Internet Fraud, Classifieds Scams, Abuse and Suspicious Replies are world wide issues that have become widespread in targeting sellers and buyers everywhere specially on the Internet. Often this involves buyers from Nigeria, Africa, Holland and other countries. In recent years, online Pet Classifieds scams have increased and have affected many people.
Online classifieds scams pose threats to both sellers and buyers.
Posing As A Seller:
A Person can post an ad for a puppy that only exist in the item description. Actually, seller doesn't have the puppy that he/she is trying sell or give away. Seller will then ask for money and refer them to the shipping company who is supposed to send the puppy to the buyer. Buyer waits for few days and contacts the seller, but no answer. Tries again for couple of more days..no answer. Finally buyer decides to call the shipping company with the reference number for the puppy. Shipping company replies that they don't have anything related to this reference number or it is not for your puppy. Buyer loses money.
Posing As A Buyer:
A scammer can pose as a buyer of a puppy and contacts the seller. Buyer is desperate to buy and accepts your listed price and suggest that his/her agent will pick up the puppy with a check that is more than the asking price. In return, they ask buyer to deduct amount for the item, get remaining amount and give a fake cashier's check. Seller will lose the puppy and the money.
Check any websites who have classifieds, if they don't have a warning about online scams, they should have!