Most scams follow the same pattern, so knowing the signs keeps you safe.
- Be wary of a price that seems too good to be true, especially for popular breeds.
- Walk away if someone wants a deposit before you meet, or courier, shipping or pet transport fees.
- Be careful if they want to move the chat to WhatsApp, Telegram or text, or ask for gift cards, crypto or a bank transfer first.
- Watch for photos that look like they’re from a website, or a story about moving overseas.
- Always meet the pet in person before paying anything. Never pay a deposit or transport fee up front.
Good to know
- We screen new listings and show warnings on messages that mention payments, shipping, links or other apps.
- Not sure? Report it, and read our full guide to pet scams in NZ.