Like clockwork, the scammers are back – this time targeting small business including Australian pet businesses – timed during the “Christmas rush” when there is an increased vulnerability. Here’s how NOT to get caught!

More than 81,000 businesses have reported being targeted, and it’s a real issue for small businesses where relatively untrained employees (store managers, receptionists etc) may not be wary enough to avoid problems READ ABOUT THE SCAM HERE.

Here’s how to avoid the scammers:

1. Tell your staff that any “official” phone call MUST be transferred to you. Tell them to take the phone number and name of the person and pass the call to you for a response. DO NOT let staff provide any key information – bank account details, the name of the boss/owner etc.
2. CALL the ATO consumer line to check if a call is real
3. BE SUSPICIOUS if they say there is no other way to contact them.
4. BE SUSPICIOUS if they talk about “warrants” – the ATO does not issue warrants over the phone.
5. TRAIN your staff on scams – you may save them from being scammed personally as well.

A fake website, OzFreeAds, is scamming your clients and you can help them avoid the scam.

Copyright : Aleksey Shirmanov

Pretending to offer a wide variety of goods, but actually “pushing” cute puppies, the office has been contacted by a number of people in trouble. A quick search of the site shows mis-spelled breed names, and going into an ad and clicking “see all this advertiser’s ads” brings up a wide variety of puppies all from the one advertiser.

One member sent through her discussion with the scammer – which really “gives the game away”

READ THE EXCHANGE HERE.

WARNING TO BREEDER MEMBERS – your legitimate photos are being used by these scammers to sell fake puppies and some scammers are even associating them with your business names. This brings your business name into disrepute and can put you out of business altogether. Learn how to use Tineye or other software to stop your photos being used without your knowledge. For more information on Tineye, contact the office

Anyone buying property in the pet industry, beware! In the latest development from scammers, people are having their emails intercepted and advised to complete the transaction to the scammers account – but it looks like the lawyer or real estate agent is doing the emailing!  It will look to you like there is an association between the lawyer or real estate agent and the settlement agency, but in this case the “settlement agent” is a scammer.

Protect yourself – be aware CLICK TO READ MORE