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- Once you’ve made the payment, the fraud will send you all the information looking entirely legit, even the shipping slips. But alas, there won’t be a pup on the way. More often than not, the scammer will tell you there are additional fees when they get to the shipping location.
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May 31, 2019 · Don’t be swayed by authentic-looking websites. Scammers swipe photos, videos and testimonials from legitimate pet sites and create detailed web pages for fake transport companies. Don’t deal with an advertiser or seller who doesn’t provide a phone number or will communicate only by email or text.
Jan 19, 2021 · All complaints describe sending money electronically or by wire transfer to a company they found online and did not receive the pet as promised. Some even state they were contacted to send additional money for air transportation or special vaccinations because of COVID-19.
- 10 Signs of Puppy Scams
- 10 Ways to Avoid Craigslist Puppy Scams
- Common Questions About Puppy Scams
- Puppy Scams: Before You Go
1. The Price is Fantastic!
You can't believe your eyes when you see the pictures and the low price. Generally, the purebred dog of this breed will cost you about $5,000 at a reputable breeder, but the ad or the fake breeder's website offers the same dog for only $500. If this is a local ad, the sellers will also have a reason to avoid a face-to-face meeting.
2. Discounted or Negotiable Prices
While some reputable breeders do, in fact, sell dogs they feel are not “show-worthy” at a discount, those dogs will be typically neutered. In the ad or website, if you see claims of the dog still being breed-worthy for future pups, there's a good chance you've just found a dog-selling scam.
3. The Dog is Free
This is a common technique found on sites like Craigslist. The seller says they wish to rehome the dog, and you only need to pay for the shipping. They will require you to wire them money through Western Union or MoneyGram (or use a prepaid debit card), securing the dog for you. You cannot trace such money wires. They will also keep emailing you back about additional costs, such as quicker/safer shipping, etc.
So how do you protect yourself from being scammed when buying a puppy or adult dog online? The two best ways are to either adopt a dog from a rescue shelter or buy from a reputable breeder (here's a listof American ones). If neither of these is an option, here are some tips on avoiding Facebook or Craigslist puppy scams.
To help you avoid falling victim to a puppy scam or another type of pet scam, we gathered some quick information in a convenient Q&A format.
You may protect yourself from puppy scams by taking basic safety precautions and watching out for warning signs. Anyone could become a victim of fraud, but there are steps you can take to protect yourself. Make it a rule to never pay for something that you haven't actually touched. Make sure you connect with real sellers by visiting their websites ...
Jan 31, 2022 · A scammer pretends to need dog walking services, sending payment by money order. They overpay for the service, and the unsuspecting victim will send back what’s overpaid. Unfortunately, with a money order, the payment can go through in a few days, and then the cheque bounces after about a month at the bank.
Nov 13, 2014 · Don’t use a money transfer service. The surest sign of a scam is when someone insists you use a money transfer service – like Western Union or MoneyGram – as the only form of payment for a pet. Money transfers are like sending cash; once you send it, you can’t get it back.
Sep 26, 2017 · Buyers who waffle at paying the fees are sometimes told the puppy is already at the airport and if they don’t sent more money for shipping, they will be criminally charged with abandonment of an animal, said Jeni Redmond of the International Pet and Animal Transportation Association.
If a payment was sent through an online money transfer app, like Western Union, reach out to the company appeals group to see if reversal is an option. The next course of action when discovering you are a victim of a scam is reaching out to a regulating body.
