Ok, I'm following up on my earlier note. I searched our newspaper archives and found the following note about what to do when being scammed. See below. (Also, I think I've found a reporter to try and see if anyone in Iowa has been scammed and do a story, I'll let you know if it comes to fruition.)
Also, yestereday I Googled puppy scam and this is one of the first website that popped up:
http://www.nextdaypets.com/directory...orum/3265.aspx
seems folks there were talking about this back at the beginning of Nov. I just Googled puppy scam again - and the first thing to pop up was YT!!
also found this at
http://www.terrificpets.com/scams/
Some key points for pointing out a scammer:
1. Doesn't care much about the pet, just the transaction.
2. Says they will use their own shipper.
3. 95% of the scammers are from overseas (Nigeria, Israel, South Africa)
4. Pays you more then the pet is worth, then asks for the difference in money back.
We've got to get the word out folks - CALL YOUR LOCAL MEDIA AND SEE IF THEY WILL DO A STORY!!!
OK - here's the advice that ran in our paper from a police officer on what to do about scammers:
* Call the U.S. Secret Service at (202) 406-5572 or write to: U.S. Secret Service, Financial Crimes Division, 950 H. St., Washington, D.C., 20001.
* E-mail complaints to the Secret Service at
419.fcd@usss.treas.gov.
* For more information, visit
www.IowaAttorneyGeneral.org. --- YT folks - GET IN TOUCH WITH YOUR ATTORNEY GENERAL - GET THEM TO GO AFTER THE SCAMMERS AND PUPPYFIND!!!