FRAUD ALERT: PUPPY SCAMS

Those cute lil' puppies you've seen for sale on Facebook? They might be fake.

More scammers are selling fake puppies online, and it can cost you hundreds if you're caught out.

Here's what you need to know (plus lots of puppy pics)

It’s only legal to buy puppies and kittens from licensed breeders, or adopt them from a rescue.

But you might still see listings on sites like Gumtree or Facebook Marketplace. And there's no way to tell if these are legit sellers or not.

The scam works when the fraudster asks for a 'deposit' to hold onto your beloved pet-to-be. This can be around £200-300. But then the seller goes quiet and you never see them, or your money again.

HOW TO BUY A PUPPY/KITTEN WITHOUT GETTING SCAMMED:

Check the seller out. Look at their reviews. Legit sellers shouldn't be using Gumtree/Facebook.

Video call the seller and ask to see the animal in advance.

Don't be tempted by low prices! Question anything too good to be true.

Avoid paying by bank transfer. They're instant, and hardest to get your money back from.

If you see a dodgy listing, please report it. And only buy from licensed sellers

Read more about scammers selling fake puppies and kittens on our blog https://monzo.com/blog/2020/05/puppy-and-kitten-deposit-scams-are-on-the-rise?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social