Thought of the Day - July 14 - COVID Scams 2.0

The mind boggles. Three months ago I wrote that we should beware of folk taking advantage of the COVID scare (https://clifffraser0.wixsite.com/covid-19/post/thought-of-the-day-april-13-beware-covid-scams). The list continues to grow with scams like:

• Cleaning or heating companies offering duct cleaning services or filters to protect from COVID-19 offering "special" air filters;

• Centres for Disease Control (CDC) the World Health Organization (WHO) offering fake lists for sale of COVID-19 infected people in your neighbourhood;

• Public Health Agency of Canada giving false results saying you have been tested positive for COVID-19 tricking you into confirming your health card and credit card numbers for a prescription;

• Got on the other day, directly from the Canadian Cancer society concerning a COVID trial for Cancer patients - turned out to be a trial they were conducting anyway, treatment for compromised immune systems, they just rebranded it to obtain additional funding;

• Financial advisers pressuring people to invest in hot new stocks related to the disease or offering financial aid and/or loans to help you get through the shutdowns.

But I must admit I was taken aback at the magnitude of the gullibility of the Canadian population when I was exposed to the Eastern Europe puppy-mill scheme.

With COVID, people have turned to non-human companionship. Whether to keep the kids entertained, or provide a solo form of exercise, I just don't know. With restrictions on puppy mills in Canada, both legislated and the result of COVID, importers have been quick to jump on the "pity train" convincing victims that there are abandoned pets in less well-to-do countries. While I agree with Forrest Gump "stupid is as stupid does" it is sad to see the real victims here are the dogs themselves.

A month ago it was reported that a flight from the Ukraine arrived in 500 hundred crated puppies, 38 of which were dead. Now Canadian authorities have managed to step in to compensate for our stupidity and have banned this growing practice.

Please, please, this is not the time to get a pet.

Cheers

Cliff