better pets - [ AVOID THE PITFALLS OF PUPPY SCAMS AND SHEDDING PETS ]

Don’t get scammed!

Puppy scams are a sophisticated, multimillion dollar rip-off, targeting people seeking a furry companion. The ACCC’s ScamWatch has reported Aussies lose hundreds of thousands of dollars a year on dogs that don’t exist!

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

Animal welfare charity Companion Animal Network Australia shares red flags to watch for.

• Websites and ads in online classifieds and on social media for sought-after dog breeds where email is the only way to contact them.

• Sellers who stop you travelling to meet and pick up your puppy. They ask for upfront payments via money transfer to pay for the pet and transport.

• Having paid a deposit, scammers find new ways to ask for more money, such as claiming higher transport costs to get across interstate borders. Unfortunately, once the payments are made, they cease all contact.

• If the price looks too good to be true, it most probably is!

SAFEGUARDS