Security News > 2020 > May > Coronavirus pandemic coincides with spike in online puppy scams
Riddle: What do you get when you cross the COVID-19 quarantine with bored kids, heart-melting online ads for floppy-eared spaniel puppies, and online ordering?
The Better Business Bureau last week raised the alarm on what it says is a spike in online puppy scams it's seeing now that the pandemic has so many people stuck at home, wistfully imagining that it's the perfect time to train and bond with a little fluff ball.
According to the BBB, nearly 85% of people who post pictures of puppies online are just trying to scam you.
Pat Brady, who runs the online pet scam reporting site PetScams, says that his service has seen a similar increase in scams during lockdown.
The kittens and pups are advertised for sale online but scammers state potential buyers are unable to see them in person due to the coronavirus outbreak.