The Inner Circle

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Olivia Rempe
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Very likely a scam. There's more here: https://petscams.com/puppy-scammer-list/melissapugpuppies-com/

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Guillaume Boutisseau
CCSK Authorized Instructor , CCSP
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Oct 28, 2021 12:24:37 PM
From: Olivia Rempe
Subject: Did I just get Phished?

Long story short, I decided to buy a dog online from the following website: https://melissapugpuppies.com/. I've concluded that I may have been involved in a kind of phishing scam. I've never dealt with something like this, so I'm not sure if it is, in fact, a scam or not; I'm just going with my gut here. Does anyone have any recommendations on what I should do in this situation? I've never experienced something like this before, so I'm not sure if I'd be able to get my money back or if I could take this case to court. How do you even report something like this? Or verify the legitimacy of a company that claims to be providing services? Any help is greatly appreciated.

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Olivia Rempe
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@Guillaume Boutisseau Wow, thanks for this. At least now I know how I can report this.​

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Olivia Rempe
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Oct 28, 2021 01:01:00 PM
From: Guillaume Boutisseau
Subject: Did I just get Phished?

Very likely a scam. There's more here: https://petscams.com/puppy-scammer-list/melissapugpuppies-com/

------------------------------
Guillaume Boutisseau
CCSK Authorized Instructor , CCSP

Original Message:
Sent: Oct 28, 2021 12:24:37 PM
From: Olivia Rempe
Subject: Did I just get Phished?

Long story short, I decided to buy a dog online from the following website: https://melissapugpuppies.com/. I've concluded that I may have been involved in a kind of phishing scam. I've never dealt with something like this, so I'm not sure if it is, in fact, a scam or not; I'm just going with my gut here. Does anyone have any recommendations on what I should do in this situation? I've never experienced something like this before, so I'm not sure if I'd be able to get my money back or if I could take this case to court. How do you even report something like this? Or verify the legitimacy of a company that claims to be providing services? Any help is greatly appreciated.

------------------------------
Olivia Rempe
------------------------------

Yes, a scam. Pet buying scams have been around forever, even before the Internet. Any pet seller asking for more than a small deposit, especially so aggressively is probably a scam. Don't be embarrassed. Tens of thousands of people have been deceived. Try to always work with someone local, where you can drive to them to confirm the puppy, and even then you have to be careful. Sorry to hear of your situation. Wish you the best of luck. And hope you get the puppy you want soon.

------------------------------
Roger Grimes
Data-Driven Defense Evangelist
KnowBe4, Inc.
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Oct 28, 2021 12:24:37 PM
From: Olivia Rempe
Subject: Did I just get Phished?

Long story short, I decided to buy a dog online from the following website: https://melissapugpuppies.com/. I've concluded that I may have been involved in a kind of phishing scam. I've never dealt with something like this, so I'm not sure if it is, in fact, a scam or not; I'm just going with my gut here. Does anyone have any recommendations on what I should do in this situation? I've never experienced something like this before, so I'm not sure if I'd be able to get my money back or if I could take this case to court. How do you even report something like this? Or verify the legitimacy of a company that claims to be providing services? Any help is greatly appreciated.

------------------------------
Olivia Rempe
------------------------------

Scam unfortunately. The email style has a style that says scam. The website was done much better.

https://petscams.com/puppy-scammer-list/melissapugpuppies-com/

Getting your money back will largely depend how you paid for it. Pay Pal and Credit card payments are much more likely to refund you than if you paid by debit. Reporting the scam to the whatever financial service you used to pay would be my next step. The above website on the scam also provides some useful links.

Good luck

------------------------------
David Ellis
VP Sales and Corporate Relations
SecureIQLab
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Oct 28, 2021 12:24:37 PM
From: Olivia Rempe
Subject: Did I just get Phished?

Long story short, I decided to buy a dog online from the following website: https://melissapugpuppies.com/. I've concluded that I may have been involved in a kind of phishing scam. I've never dealt with something like this, so I'm not sure if it is, in fact, a scam or not; I'm just going with my gut here. Does anyone have any recommendations on what I should do in this situation? I've never experienced something like this before, so I'm not sure if I'd be able to get my money back or if I could take this case to court. How do you even report something like this? Or verify the legitimacy of a company that claims to be providing services? Any help is greatly appreciated.

------------------------------
Olivia Rempe
------------------------------

Dang, well thanks everyone for your insight and helpful resources. What other types of cyber crime are common? Since I can't exactly swear of the internet for life, I need to be more prepared.

------------------------------
Olivia Rempe
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Oct 29, 2021 01:46:12 PM
From: David Ellis
Subject: Did I just get Phished?

Scam unfortunately. The email style has a style that says scam. The website was done much better.

https://petscams.com/puppy-scammer-list/melissapugpuppies-com/

Getting your money back will largely depend how you paid for it. Pay Pal and Credit card payments are much more likely to refund you than if you paid by debit. Reporting the scam to the whatever financial service you used to pay would be my next step. The above website on the scam also provides some useful links.

Good luck

------------------------------
David Ellis
VP Sales and Corporate Relations
SecureIQLab

Original Message:
Sent: Oct 28, 2021 12:24:37 PM
From: Olivia Rempe
Subject: Did I just get Phished?

Long story short, I decided to buy a dog online from the following website: https://melissapugpuppies.com/. I've concluded that I may have been involved in a kind of phishing scam. I've never dealt with something like this, so I'm not sure if it is, in fact, a scam or not; I'm just going with my gut here. Does anyone have any recommendations on what I should do in this situation? I've never experienced something like this before, so I'm not sure if I'd be able to get my money back or if I could take this case to court. How do you even report something like this? Or verify the legitimacy of a company that claims to be providing services? Any help is greatly appreciated.

