Are you looking for the perfect pet? It’s essential to exercise caution when shopping online for a furry friend. BBB Scam Tracker often receives reports of online purchase scams for pets. Even though puppies are the most common type of animal used in a pet scam, BBB also receives reports of fraudulent sellers advertising the sale of kittens, reptiles, and birds that have yet to be received. In most cases, consumers only recognize they are interacting with a scammer once they start arranging for the transportation of the animal after purchase.
How the scam works
A consumer recently reported to BBB Scam Tracker that they lost $850 when attempting to buy a Chihuahua puppy online. After paying the initial $650 for the puppy and $200 for airline shipping, the consumer was asked for an additional $950 in cash for pet insurance prior to shipping the puppy.
“I contacted the “breeder” and was told that this is the way it works and that I must pay the $950 to them via Zelle. At this point, I realized the entire transaction was a scam and I told the “breeder” I wanted them to immediately refund my $850. Of course, they never responded after that.”
How to avoid similar scams
Visit the seller in person. Responsible breeders and reputable rescues are happy to offer you a tour and let you see the available puppies in person.
Check references. Read online reviews and talk to other people who have purchased pets from the place you are considering, making sure the seller is trustworthy. Visit BBB.org to read reviews and find BBB Accredited breeders near you.
Look for website warning signs. Fake puppy sale sites look legitimate because they steal content from other websites. An easy way to spot a duplicate site is to copy a line of text from the website and paste it into a search engine. You can also do a reverse image search of the photo of the puppy by using images.google.com to see if the photos are stolen from somewhere else. Read BBB's tip on 6 things to look for when shopping online.
Select on-site. Rather than relying on pictures to pick your perfect pet and waiting for a breeder to send them to you, visit the site and make your choice in person.
Use a credit card to make payment. This offers additional protection if you purchase online. Asking a customer to pay by wire transfer or prepaid card is illegal, and any breeder who pressures you to do so is most likely a scam. Paying via a digital wallet app is also a red flag for a scam.
If you have spotted a scam, or become a victim, please let us know! Go to www.bbb.org/scamtracker.