Pet Scams Are On the Rise — Here’s How To Protect Yourself from Losing Thousands

Pet scams are costing South Africans thousands. Protect yourself with PawPay, a secure payment system from Pets24 that keeps your money safe until your new pet arrives. No risk, no scammers — just happy tails.

With pet scams in South Africa on the rise and victims losing an average of R17,000, Pets24 has introduced PawPay, a secure payment platform designed to protect both pet buyers and breeders. PawPay ensures funds are safely held until the buyer confirms receipt and satisfaction with their pet, eliminating the risk of scams and offering a safer, transparent way to buy pets online.

With pet scams in South Africa on the rise, unsuspecting buyers are losing thousands of rands in fraudulent transactions every day. According to a News24 article, organised crime groups are targeting unsuspecting buyers, with scams involving fake online puppy listings and stolen photos. Victims are losing an average of R17,000 per scam, and the trend is escalating. But now, there’s a secure solution to protect both buyers and breeders — PawPay, a new payment platform from Pets24, designed to eliminate the risk of fraud and provide peace of mind during the pet-buying process.

“Buying a pet should be an exciting, joyful experience — not a stressful or costly one,” says Kristen Louw, Product Lead at Pets24. “Unfortunately, scammers are exploiting pet buyers across the country, and the loss is not just financial; it’s emotional as well. PawPay was designed to give both pet buyers and breeders peace of mind by ensuring a secure, scam-proof transaction every time.”

How to Spot Pet Scams and Protect Yourself

1. Too Good to Be True Prices: If a pet is priced significantly lower than others in the market, it’s a red flag. Scammers often use low prices to lure in unsuspecting buyers.

2. Lack of Reviews or References: A legitimate breeder will be happy to provide you with references or online reviews. No reviews? No deal.

3. Stolen Photos and Fake Listings: Scammers often use stolen images from other breeders or fake pet photos. Ask for live videos or additional pictures to verify the pet's authenticity.

4. Urgency to Pay: Beware of anyone rushing you into quick payments without giving you time to verify the pet or breeder. Never send money before confirming the legitimacy of the seller.

How PawPay Protects You From Pet Scams

PawPay’s innovative 5-step process is designed to eliminate fraud and ensure transparency, making it the perfect solution for secure pet transactions:

1. Agreement: Buyer and breeder agree on the pet and price.

2. Secure Payment: Payment is made through PawPay and securely held on the buyer’s behalf by Paw Pay.

3. Delivery: The breeder safely delivers the pet to the buyer.

4. Confirmation: Buyer confirms the safe arrival of the pet.

5. Release Funds: PawPay releases the funds to the breeder, ensuring both parties are satisfied with the transaction.

Why Choose PawPay?

• Secure Payments: Every payment is backed by bank-grade security, keeping your personal and financial information safe from fraudsters.

• Free To Use: Its free to use for pet buyers 

• Transparency and Real-Time Updates: Both buyers and breeders receive real-time updates via WhatsApp, ensuring full visibility throughout the transaction process.

• Nationwide Coverage: Whether you're buying from a breeder in Johannesburg, Cape Town, or anywhere in South Africa, PawPay ensures your purchase is secure no matter where you are.

Plus, with Pets24's Find Services, you can connect with registered breeders, ensuring a safe and reliable purchase every time.

5 Simple Steps to Protect Yourself from Pet Scams

1. Agree on the pet and price.

2. Use PawPay to make your secure payment.

3. Wait for your pet’s safe delivery.

4. Confirm the pet’s safe arrival and your satisfaction.

5. PawPay releases the funds to the breeder.

Protect Yourself from Scams Today

Don’t risk losing your hard-earned money. PawPay is now available to all South African pet buyers and breeders. Secure your next pet transaction with ease and peace of mind.

👉 Sign up today to start using PawPay and protect yourself from pet scams.

About Pets24
Pets24 is South Africa’s leading pet platform, dedicated to helping pet lovers navigate the world of pet care, adoption, and buying. With a focus on trust, transparency, and security, PawPay is part of Pets24’s ongoing mission to eliminate pet scams and offer safe, reliable services for pet buyers and breeders across South Africa.

Media Contact:
Kamohelo
Kamo@pets24.co.za
Pets24.co.za