Pet Scams
Good morning, folks! Welcome back to Fraud Fridays! Today, we will be discussing Pet Scams!
This scam is particularly egregious as it targets individuals who are looking to expand their family to include a furred, scaled, or otherwise beast-like friend. If you're in the process of looking for a pet, please read further. We have, unfortunately, had a member scammed recently by this form of scam. As such, I will be diving into detail and there will be links for further information on how to avoid these scammers.
The scam itself is simple. It starts with a false listing for a companion. These can be entire websites created by the scammer alleging to be a "reliable breeder and trainer celebrating their 7th anniversary." They may come in the form of posts on Facebook or Craigslist. Often, they will claim that the pet in question is pure-bred as they can "charge" more and there is a higher demand for pure-bred animals. After you reach out, the scammer will require an initial payment, usually through P2P apps like Cash APP or Zelle. If you say you cannot pay through these means, they will change their tactic, looking for gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers. If they successfully receive the first payment, they will then try to double dip for as long as you stay on their hook.
The next step will be to involve an alleged "courier." They will likely claim that the courier has the animal in question and requires payment from you to finalize delivery. This is not how deliveries work, but with some pretty words they can seem legitimate. Tell me though, when was the last time you had to Cash App your UPS driver to receive your package?
Often, the courier company they name is a legitimate company. This could be FedEx, UPS, or even more obscure companies such as MVT Logistics. That doesn't mean that the "courier" you're talking to is working for UPS, it just means they claim to be. Spoofing phone numbers and caller ID's is very simple and takes a few seconds to accomplish. So, even if your phone claims it's UPS, it's likely not UPS.
This courier will give you a run around. Constantly talking about new fees and additions. This is simply to syphon as much money from your account into theirs as possible. If you've gotten to this point, the best option is to cut contact with the scammers and no longer answer. Reports often show scammers begin threatening and becoming belligerent after their mark has cut contact.
These scams can vary, largely, in the amount of damage they do. Emotional tolls from being tricked and falling for an animal-friendship that was never to be. Monetary tolls from their incessant theft and trickery. Some victims end up stopping their search for their companions as a direct result of these scammers. It's important to note, with any scam, that the people you are dealing with are "professionals" in their field. They make their living through deceit and fabrication. They will steal photos from the internet, branding them as pets for sale. Pets never to be delivered.
If you suspect you or a friend may be a victim of this scam, please report the scam and the website it is perpetrated through at one of the following links:
https://www.ipata.org/pet-scams
https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/
https://petscams.com/report-pet-scam-websites/
https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker
Furthermore, if you would like more information on this scam and how to avoid it, please visit:
https://www.bbb.org/all/petscams
https://www.ipata.org/pet-scams
Thank you for stopping by for this Fraud Friday, and I hope you all have a Wonderful Weekend.