Save
Puppy love sees Aussies scammed almost $300k
The consumer watchdog has issued a warning to Australians seeking a furry friend in social isolation.
Puppy love sees Aussies scammed almost $300k
The consumer watchdog has issued a warning to Australians seeking a furry friend in social isolation.

According to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), puppy scams have cost unsuspecting individuals and families almost $300,000 in 2020 alone.
It’s courtesy, in part, to a rise in Australians looking for companions to ride out the COVID-19 crisis.
Scamwatch has revealed April reports of puppy scams were almost five times higher than the average, with scammers setting up fake websites or online classified advertisements and social media posts pretending to sell sought-after dog breeds.
Cavoodles and French bulldogs are reportedly most often the dog breeds targeted in such scams.

The ACCC said fraudsters are taking advantage of the fact that people can’t travel to meet the dog in person.
“A lot of people are stuck at home and going online to buy a pet to help them get through the loneliness of social isolation,” the ACCC’s deputy chair, Delia Rickard, commented.
“Unfortunately, the rush to get a new pet and the unusual circumstances of COVID-19 make it harder to work out what’s real or a scam.”
Puppy scammers will usually ask for an upfront payment for the pup via money transfer, and will offer to transport it to you.
But the scam doesn’t end there, Ms Rickard flagged.
“Once you have paid the initial deposit, the scammer will find new ways to ask for more money, and scammers are now using the COVID-19 pandemic to claim higher transportation costs to get across closed interstate borders or additional fees for ‘coronavirus treatments’,” she explained.
“Unfortunately, once you make the payments, the seller will cease all contact.”
Ms Rickard has advised that the safest option for purchasing a new pet is to “only buy or adopt a pet you can meet in person”.
“If you cannot do that during the current lockdown restrictions, consider putting the search on hold.”
She added that “scam websites can look quite convincing, so try not to fall for the adorable puppy pictures they post, and remember, if the price looks too good to be true, it probably is”.
“Research the seller by running an internet search using the exact wording in the ad and do a reverse image search for pictures of the specific puppy, as you’re likely to be dealing with a scammer if you find matching images or text on multiple websites,” Ms Rickard recommended.
“If you are in doubt, seek advice from a reputable breeders association, vet or local pet shop.”
Here are five other scams you need to be wary of during COVID-19.
About the author

About the author


Scams
ANZ warns Australians to stay alert for scams during end of financial year
ANZ is warning customers to remain vigilant during the end of financial year period as scammers attempt to target Australians during tax time. Read more

Scams
ANZ warns customers of potential scam surge following RBA rate cut
ANZ has issued a warning to customers about a potential rise in scam activity following the Reserve Bank of Australia's decision to lower the cash rate target by 25 basis points. Read more

Scams
Financial Basics Foundation warns of e-commerce ‘gamification’ targeting Gen Z shoppers
The Financial Basics Foundation has raised concerns over the impact of increasingly sophisticated digital marketing tactics on young consumers during Financial Literacy Month, highlighting the need ...Read more

Scams
ANZ warns Australians of scam risks following Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred
ANZ is urging customers and the broader community to remain vigilant against scammers impersonating trusted organisations in the wake of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Read more

Scams
Navigating online money-making: Scams to avoid
In an era where the click of a button can lead to monetary gain, the internet has become a bustling marketplace for those looking to supplement their income. However, where there is opportunity, there ...Read more

Scams
Cyber criminals using interest rates as bait to trick customers
If you’ve ever found yourself on the receiving end of a suspicious phone call, e-mail or text message claiming to be from a major bank and demanding your details, you’re not alone – and experts are ...Read more

Scams
ATO cracks down on $850m GST fake business fraud
A nationwide crackdown on incidents of fraud involving the creation of fake businesses to scam GST refunds from the federal government has led to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) firmly warning ...Read more

Scams
Crackdown sees more than half a billion scam calls blocked
Initiatives by telcos and the ACMA have also led to a 95 per cent reduction in reports of mobile porting fraud. Read more

Scams
ANZ warns Australians to stay alert for scams during end of financial year
ANZ is warning customers to remain vigilant during the end of financial year period as scammers attempt to target Australians during tax time. Read more

Scams
ANZ warns customers of potential scam surge following RBA rate cut
ANZ has issued a warning to customers about a potential rise in scam activity following the Reserve Bank of Australia's decision to lower the cash rate target by 25 basis points. Read more

Scams
Financial Basics Foundation warns of e-commerce ‘gamification’ targeting Gen Z shoppers
The Financial Basics Foundation has raised concerns over the impact of increasingly sophisticated digital marketing tactics on young consumers during Financial Literacy Month, highlighting the need ...Read more

Scams
ANZ warns Australians of scam risks following Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred
ANZ is urging customers and the broader community to remain vigilant against scammers impersonating trusted organisations in the wake of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Read more

Scams
Navigating online money-making: Scams to avoid
In an era where the click of a button can lead to monetary gain, the internet has become a bustling marketplace for those looking to supplement their income. However, where there is opportunity, there ...Read more

Scams
Cyber criminals using interest rates as bait to trick customers
If you’ve ever found yourself on the receiving end of a suspicious phone call, e-mail or text message claiming to be from a major bank and demanding your details, you’re not alone – and experts are ...Read more

Scams
ATO cracks down on $850m GST fake business fraud
A nationwide crackdown on incidents of fraud involving the creation of fake businesses to scam GST refunds from the federal government has led to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) firmly warning ...Read more

Scams
Crackdown sees more than half a billion scam calls blocked
Initiatives by telcos and the ACMA have also led to a 95 per cent reduction in reports of mobile porting fraud. Read more