Beware of online pet scams
A fairly recent scam is separating would-be pet owners from their hard-earned money.
A Wisconsin department is warning the public about online pet postings, which may be fraudulent in some cases. The Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection says it has received numerous reports of these scams.
With these scams, criminals post what appear to be photos of puppies or kittens for sale. They may even be in the buyer’s area. Once contacted, the seller claims to have sold out of their last animal and instead offers information about another seller further away who might be able to help. This tactic prevents buyers from meeting the animal in person before paying for it. When buyer reaches out to the second seller, that seller requires payment using a non-traceable and non-refundable method, such as a money transfer app. After the initial payment, the scammer will claim he or she needs more money for transportation feeds, licenses or permits. By the time the buyer becomes suspicious, the seller has disappeared without delivering the animal they advertised.
“Wisconsin consumers have lost thousands of dollars to these scams in recent months,” reports Lara Sutherlin, administrator with the Division of Trade and Consumer Protection. “We urge people to use caution when making purchases from online marketplaces and to contact the Consumer Protection Hotline at 800-422-7128 if they have been a victim of a scam.”
To avoid being a victim, verify the business. Search for the person or seller online. You may add “scam” or “fraud” to your keyword search to turn up any potential results.
Never give out money or personal information unless you’ve been able to verify a seller is legitimate.
Also ask for the name and location of their veterinarian. Once the seller provides the info, look up that veterinarian online and contact them to confirm the seller’s authenticity. Do not contact vets with info provided by the seller, as this person can also be fake.
A list of licensed veterinarians in Wisconsin can be found at datcp.wi.gov website.
Never pay upfront, as this makes it easier for scammers to take the money and run. Also be careful with how you pay. Use credit cards instead of cash apps, gift cards and money wires.
In addition, don’t jump to a decision. Scammers are banking on you acting quickly and irrationally. They’ll try to entice you buy saying their supply is limited or someone else is interested. Don’t bite; slow down and check them out. Don’t give in to high-pressure tactics.
If you’ve already fallen victim to this scam, contact the department at datcp.wi.go, DATCPHotline@Wisconsin.gov or the previously mentioned hotline.