------------------------------
Olivia Rempe
------------------------------

The puppy scam page wouldn't load today. When searched with Google, the first option was an add from the BBB: https://www.bbb.org/article/scams/14213-puppy-scams-how-to-protect-yourself-from-fake-online-pet-sellers

They also provide actions to take if puppy scammed.

Going into holiday season usually means an increase in scams. Look out for anything with prices that are too good to be true, high urgency, unusual or bad grammar, oddly selected bold or colored words, strange certifications and weird email source names.

Also, keep in mind that social media websites don't do a whole lot to stop advertisements that lead to scam sites. Just because there is an add on FB, doesn't mean the associated site is legit. Look for a contact number. Check to see if the external links work.

If you get any password reset emails for services you use, don't use the provided link in the email to check. If you buy something online, never use your debit card or money order to make a purchase.

------------------------------
David Ellis
VP Sales and Corporate Relations
SecureIQLab
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Oct 29, 2021 03:54:55 PM
From: Olivia Rempe
Subject: Did I just get Phished?

Dang, well thanks everyone for your insight and helpful resources. What other types of cyber crime are common? Since I can't exactly swear of the internet for life, I need to be more prepared.

------------------------------
Olivia Rempe

Original Message:
Sent: Oct 29, 2021 01:46:12 PM
From: David Ellis
Subject: Did I just get Phished?

Scam unfortunately. The email style has a style that says scam. The website was done much better.

https://petscams.com/puppy-scammer-list/melissapugpuppies-com/

Getting your money back will largely depend how you paid for it. Pay Pal and Credit card payments are much more likely to refund you than if you paid by debit. Reporting the scam to the whatever financial service you used to pay would be my next step. The above website on the scam also provides some useful links.

Good luck

------------------------------
David Ellis
VP Sales and Corporate Relations
SecureIQLab

Original Message:
Sent: Oct 28, 2021 12:24:37 PM
From: Olivia Rempe
Subject: Did I just get Phished?

Long story short, I decided to buy a dog online from the following website: https://melissapugpuppies.com/. I've concluded that I may have been involved in a kind of phishing scam. I've never dealt with something like this, so I'm not sure if it is, in fact, a scam or not; I'm just going with my gut here. Does anyone have any recommendations on what I should do in this situation? I've never experienced something like this before, so I'm not sure if I'd be able to get my money back or if I could take this case to court. How do you even report something like this? Or verify the legitimacy of a company that claims to be providing services? Any help is greatly appreciated.

------------------------------
Olivia Rempe
------------------------------

That's good to hear. I did report the page to the BBB, FTC and IC3 so I'm glad some action against them was taken. I will say the thing that tipped me off was when they asked if I could transfer money from a bitcoin ATM, I'm guessing Bitcoin should be a clear indiction of a scam. Thanks again for the tips.

------------------------------
Olivia Rempe
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Nov 01, 2021 09:20:28 AM
From: David Ellis
Subject: Did I just get Phished?

The puppy scam page wouldn't load today. When searched with Google, the first option was an add from the BBB: https://www.bbb.org/article/scams/14213-puppy-scams-how-to-protect-yourself-from-fake-online-pet-sellers

They also provide actions to take if puppy scammed.

Going into holiday season usually means an increase in scams. Look out for anything with prices that are too good to be true, high urgency, unusual or bad grammar, oddly selected bold or colored words, strange certifications and weird email source names.

Also, keep in mind that social media websites don't do a whole lot to stop advertisements that lead to scam sites. Just because there is an add on FB, doesn't mean the associated site is legit. Look for a contact number. Check to see if the external links work.

If you get any password reset emails for services you use, don't use the provided link in the email to check. If you buy something online, never use your debit card or money order to make a purchase.

------------------------------
David Ellis
VP Sales and Corporate Relations
SecureIQLab

Original Message:
Sent: Oct 29, 2021 03:54:55 PM
From: Olivia Rempe
Subject: Did I just get Phished?

Dang, well thanks everyone for your insight and helpful resources. What other types of cyber crime are common? Since I can't exactly swear of the internet for life, I need to be more prepared.

------------------------------
Olivia Rempe

Original Message:
Sent: Oct 29, 2021 01:46:12 PM
From: David Ellis
Subject: Did I just get Phished?

Scam unfortunately. The email style has a style that says scam. The website was done much better.

https://petscams.com/puppy-scammer-list/melissapugpuppies-com/

Getting your money back will largely depend how you paid for it. Pay Pal and Credit card payments are much more likely to refund you than if you paid by debit. Reporting the scam to the whatever financial service you used to pay would be my next step. The above website on the scam also provides some useful links.

Good luck

------------------------------
David Ellis
VP Sales and Corporate Relations
SecureIQLab

Original Message:
Sent: Oct 28, 2021 12:24:37 PM
From: Olivia Rempe
Subject: Did I just get Phished?

Long story short, I decided to buy a dog online from the following website: https://melissapugpuppies.com/. I've concluded that I may have been involved in a kind of phishing scam. I've never dealt with something like this, so I'm not sure if it is, in fact, a scam or not; I'm just going with my gut here. Does anyone have any recommendations on what I should do in this situation? I've never experienced something like this before, so I'm not sure if I'd be able to get my money back or if I could take this case to court. How do you even report something like this? Or verify the legitimacy of a company that claims to be providing services? Any help is greatly appreciated.

------------------------------
Olivia Rempe
------------------------------