This is a common technique found on sites like Craigslist. If you have been scammed by a puppy shipper, feel free to post your correspondence in the “comments” section below this post as others have done, as it will help to deter the criminals. Key points: Would-be buyers have lost nearly $300,000 on puppy scams since January; Puppy scammers place online ads for animals that don't exist There is no pet. Check if you can get your money back. If they refuse, it is a scam. We've listed some tips on how to buy safely with a step-by-step guide to follow along the way. Were you able to get your money back? Never use services such as Paypal or Western Union money transfer to make a payment for a pet. The story as to why a person is selling or re-homing their pup or adult dog becomes more complex and heart-wrenching as it evolves. How to Safely Buy a Puppy Online. Animals are offered up for adoption at no cost—all you have to do is pay for the shipping. Credit cards are best for this, and you can easily issue a chargeback if you get scammed. Before you even bid on your first item, make sure your PayPal and eBay settings are as secure as possible. Use those references and call them up. Know about your chosen breed and any regulations that apply. Pet scam criminals often use free websites, Craig’s List, local newspapers, or Facebook to advertise pets that do not exist. The study also includes real stories of scammed people: Most puppy sale frauds are done over the internet because online animal sales are still unregulated. Most legitimate breeders will welcome the visit. 10 Signs of Puppy Scams (And How to Avoid Being Tricked), Addison’s Disease in Dogs: The Guide for Pet Owners, 10 Key Differences Between Wolves and Dogs, Swimmer Puppy Syndrome: How to Help Your Dog, The Science-based Guide for Feeding Athletic Dogs, TOP #123: Ridesharing for Dogs and Their Owners, TOP #120: How to Pick Mentally Stimulating Toys for Dogs, TOP #119: How to Restrain Dogs in Cars to Keep Them Safe, Recipe: Beef Stew for Dogs with A Sensitive Stomach, Recipe: High Fiber Dog Treats with Oat Bran, Recipe: Grain Free Dog Treats with Coconut Flour, How Do Dogs Get Parvo and How to Prevent It, 5 Reasons To Start Making Dog Food At Home, Giveaway: Spruce Grab & Go Leash Bag ($30+ Value), Review: PetFusion Outdoor Pet Waste Disposal, Review: Hyper Pet K9 Kannon Tennis Ball Launcher, 13 Best Hunting Dogs You Should Know About, Puppy Blues: What To Do If You’re Overwhelmed With Your Puppy, Giveaway: Dog Walking Supplies Package ($80+ Value), Tito’s Handmade Vodka Shows Their Love for Dogs, Seventeen of the Healthiest Medium and Small Dog Breeds, 10 Surprisingly Dangerous Dog Breeds if Not Trained Properly. The consumer fraud is incalculable. Because they will often work on dogs sold from such places, they are a great resource of information. NBC Universal, Inc. There are dozens of sites that have pets-for-sale listings and according to the above study, 80% of them are scams. If you can't pick them up yourself, or meet the person halfway, give them the money in person, and receive the dog in person at the same time, IT'S A SCAM. Do an internet search of the picture of the pet you are considering. Ask to see personalized photographs. Sounds good, right? Avoid internet purchases unless you can travel to meet the dog. A Mississauga man, who was still mourning the loss of his beloved dog, was shocked after he said he was scammed out of more than $3,000 trying to buy a new puppy. This is a baited hook, making you feel more secure so you pay the extra fees. More people I know are going back to breeders because of the ridiculous hoops that shelters are making adopters jump through. 2. Read the information below to help ensure do not become a victim of fraud. That is the easiest way to tell if it's a scam. Read on to learn more about what to do if you have bought a sick puppy. Most scammers will not get on the phone. These articles can prove informative for all prospective pet owners, not just those looking to buy a dog or puppy! The seller prefers to handle communication by email and not the phone. For example, it’s entirely legal for USDA facilities to keep dogs for their entire lives in tiny cages that are only six inches longer than the dog in each direction. You’ll stay away from online scammers, get a puppy with healthier genetics (inbreeding for certain traits can cause health problems in purebred dogs), and you’ll know you haven’t contributed to puppy mills. You can talk to vets while also asking for their input on regional dog sellers that they recommend. The best way to eliminate Puppy Mills is to never purchase a puppy online or from a pet store. Fraudsters generally use pictures of real puppies from other ads or Facebook posts, and you can use Google's reverse image