Online puppy scams on the rise ahead of the holidays, Calgary police warn

If you're in the market for a pet, be cautious: online puppy scams are on the rise in 2020, say the Calgary police.

These scams are expected to escalate as the holidays approach, police said Tuesday in a news release.

There have been 33 reports of online puppy scams in the city so far this year, and police said Calgarians have paid more than $30,000 for animals they never received.

The Calgary Police Service said it received 10 reports of puppy scams for all of 2019, with an estimated loss of $6,100.

"As we find ourselves in the holiday season and in the middle of a global pandemic, we know that pets can be a great source of companionship, especially for those living alone," said Const. Kris Anton with CPS's economic crimes unit.

"Unfortunately, there are scammers out there who prey on people's emotions and generosity this time of year. Our goal is to educate citizens about how to protect their personal information and hard-earned money and how to legitimately purchase or adopt a pet."

The puppy that never arrives

Police said the busiest months for puppy scams in 2020 have been October, with eight reports, and November, with seven.

In the most common variations of the scam, Calgarians looking for puppies to buy online are paying the full cost of — or putting down deposits for — a pet that never arrives.

Sometimes the seller never meets the buyer at the location where the dog is supposed to be delivered, or is told more money is needed to transport the animal.

Once the buyer becomes suspicious, the fraudster ends communication, police said.

And after the scam has occurred and money has been exchanged, it can be difficult for the buyer to get it back, as the fraudsters are often not local.

How to avoid a puppy scam

Police included tips for Calgarians to avoid a puppy scam in the press release.

The warning signs of a possible scam include:

• The seller asks for payment upfront, and wants to use payment methods like Bitcoin or wire money transfers.
• The seller requests additional payments multiple times for things like travel, insurance or pet crates.
• Communication from the seller becomes less frequent once they receive payment.

To report fraudulent activity, citizens are asked to contact the Calgary Police Service's non-emergency number at 403-266-1234, or call 911 for a crime in progress.