DOGTAINERS ARE HERE TO HELP YOU AVOID PET SCAMS SARAH & DARREN ALCORN
Looking for a pet online? Don’t get scammed! It can be the ugly side of purchasing a new pet. Pet scams do exist and can happen to anyone. It’s important to learn how to spot a scam otherwise you could become a victim. At Dogtainers Cairns, we occasionally get a call from someone who is worried that they may have been scammed. Pet scams seem to be everywhere on the internet. Scams are a crime and often these scammers use a known pet transport name or logo in their pet schemes, as well as steal portions of websites to set up these scams and make them look more legitimate. Scammers will generally offer to provide free or inexpensive puppies, charging just for the price of shipping. In most cases there is no dog and no shipment, so please take precautions before paying money for services that may not exist. Many scammers will ask questions about how you will care for the pet and insist that they want only loving homes forever homes for their “babies” Pet scammers often use websites like Gumtree or Facebook to advertise pets that do not exist. Expensive animals, like Bulldogs or toy breeds, are offered at very low prices or at no cost—all you have to do is pay for the shipping. If you see an ad like this, chances are it is a scam. Scammers also regularly use Western Union or Money Gram as a payment method. Unlike PayPal or a recognised credit card merchant system, Western Union and Money Gram payments are often untraceable and non-refundable. Once you have made an initial payment, scammers will often asked for additional payments to overcome various problems, changes in crates, vet bills or insurance. They may threaten that if the additional charges are not paid immediately you could be charged for abandoning the pet. Scammer often use emotional manipulation to obtain more money from their victims.
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How to protect yourself • Be cautious - if the advertised price of a pedigree puppy looks too good to be true, it probably is. • Ring the person who owns the pet and talk to them about it. Even if they say they are overseas they should still have a contact number. Never rely purely on emails when purchasing or acquiring a pet. Ask about vaccinations and microchips – if the scammer says that this has been done, ask which vet clinic completed the work. • In Queensland, the state government has introduced laws to allow the person who bred a dog to be contacted and this applies to any dog born on or after 26 May 2017. A person who sells, advertises or gives away a dog, must have a Supply Number. • Don’t trust the legitimacy of an ad just because it appears in a reputable newspaper or online classifieds website - scammers often use these. • Never pay for services in a way that the payment cannot be traced. Avoid any arrangement with a stranger that asks for upfront payment via money order or wire transfer – it’s rare to recover money sent this way. • Search online using the exact wording in the ad—many well-known scams can be found this way. • Organise the transport of your pet with a pet transport company that you know and trust. • If you are in doubt, seek advice from someone in the industry such as a reputable breeder’s association, vet or pet transport company. If you think you have been scammed Stop all communication with the scammer Report the matter to the authorities Contact your financial institution Alert others to the scam For more information, visit https://www.ipata.org/pet-scams https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/
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