How To Avoid A Pet Scam?
Pet scams tempt customers with adorable photos and heartwarming stories about animals in need of forever homes. Such scams usually involve puppies or any animal that people seek as a companion.
The arrival of a new pet at home is a special and heartwarming occasion for many people. Consider the following scenario where you purchased a pet from a website and it never arrived. This is more common than you might think.
There is now a thriving online industry of fraudsters who sell pets that do not exist, breaking the hearts as well as the wallets of prospective new owners. How do scammers get away with such heinous behaviour? They usually publicize their puppy scams in three ways:
- Listings on online sales portals that are fake.
- Posts on Facebook and social media that are not genuine.
- Fake website ads.
The Hook
In many cases, they will create a fake website to advertise the animal, but scammers are not uncommon to advertise on third-party platforms without operating a website.
Pet scams are typically divided into two stages: the ‘hook’ and the ‘sting.’ The first stage is simply for the scammer to emotionally and financially invest you, the consumer, in whatever animal they are claiming to sell, whether it is a puppy, kitten, parrot, tropical fish, monkey, llama, etc.
The Sting
The next stage of the scam begins after a deposit payment is made to the scammer. Usually, a pet scammer will attempt to defraud the consumer by impersonating a shipping company.
During this stage, scammers will continually introduce fictitious shipping and other fees until victims either run out of money or realise they are being duped.
Despite the fact that planes already have pressure and climate control in their cargo areas. The scammer asks fee for a temperature-controlled shipping crate to ensure that the pet’s body temperature would remain constant during the shipping process.
At this stage, the scammer will simply invent new stories in order to defraud as many victims as possible. Scammers may also try to blackmail or impersonate government agencies, especially when buyers are attempting to import exotic animals protected by the government.
It could say something like, “the pet is available to a good home for free — if you pay for shipping,” which is a false statement that could end up costing the unwary would-be pet parent hundreds of dollars.
Once a scammer has piqued your interest, they will typically charge for additional services over time under the guise of preparing the animal for shipment.
These extra charges could include:
- Additional shipping costs
- A refundable deposit (which the scammer will not refund) or even a non-refundable deposit
- Adoption costs
- Veterinary expenses
- Vaccination expenses
- Insurance (including special, pandemic-related insurance)
- Travel crates and accessories that are unique
- Unexpected, last-minute expenses
To keep their victim on the hook, scammers may even provide false tracking numbers and travel dates. They will withhold important information about the pet or postpone shipment until certain payments are made.
During the pandemic, criminals frequently cited health-related concerns as a reason for not meeting in person.
How to Avoid A Pet Scam?
If you’re serious about finding a pet, proceed with caution and scepticism. Scammers and cybercriminals can prey on your interests by promising something they won’t deliver and bilking victims out of their money.
When it comes to avoiding online pet scams, we recommend the following:
1. Look for AaLocal Shelter/Rescue Group
You will be able to see the animal in person, meet with staff and/or volunteers, and ensure that they are genuine.
2. Plan a Face to Face Meeting
If you don’t go local (or even if you do), make every effort to meet the pet in person before purchasing it.
3. Do Your Homework
If you have a specific breed or animal in mind, first research the average cost of purchase or adoption. You should also consider average care costs, such as vaccination, veterinary, and adoption fees. This will assist you in identifying suspicious sellers who demand exorbitant prices.
4. Don’t Pay in Advance
Legitimate businesses and nonprofits would never request payment in this manner, and independent breeders and sellers with credibility should provide multiple payment options.
6. Report a Pet Scam
Report a pet scam to the concerned authorities. Our four-legged companions play an important and adorable role in our lives. Be cautious about where you look for them, and you’ll save money in the process.
Conclusion
Pet scams have been around for a while, with scammers attempting to steal money from people looking to adopt a pet or connect with pet parents online by using fake websites or pet brand names. We ask our readers to be on a constant lookout for such scams.