Questions And Answers

Some Helpful Hints Regarding Scams

It’s a real shame today the amount of scams that are out there. They are in every field and every profession. It seems like every year around the Holidays, the feedback from customers who have been scammed, or almost scammed appears to double! There are “vendors” or “sellers” who are scammers, but also there are “buyers” who are scammers, too.

Because of the scam situation, I keep it simple and don’t ask for deposits up front. When we meet with the kitten, if you like it, that’s when you pay and go home with a new kitten. Your only outlay at that point would be for a carrier, some food, bowls, litter box, litter, which if all unused, could probably be returned if you decide not to take the kitten.

But no matter what you are doing, or shopping for, the following are a few helpful hints.

• Poorly written sites are a big clue. Look carefully at the grammar. Words may not be used correctly, and punctuations misplaced or absent.
• Sites that just don’t flow well. Scammers take bits and pieces from multiple sites. There’s just something that is “off” about the site.
• A deal that is too good to be true! It usually is “too good to be true”!
• Photos. Are they fairly consistent? Do some of them look really old?
• Look at the phone number, if there is one. Is it local? Do you recognize the area code? What kind of recording do you get when you call it? I don’t have a messaging system set up BECAUSE of all the spam and scams I was getting. However, if you contact me via email or text, I will gladly call you back at your convenience to have a conversation with you.
• If you request a callback, or to speak with someone, do they refuse and only transact via text or email?
• NONE of them want to have a conversation with you. Most have a heavy accent and are from a foreign country. Listen closely to their “English”.
• Be wary of how much money they are asking for up front. Then they may be asking for more money, and/or to send it to a third party or elsewhere. They may tell you that you need to purchase other items, too. Don’t fall for it.
• Don’t fall for the “Well, we have one just like it”, or “This is the last one we have”. Ask to see more photos and for them to hold up one, two or three fingers in one of the photos with the kitten or item of interest. You can also request a piece of paper with a particular word written on it placed in the photo with the item.
• If purchasing a kitten, you can ask to see photos of the parents, but this too they can steal from another site. Ask for a short video of the kitten instead.
• Don’t let them tell you to call back from another line. They might want you to send a 6-digit code back to them, or they want a friend’s or relative’s number. Don’t give them your address, or full name if you’re just inquiring about something. That’s more info they’ll know about you, or could find out about you, and you know nothing about them.

This, of course, is not a complete list. It’s a fair amount of information to arm you with and open your eyes a little more to scams. I hope it helps you the next time you’re shopping or searching for something on the internet.