PRIVACY & SECURITY // LAST UPDATED OCTOBER 2026

your information, looked after.

Buying or selling property means sharing personal and financial details. Here's how we protect them, and how to protect yourself from email scams during your transaction.

PAYMENT SECURITY

we will never change our bank details by email.

Scammers target property buyers by hacking or faking emails and sending "updated" bank details just before a deposit or settlement. Once the money is sent, it's very hard to get back.

01call before you payBefore you transfer any money, call us on (03) 7043 7992 to confirm the account details. Use the number on this website, not one in an email.
02treat changes as a red flagIf you get an email saying our bank details have changed, or asking you to pay urgently, don't act on it. Call us first.
03we never ask for passwordsWe'll never ask for your banking passwords, PINs or one-time codes, by phone, email or text.
04think you've been scammed?Call your bank straight away, then call us. You can also report it at cyber.gov.au and scamwatch.gov.au.
how we keep your file secureYour documents are stored in secure, access-controlled systems, and only our team can see them. Settlements are completed electronically through PEXA, and we verify your identity before acting for you, as required for every property transaction.
confidential, alwaysAs a law firm, we owe you a duty of confidentiality. We don't share your matter with anyone unless you agree, it's needed to complete your transaction, or the law requires it.
PRIVACY POLICY

privacy, in plain english.

This policy explains how RUMA Legal Pty Ltd (ABN 99 683 167 688) ("RUMA", "we", "us") collects, uses, stores and discloses your personal information. We handle personal information in line with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles.

1. What we collect

We only collect what we need to act for you. Depending on your matter, this may include:

  • your name, address, date of birth, phone number and email
  • identity documents, such as your driver's licence or passport, to verify your identity
  • details of the property and the transaction, including contracts and vendor statements
  • financial information, such as loan details and the bank account used for settlement
  • information you give us when you contact us, use our website or book a call

2. How we collect it

Mostly from you directly, by phone, email, our website forms or e-signing. We may also collect information from others involved in your transaction, such as real estate agents, buyer's agents, mortgage brokers, lenders, the other party's lawyer or conveyancer, and government registries, when it's needed to complete your matter.

3. Why we use it

  • to provide our legal and conveyancing services and complete your transaction
  • to verify your identity, as property law requires
  • to communicate with you and keep you updated
  • to meet our legal, professional and regulatory obligations
  • to send you useful updates about property, which you can unsubscribe from at any time

4. Who we share it with

We only share your information when it's needed for your matter or required by law. This may include:

  • the other party's lawyer or conveyancer, and the real estate agent
  • your lender or mortgage broker, and the other party's lender
  • PEXA, land titles offices, state revenue offices, councils and water authorities
  • search and identity verification providers, and our IT and software providers
  • a buyer's agent, broker or agent who referred you, for milestone updates, only with your consent

We never sell your personal information.

5. Storage and security

We store your information securely in electronic systems with access controls, and keep it only as long as we need to, or as long as the law requires for legal practice records. Your information is stored on servers in Australia. We don't send it overseas, except that our website analytics (Google Analytics) may process de-identified usage data on servers outside Australia.

6. Our website

Our website may use cookies and analytics tools to understand how it's used and to improve it. It also shows reviews from Google. You can turn cookies off in your browser settings, though some parts of the site may not work as well.

7. Accessing or correcting your information

You can ask to see the personal information we hold about you, or ask us to correct it, by contacting us using the details below. We'll respond within a reasonable time, usually 30 days. In some cases the law allows us to refuse access, and we'll explain why if that happens.

8. Data breaches

If we experience a data breach that's likely to cause you serious harm, we'll let you know and notify the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, as required under the Notifiable Data Breaches scheme.

9. Questions and complaints

If you have a question or concern about your privacy, please contact our privacy officer:

Privacy officer, RUMA Legal
Mezzanine Floor, 30 Pirie Street, Adelaide SA 5000
rm@rumalegal.com.au · (03) 7043 7992

We'll try to resolve your complaint within 30 days. If you're not satisfied, you can contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner at oaic.gov.au or on 1300 363 992.

10. Changes to this policy

We may update this policy from time to time. The latest version will always be on this page.