![]() ![]() By the end of October, a cumulative total of $58,655 was lost in these 69 scams. In the Dallas area, puppy fraud reports are 60% higher this year compared with the same time period during pre-pandemic 2019, according to. Fraudsters typically advertise purebred or designer breeds, such as French bulldogs and goldendoodles. “You just want to be really careful when you’re starting to deal with these puppy websites online.” – Lily Velez, tweet this Many of these puppy scams take place through Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace or fake websites, Velez said. “Everyone wanted an animal because people were dealing with depression and anxiety from all the social isolation,” Velez said. ![]() Scammers took advantage of senior citizens and others in pandemic-induced isolation as they looked to find companionship, she said. Shortly after COVID-19 struck the States, some animal shelters began reporting 100% adoption rates. These scams are occurring at a time when many are looking to pets to help cope with loneliness, Velez said. buyers into paying thousands for nonexistent miniature dachshunds. Earlier this month, Market Watch reported that a Cameroonian student pleaded guilty to participating in an online scam that tricked U.S. Puppy cons have been on the rise during the pandemic. “And as we’re heading into the holidays, especially, a lot of people are going to be looking for puppies - that Christmas puppy to add to their household.” “People are still not really aware of this issue,” said Lily Velez, head of special reports for. The Lone Star State also reported an average loss of $913.20 per would-be pet owner. (California is the state with the most puppy fraud.) 31, it clocked 242 such scams, with 28% occurring in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington. Texans looking to buy a puppy for their loved one this holiday season should be extra careful when shopping online.Īccording to a new study by, Texas is the No. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |