Here are some tips you can check before you make payment for a new puppy to avoid being a victim of a puppy scam.
What to look out for?
Photos of the dog or ad text can be found on other websites
Do an internet search for the pet you are considering. You can also search for text to see if the seller copied it from another site. Requesting for update photos or videos can also be stolen from another site or from another breeder.
The best option is to see the puppy in person, if that is not possible always ask for Live Video Calls/ Live Chat to speak with the buyer and see the puppy on Live Video Call (this is to ensure the puppy of choice actually exist).
If you are requesting for additional puppy image or video, request for specific image for example “A picture or video of puppy with the seller hand pointing at the puppy right ear” or have the seller take a picture with a note written on a piece of paper taken with the puppy (Eg: Your name and current date and a short sentence).
The seller asks for wired transfer of money or payment by gift cards
Once the money is wired, there is no way to get it back. Asking for gift cards as payment is also a common sign of a fraud.
Always check/ask what other payment options is available. Authentic sellers should have other payment options available such as cash on pickup, PayPal, credit card.
The price seems too good to be true
Research the prices for the bred you are considering ahead of time. Purebred dogs sold at deeply discounted prices are typically frauds. If the seller says they register their dogs with a specific organisation, you can call the organisation to confirm.
The seller prefers to handle communication by email and not the phone
Fraudulent sellers are oftentimes outside of Australia and may be hiding their phone number by only communicating by email. Always request to speak with the buyer via phone and request to see the puppy of choice in person or if the distance is too far to travel do a live video chat.
To read more on Nine News how click here “Hopeful pet owners conned out of almost $300,000 in coronavirus puppy scam” and A Current Affair click here “Dozens tangled up in cruel puppy con costing Aussies thousands”
