How Dog Groomers Can Stay Safe from Scams on Resale Sites
Gone are the days where the word ‘scam’ was solely associated with an email from a long lost relative declaring you were the last living heir to a sizable inheritance - an email that most likely entered your inbox as you stared at both of your oblivious and very alive parents and siblings sitting on the family couch.
As dog groomers, upgrading or replacing our tools - clippers, tables, dryers, baths - is an ongoing part of the job. Sites like Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree, and local buy–swap–sell pages have become all the more popular to snag a bargain or sell your own used and unused equipment. But what isn’t ever written in the fine print of the product description is the harrowing fact that scammers are becoming much more sophisticated.
Now believe it or not, the reason you were conned out of an ‘as new’ set of clippers last week actually dates back to 1956 - as always… stay with us - when 20 mathematicians and scientists at Dartmouth College gathered and birthed this utterly insane concept of AI technology. The idea that one day a computer could learn and replicate human behaviour, communication and image development. We love the idea of the same group of now 90-year-olds bonding over the fact that without them we wouldn’t be able to ask ChatGPT how to perfectly poach an egg, but all jokes aside, the development since AI was first conceptualised is quite astonishing!
So, what does AI have to do with this new wave of scamming?
With the rise of AI-generated images and deepfake technology, fake listings and impersonation scams are more convincing than ever. Here are some of the facts that made us want to shut down our computers and crawl under our beds:
- AI-generated scams are up 62% year-on-year.
- Impersonation scams have surged 148%, making it easier for criminals to pose as trusted buyers or sellers.
- Deepfake fraud has skyrocketed — up 1,300% in 2024 alone, with fake photos, videos, and even live video calls being used to trick victims.
- Globally, over AUD$300 million was lost in just the first quarter of 2025 to deepfake-enabled scams.
What do these stats mean specifically to dog groomers who are simply trying to upgrade their grooming table? Scammers can now create realistic images of equipment that doesn’t exist, or impersonate a known groomer or supplier to gain your trust. In other words, there are some very nasty folks out there that are your reminder of why you opted to work with dogs and not people in the first place - because people can be absolute a**holes.
But we’re not just here to scare the crap out of you and wish you good luck, because while AI tools are making scams harder to spot, the underlying tactics often look like this:
As a Buyer
- The “Too-Good-To-Be-True” Deal: An item is priced far below market value with convincing photos (which may be AI-generated).
- Phantom Product: You pay for an item that never arrives - and the seller disappears.
As a Seller
- Fake Payment Receipts: A “buyer” claims they’ve transferred money with a fake screenshot as proof.
- Overpayment Trick: They “accidentally” pay too much and ask you to refund the difference before the payment clears.
- Fake Courier Service: The “buyer” insists on using their courier (really the scammer themselves) who demands extra fees.
How to Protect Yourself
1. Verify Photos & Listings
● Ask for additional photos with a handwritten note showing today’s date next to the item.
● Reverse-search the images in Google to see if they’ve been stolen from another site.
● Be wary of listings where the photos look “too perfect” - AI-generated images often lack fine details or have visual anomalies (e.g., warped edges, mismatched shadows, 4 fingers - you get the drift).
2. Meet in Person Where Possible
● For large items, arrange a collection at your salon or a safe public location.
● Inspect the item thoroughly before paying.
3. Use Safe Payment Methods
● Bank transfer to a verified Australian account.
● PayPal “Goods and Services” for buyer protection.
● Cash for face-to-face deals.
● Avoid gift cards, cryptocurrency, or untraceable money transfers.
4. Watch for Impersonation
● Double-check usernames, spelling, and account age.
● If you think you know the seller, confirm via an independent channel (like calling their known business number) before transferring money.
5. Keep Communication on the Platform
● Scammers often push you to WhatsApp or text to avoid being reported.
● Staying on the marketplace platform makes it easier to flag suspicious behaviour.
6. Trust Your Instincts
● If it feels rushed, pressured, or too good to be true - walk (no - RUN!) away.
And in an era where AI tech is making fake listings look real, vigilance is no longer optional - it’s part of doing business safely.
With love,
igroomhub.
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