NEWS RELEASE
NIAGARA REGIONAL POLICE
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The Niagara Regional Police Service has found that due to the current COVID-19 pandemic; with so many people isolated in their homes, individuals may be seeking companionship through purchasing a puppy.
One of the scams that is currently on the rise in the Niagara Region is the 'puppy scam'.
The scammer will request money from the purchaser up front, prior to meeting in person. COVID-19 being given as the reason for not being able to meet. This excuse is also used if there is a great distance between the buyer and scamming seller.
After the initial fee is sent to the seller, the buyer is then contacted by a “shipping company” and advised more finances are required to purchase a specialized dog crate. The buyer is often then contacted, advising that insurance is required for the puppy or that the puppy is sick and that more money needs to be sent.
Here are some steps that a buyer can take to try to ensure they are not being victimized by this fraud scam:
1. Request several references from the seller/breeder including the vaccinating veterinarian
2. Check the creation date of the website used to advertise the puppies. A reputable breeder will have an older website where scam related sites may be only one to two weeks old with only recent reviews
3. Hold payment until physically seeing the dog whether in person (while following COVID safety precautions) or via virtual meeting
4. Check the Canadian Kennel Club to confirm whether or not the breeder is listed
5. Check the background of images for inconsistencies
6. For images that are able to be clicked and dragged drag the image to a Google search bar. If the image appears on numerous sites or advertisements this is another red flag
7. Search the email address and phone number provided
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