Consumers warned about internet puppy scam

Shropshire Council’s public protection team is warning Facebook and internet users of a possible scam involving attempts to obtain bank card details and transfers of money for the rehoming of puppies.

It appears that puppies have been advertised on a closed Facebook group by a woman claiming to be from Ipswich. A Shrewsbury consumer approached this woman to enquire about the animals and was told that they had to be rehoused because the woman’s daughter was in hospital. 

It is understood that the woman told the consumer she did not want payment for the dogs but she should pay a £50 delivery fee for a ‘courier’. An attempt was made by email to obtain the consumer’s card details which she rightly did not provide. 

She was given a telephone number for the couriers or delivery men, but when the consumer called, the phone was answered by a male with a very pronounced accent who could not be clearly understood. She was told to visit the post office and make a transfer of funds from there. 

Richard Morris, the public protection officer dealing with the case said:

“This undoubtedly had all the hallmarks of being a scam and an attempt to obtain money fraudulently. 

“If it had not been for the vigilance of the postmaster, Caroline Lewis, and her colleague, Neil Jones, at the Abbey Foregate Post Office in Shrewsbury, who refused to process a transfer of £50 from a customer’s bank card to an unknown payee, the consumer would have lost the £50 and possibly a great deal more. 

“If this scenario is similar to the many stories that are reported on the internet, it is very likely that the puppies the consumer thought she was buying did not even exist, except as a means of ensnaring unwary consumers into parting with their hard earned cash.”

Caroline Lewis, the postmaster at the Abbey Foregate Post Office said:

“If anyone receives an unexpected email asking for a transfer of money to be made via a third party service, then Post Office counter staff will potentially need to check that the transaction is a genuine one and that the method of money transfer is secure. Please do ask staff for advice if you are uncertain as we are always very happy to help.”

When considering buying a pet, public protection officers strongly urge consumers to pay heed to the following advice:

• Do not to enter into any binding contracts over the internet.
• Under no circumstances provide bank account details and only give card details through trusted and secure systems.
• By all means use the internet to locate a breeder but check them out carefully before parting with any money.
• Go and see the animal at home with its mother before agreeing to buy.
• Only agree to buy during a face to face transaction.
• Seek the advice of a local vet.
• Consider obtaining your pet from a local animal rehoming charity; these often have many animals looking for loving homes and you have plenty of opportunity to view and discuss options before committing to buy.  

Councillor Steve Charmley, Shropshire Council Cabinet member responsible for public protection added:

“From time to time we hear of internet fraud scams which are almost ‘urban myths’ with no real connection to anything local. 

“On this occasion, it appears that a Shropshire consumer made enquiries in good faith about the welfare of far away puppies and was almost drawn into making a payment which could have resulted in very disappointing or even serious consequences. 

“On behalf of the consumer I’d like to offer my thanks to the Post Office staff for their vigilance and encourage others to follow their excellent example of protecting people in their communities from fraudsters.”