The Clover Street Vets say the impact of the scams is far reaching, as it's affected their customers and their pets too.
Kristin Hawthorne reports.
Kristin Hawthorne reports.
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00:00I felt absolutely awful. Words don't explain how awful I felt because it's something that
00:06could be such a smooth transaction and that should have been very straightforward.
00:10When you think of a scam, you may think of text messages or online links, but when this
00:15vet clinic in Chatham was targeted, the suspect was not hiding behind a screen.
00:20Just yesterday, a man walked into this vet to get treatment for his dog. The initial
00:24cost was only £20, but after being handed the machine, he tampered with the device,
00:29refunding himself almost £6,000. Apparently, it only took a few seconds.
00:34Clover Street Vets in Chatham has been a victim to a new kind of scam that has left them in
00:39shock, urging them to share their experience and warn others to stay vigilant during the
00:44busy Christmas period. The scam was done through their card machine that is commonly used by
00:49smaller businesses.
00:50I think it's awful, especially over Christmas, added on top of everything. I mean, small
00:54businesses struggle anyway. To be self-employed is really difficult, but for, you know, companies
01:01to have trust in their customers, not to scam them. But I think it's just something that
01:07people need to be more aware of and that it can happen in the blink of an eye. And I would
01:11just urge people, if something doesn't look right or feel right, then to definitely contact
01:15the card companies as soon as possible. And hopefully, the quicker the action, the better
01:20the outcome.
01:22Scams are vital for our pets, wildlife and animals that are in need of help. And when
01:27scams like this happen, it has a real impact on those who rely on the service, especially
01:32during Christmas time when animals are much more likely to be abandoned due to financial
01:36pressures and overbreeding.
01:38We work with Wisteria Cat Rescue. He's with us on a daily basis. And it's very, it does
01:46put a strain on the work that we're able to do with him at reduced cost to allow him to
01:51do the work that he needs.
01:54So we'll be here six days a week visiting the vets for all different things. At Christmas
01:59time, we do see a rise in, unfortunately, animals being dumped. Only last week, we was
02:03out at Raynham to five young kittens that had been dumped in a car park. So it's so
02:07important to have a vet that's readily available.
02:11In a statement, Kent Police have said that officers have spoken to the victim and an
02:14investigation is underway, including the review of CCTV.
02:18I hope it doesn't happen to anybody else. And just, you know, shopkeepers, particularly
02:23those that have terminals that can input amounts, just to be extra vigilant.
02:29So in the midst of Christmas time and rising scams in Kent, it is important to stay aware.
02:34Kristen Hawthorne for KMTV in Chatham.