OCEAN CITY, Md. - Scammers across social media have been using dog photos to trick users into sending them money.
Ocean City police say a recent case involved a buyer being asked to send $150 as an Apple gift card in order to buy what appeared to be an AI-generated dog photo.
The department compiled a list of things to be cautious of while you're on social media:
- Suspiciously low prices for purebred puppies may indicate a fake sale
- Poor grammar or spelling mistakes
- Refusal to meet in person or talk on the phone
- High pressure tactics like "act now or lose the puppy" are strategies used by scammers
- Untraceable payment requests like gift cards, PayPal or CashApp
In order to shield yourself from getting scammed, keep these helpful tips in mind:
- Verify the seller or organization through reviews or websites
- Meet the pet in person before buying
- Ask someone you trust for a second opinion
Users should report any suspicious activity they encounter to social media sources or local authorities.