Elise Archer,Minister for Workplace Safety and Consumer Affairs
Tasmanians looking for a new furry friend are encouraged to be aware of puppy and pet scammers, and spot the warning signs to avoid being left out-of-pocket.
According to Australian Competition and Consumer Commission data, Australians lost over $2.5 million to pet scams in 2021.
Scammers use a broad range of digital platforms to target victims, including fake websites, social networks, online sale sites and instant-messaging apps.
Typically, scammers will advertise sought after breeds of puppies or other pets, and fabricate reasons you cannot meet the pet in person, including that it is located in another State.
Scammers often ask for a holding deposit or payment of transport costs and go to great lengths to seem legitimate.
Like any other scammer, they use advanced techniques to hide their tracks and move the money to make it hard for banks or authorities to track them down.
There are a number of steps people can take to protect themselves against scammers, including only adopting or buying a pet from a breeder you can meet in person and seeking advice and recommendations from a reputable breeder’s association, vet or local pet shop.
And remember – never transfer money to, or share bank account details with, someone who is not a trusted breeder or seller.
If someone has been scammed, they should contact their bank or financial institution as soon as possible, along with alerting the ACCC by visiting: https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/report-a-scam.
