A resident of Corner Brook claims to be out about $6,000 after trying to purchase a purebred dog through a Facebook advertisement.
It’s not the first time somebody has been victimized in such a manner trying to purchase a puppy but the amounts of money involved are usually substantially less.
The person selling the dog claimed to be a reputable breeder.
Corner Brook RNC are investigating the fraud and they remind people to be mindful of such scams. They also advise doing a significant amount of research before committing to purchases involving the sale of animals and items via internet-based advertisements.
The Better Business Bureau offers the following advice to avoid being scammed:
- See the pet in person before paying any money. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, consider a video call with the seller so you can see the seller and the actual pet for sale. Since scammers are not likely to comply with the request, this may help avoid a scam.
- Do a reverse image search of the photo of the pet and search for a distinctive phrase in the description.
- Do research to get a sense of a fair price for the breed you are considering. Think twice if someone advertises a purebred dog for free or at a deeply discounted price… it could be a fraudulent offer.
- Check out a local animal shelter online for pets you can meet before adopting.
There are also Facebook groups dedicated to finding a reputable breeder: Responsible Pet Buying, Breeding, Beware & Resources; Canada