integrity of information stored within the Platform.

Measures may be implemented to protect against:

• unauthorised modification;
• unauthorised access;
• data corruption;
• misuse of information;
• security breaches.

10. PLATFORM SECURITY

The Platform may utilise technical and operational security measures designed to protect:

• user accounts;
• Platform infrastructure;
• auction processes;
• stored information;
• communications systems.

Security measures may evolve over time in response to emerging risks.

11. RISK MONITORING

IPK may monitor Platform activity for the purpose of identifying unusual, suspicious or potentially abusive behaviour.

Monitoring activities may include

• account activity reviews;
• bidding pattern reviews;
• transaction reviews;
• security reviews;
• fraud prevention reviews.

12. USER COOPERATION

Users agree to cooperate reasonably with legitimate Platform integrity and anti-fraud measures.

Such cooperation may include

• providing requested information;
• responding to verification requests;
• assisting investigations where appropriate;
• complying with reasonable security requirements.

Failure to cooperate may affect a user's ability to access certain Platform services.

13. FRAUD PREVENTION MEASURES

IPK may implement operational, procedural and technical measures designed to identify, prevent and mitigate fraudulent activity.

Such measures may include

• identity verification controls;
• payment validation procedures;
• account monitoring;
• behavioural analysis;
• security controls;
• risk-based reviews.

The nature and extent of such measures may vary according to the circumstances.

14. IDENTITY VERIFICATION CONTROLS

The Platform may utilise identity verification procedures before permitting participation in certain activities.

Such controls may include

• document verification;
• biometric verification;
• liveness testing;
• identity validation;
• fraud detection measures.

The implementation of such controls does not constitute certification of any participant's financial standing, intentions or future conduct.

15. PAYMENT VALIDATION CONTROLS

The Platform may require validation of payment methods before permitting participation in auctions or related activities.

Validation procedures may include

• card verification;
• payment authentication;
• transaction authorisation checks;
• anti-fraud controls;
• payment risk assessment procedures.

Payment validation does not guarantee the future availability of funds or performance of contractual obligations.

16. DETECTION OF SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY

IPK may monitor Platform activity for indicators of suspicious behaviour.

Indicators may include

• unusual account activity;
• unusual bidding patterns;
• inconsistent user information;
• repeated failed verification attempts;
• activity suggesting abuse of Platform processes.

The existence of an indicator does not necessarily imply wrongdoing.

17. AUCTION MONITORING

IPK may review auction activity to help preserve fair participation and auction integrity.

Monitoring may include assessment of

• bidding activity;
• timing of bids;
• bidding frequency;
• participation patterns;
• conduct that may indicate manipulation.

IPK reserves the right to investigate activity that appears inconsistent with the intended operation of the Platform.

18. BID PATTERN ANALYSIS

The Platform may analyse bidding activity for indicators of conduct that could undermine auction integrity.

Such indicators may include

• coordinated bidding behaviour;
• non-genuine bidding activity;
• artificial bidding activity;
• repeated abnormal participation patterns;
• conduct suggesting manipulation.

Any analysis performed by the Platform constitutes a risk assessment tool only and does not constitute proof of misconduct.

19. MULTIPLE ACCOUNT DETECTION

IPK may implement measures intended to identify the operation of multiple accounts by the same person or by connected parties.

Such measures may include analysis of:

• account information;
• verification information;
• payment information;
• technical indicators;
• behavioural indicators.

The existence of a connection indicator does not automatically establish wrongdoing.

20. DEVICE AND ACCESS MONITORING

IPK may utilise technical measures designed to identify unusual access patterns and potential abuse.

Such measures may include analysis of:

• login activity;
• access locations;
• device characteristics;
• security events;
• account access behaviour.

Such measures are intended solely to support Platform security and integrity.

21. INVESTIGATION PROCEDURES

Where IPK reasonably suspects fraud, manipulation, abuse or other conduct inconsistent with Platform policies, it may conduct an investigation.

Investigations may include

• review of Platform records;
• review of account activity;
• review of communications;
• requests for information;
• consultation with service providers;
• consultation with professional advisers.

Investigations shall be conducted in a manner considered appropriate to the circumstances.

22. TEMPORARY RESTRICTIONS

During an investigation, IPK may impose temporary restrictions where reasonably necessary.

Such restrictions may include

• suspension of bidding privileges;
• temporary account limitations;
• delayed activation of Platform features;
• additional verification requirements;
• temporary access restrictions.

