Every day, many people get scammed by cybercriminals posing as verified Australian dog breeders.

Fueled by the Pandemic

Even before the arrival of the coronavirus, many individuals and households were already being deceived by unscrupulous cybercriminals. However, the pandemic made it much easier for online puppy scammers to conduct their business.

Because of the continuous lockdowns, many Aussies were left to desire canine companionship. Their need to combat loneliness and social isolation made them more prone to scams, as online canine shopping became the norm.

According to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) Scamwatch, the reported number of pet scams as of September 2021 has increased to 2,131 from only 498 in 2019. Furthermore, those who lost money due to scams reported a loss of AUD $2,165 to date compared with $1,455 in 2019.

Look Out for Fake Websites

While many fraudulent websites have already been reported over the past two years, there are still a lot more unreported ones. Do not be fooled by these fake, and still active, websites that are presenting themselves as ethical Australian dog breeders.

How to Avoid Getting Scammed

Most cyber criminals have professional-looking websites. They also have social media sites, ads on online classifieds, and posts on trustworthy websites that make them appear as legitimate sellers.

Because they know the pandemic makes it difficult for people to meet their desired puppy in person, they will use this as an advantage. They will usually ask for up-front payment via a wire transfer and promise to have the puppy couriered to their buyer the following day.

Upon deposit, scammers will likely ask for more money, citing additional costs such as transportation. This should never be the case, as a reputable breeder will never ship dogs or allow them to fly.

The good thing is, there are several ways to spot a fraudster. One is if they only email or text you. Sure, many businesses contact their clients through these means, but you should consider it as a warning sign if your seller refuses a face-to-face meeting. It is recommended that you request seeing your desired puppy in person or via video call.

Another way to tell if you are speaking with a scammer is when the price of their canine is too good to be true. A dog should never be sold at a discounted price unless it is old or the last of its litter.

Keep in mind that cybercriminals steal pictures and videos from reputable sellers. To know if a photo is genuine, click on the image then select “Search Google for Image.” If you find a matching photo on another website with different information (i.e. a different address and contact details), the image may be stolen.

Finding a Responsible Breeder Online

While there remains a huge number of online dog scammers out there, it is not a reason to change your mind about adopting a canine during this pandemic. Dog breeding in Australia can be responsible and ethical and there are organisations such as Responsible Pet Breeders Australia (RPBA) that are committed to making sure you bring home a canine that is healthy and has an excellent temperament. PetsForHomes is an online platform that screens ads and makes sure all its members are registered, have passed stringent requirements, and have undergone registration checks before they are allowed to advertise their dogs for sale.