Beware of the Scam, Dog Scam
As an ardent pet lover, I can well understand how the little critters can pluck away at our heartstrings. In this gray time between pandemic and vaccines, and the approach of the holidays, I also know that many loving people are feeling a bit lonely. They believe a dog or cat will fill that void. 
I am the last person to “dictate” whether owning a dog or cat is right for you, but I do know as an ethics speaker and trainer, that fraudsters and scam artists are lurking in the shadows to steal your money.
Speaking of “pet fraud,” I was recently made aware that the 2020 BBB “scam tracker” has determined that about 25 percent of all online dog scams are related to pets, pet supplies and associated materials (such as fake registrations). The average amount of money that people pay out in fraud cases is about $660. It has gotten worse – not better – since we’ve been semi-locked down.
Pennsylvania Fraud
As illustration of such fraud, is an article I came across from the Bucks County Courier Times by Marion Callahan (December 21, 2020). To paraphrase Callahan, a woman in Milford, Pennsylvania recently paid out $5,490 for two puppies that were never delivered.
The woman had no idea who the seller was, and as she was instructed to pay with American Express gift cards and send all of her information through a blind online application through a website called Zelle, it was virtually untraceable.
According to the Bucks County consumer protection folks:
“Unfortunately, it’s no longer surprising that these dubious scam artists are taking advantage of peoples’ vulnerability related to COVID-19…Americans love their animals and fraud artist know how to play on this emotion.”
The woman saw an ad for a cute puppy online and she fell for it. In fact, across America scam artists are not only purporting to be selling pre-bred dogs but puppies they claim are locked in shelters just waiting for a loving home. The woman who plunked down the $5,490 fell for a puppy with a cute ribbon around its neck; it was obviously a posed shot.
In her article, Callahan pointed out:
“The [Pennsylvania consumer protection] agency warned that victims are being told they needed to send money for special insurance and a COVID-19 vaccine [nothing like that exists!]. And when a consumer asks to see the dog or pick it up in person, they are told by the scammer that it ‘wasn’t possible due to COVID-19 restrictions.’”
In addition, Callahan stated what should have been absolutely obvious:
“If a dog scammer asks you to use an unusual payment method, including virtual currency like Bitcoin, preloaded gift cards, iTunes cards, it’s a big red flag. Don’t fall for it.”
Huge Demand, Low Expectations
Ethically, the scam artist always looks for an opportunity in which to operate. They realize opportunity is invariably linked to a lack of oversite. In the absence of oversite, they can easily target individuals who often think with their heart instead of logic. My educated guess, is that the woman who was scammed did not bounce the idea to purchase shelter puppies with untraceable cards through an anonymous payment platform off anyone who was a rational thinker.
While puppies may be in high demand due to “loneliness,” they are not all that difficult to find through legitimate means. For fun, as I was writing this article, I looked up the dog adoption page of two local pet shelters not more than five miles away and found several sweet dogs available for adoption. There are also numerous breed rescue groups, Facebook pages and good old word-of-mouth.
Dog scam artists have a simple need: money. They are not out to save the world. They are in it for the dollars. An honest seller would have unmasked themselves and made the transaction. This leads to rationalization.
When this particular buyer lost nearly $6,000, there was no heart-wrenching guilt on the part of the scam artist. He or she pocketed the money and walked away. Whether they are foreign or domestically-based, there is no compunction. The buyer in this case, was a “mark.” She was seen as rich and a sucker. The rationalization, at best, was that she was ripe for the taking.
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