Temporary restrictions do not constitute a determination of wrongdoing.

23. SUSPENSIONS

IPK may suspend accounts, access rights or Platform privileges where it reasonably believes such action is necessary to protect:

• users;
• auction integrity;
• Platform security;
• compliance requirements;
• legitimate business interests.

Suspensions may be temporary or permanent depending on the circumstances.

24. REPORTING TO AUTHORITIES

Where required by law, court order or competent authority, or where reasonably considered necessary to protect legitimate interests, IPK may report relevant matters to:

• law enforcement authorities;
• regulatory authorities;
• judicial authorities;
• payment service providers;
• identity verification providers;
• other appropriate entities.

Any such disclosure shall be made in accordance with applicable law.

25. CHARGEBACK FRAUD

Users must not initiate payment chargebacks, payment disputes or payment reversals in circumstances where the relevant charge was validly authorised and properly incurred.

Where IPK reasonably believes that a chargeback or payment dispute has been initiated improperly, fraudulently or in bad faith, IPK may:

• suspend Platform access;
• restrict bidding privileges;
• suspend user accounts;
• recover outstanding amounts;
• defend the chargeback or dispute process;
• take any other action reasonably necessary to protect its interests.

26. RECOVERY OF CHARGEBACK COSTS

Where legally permitted and where IPK successfully defends a chargeback, payment dispute or payment reversal initiated by a user, IPK reserves the right to recover reasonable costs incurred as a direct consequence of that dispute.

Such costs may include

• payment processor dispute fees;
• banking charges;
• administrative costs reasonably incurred;
• professional costs reasonably incurred in responding to the dispute.

Nothing in this clause limits any other rights or remedies available to IPK.

27. FALSE OR MISLEADING INFORMATION

Users must not provide false, incomplete, misleading or deceptive information to the Platform.

This includes information provided during

• registration;
• identity verification;
• bidding activities;
• payment validation;
• communications with IPK.

The submission of false information may result in suspension, termination or further investigation.

28. CIRCUMVENTION ATTEMPTS

Users must not attempt to circumvent Platform controls, procedures or security measures.

Prohibited conduct includes attempts to avoid:

• identity verification requirements;
• payment validation requirements;
• account restrictions;
• auction participation controls;
• security procedures.

IPK may take immediate action where circumvention attempts are identified.

29. PRESERVATION OF EVIDENCE

IPK may preserve records, logs, communications and other relevant information where reasonably necessary for:

• fraud investigations;
• dispute resolution;
• legal proceedings;
• regulatory compliance;
• protection of legitimate interests.

Such preservation may continue for as long as reasonably necessary and in accordance with applicable law.

30. NO GUARANTEE OF FRAUD DETECTION

Although IPK may implement anti-fraud measures, no system can guarantee the detection or prevention of all fraudulent, abusive or improper conduct.

Users acknowledge that

• risks cannot be entirely eliminated;
• investigations may have limitations;
• fraud prevention systems are not infallible;
• participant conduct cannot be fully predicted.

Nothing in this Policy constitutes a guarantee of fraud-free operation.

31. CONSUMER RIGHTS

Nothing in this Policy limits or excludes any consumer rights that cannot legally be limited or excluded under applicable law.

Where mandatory consumer protection laws apply, those laws shall prevail over any inconsistent provision of this Policy.

32. COMPLAINTS

Users may submit complaints relating to this Policy or its application through the official complaints channels.

IPK will seek to review complaints within a reasonable period.

33. CHANGES TO THIS POLICY

IPK may amend this Platform Integrity and Anti-Fraud Policy from time to time.

The most recent version will be published on the Platform.

Users should review the current version periodically.

Continued use of the Platform following publication of an updated version may constitute acceptance of the revised Policy.

34. CONTACT DETAILS

35. RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHER DOCUMENTS

This Policy should be read together with:

• the Identity Verification and Platform Participation Policy;
• the Acceptable Use Policy;
• the Website Terms of Use;
• the Auction Terms and Conditions;
• the remaining Platform documentation.

Where applicable, these documents shall complement one another.

36. FINAL PROVISION

The integrity of the Platform depends upon responsible participation by all users.

By accessing or using the Platform, users acknowledge that IPK may implement reasonable measures designed to protect auction integrity, reduce fraud risks, preserve confidence in auction processes and safeguard the interests of users and stakeholders.

IPK reserves the right to take reasonable and proportionate action necessary to protect the Platform, its users and the integrity of its auction ecosystem.