search to check if that photo has been posted anywhere else. We were told it was a girl. Reply Ask for multiple pictures of the pet, including poses with specific items (a recent newspaper, a tennis ball, etc.) Sonia Torres 7-29-2020 at 9:16 pm. Reliable breeders take responsibility for and have confidence in their dogs. Odd results when you research the breeder online: Scammers might use a fake breeder name, or steal a name and puppy photos from a legit breeder. When you first buy your new puppy, you should take care to check it over thoroughly for any signs of ill health or other problems before you commit to take it home. The breeder can't ship it without the necessary vaccinations and paperwork so all you'd need to do is to get it into your vehicle and drive home. Was it sick? Do you feel more comfortable marching... © 2020 TopDogTips.com. You fall in love with the picture, contact the scammer and begin to talk to them about purchasing the adorable little puppy. Every day we see so many beautiful puppies online. There is a death in the family, loss of a job, or moving to a place that doesn't take pets. If neither of these is an option, here are some tips on avoiding Facebook or Craigslist puppy scams. This can happen any time, but you'll often see it during the holidays when people are more emotional about finding a new family pet. If you believe that you have encountered a puppy or adult dog buying scam, please report it. Consider performing a reverse image search with the picture of the pet. It is the first step in a lifelong commitment that comes with hard work and responsibilities. Reply. If the same picture appears on multiple websites or stock image websites, cut off communication with the seller immediately. If this is a local ad, the sellers will also have a reason to avoid a face-to-face meeting. There are dozens of sites that have pets-for-sale listings and according to the above study, 80% of them are scams. Trust your gut—if the seller is being fishy, move on, no matter how good the price is. Is it better to buy or adopt a puppy? Young puppies need to be fed three to four times a day. While some reputable breeders do in fact sell dogs they feel are not “show-worthy” at a discount, those dogs will be typically neutered. Have you been scammed with trying to buy a dog? If you work in a job where you will be away from the house 9.00am to 5.00pm without being able to take your pet with you or find someone who can spend time with the puppy during the day, we would really recommend reconsidering whether this is the best time for you to get one. Puppy scam- How to avoid puppy scammers 1 Views Comments(0) Upvotes(0) Downvotes(0) In this video,I will hopefully help you avoid getting scammed when looking for your new pet.It is a major problem and is only going to get worse. A woman found an online ad to adopt a puppy from a family for free and she'd only have to pay for shipping, which she did, but the costs kept increasing (extra payment for faster shipping, dog's health insurance, etc.) Easy Steps to follow when buying your Puppy online. Female dogs can be bred at every opportunity, churning out litter after litter of puppies with little to no time fo… Talk to other dog owners. People looking to buy pets during the coronavirus lockdown have been scammed out of more than £280,000 over the past two months, according to Action Fraud. After the first payment is made by the victim, the scammer will often make up a believable story on why they need an additional payment, and the farce will continue for as long as possible. But if you're set on buying a puppy of a specific breed or age, note that online puppy scams have been increasing over the last few years. The seller say they wish to rehome the dog and you only need to pay for the shipping. and she kept paying until Delta Airline informed her she's been scammed. If you see an ad like this, chances are it is a scam. In others, doing so may not be possible, but measures need to be taken to prevent further fraud. Scammers often target people in their late teens and twenties; At least 80% of online pets sales ads and websites are fake; Western Union and MoneyGram are the primary outlets used by fraudsters; Most victims are from the U.S., Canada and Australia; U.S. states with most scams are California, Texas, Florida and New York; Most scammers are from Cameroon, West Africa; The average amount victims lose is $300, but in some cases it was up to $5,000; Most popular breeds are the ones most likely to be found on these fake ads (e.g. The study also has tips for avoiding puppy scams: • Don’t buy a pet without seeing it in person. All good reputable breeders will want to talk to you over the phone numerous times. According to the report, “The simple truth is that the best way to avoid a fraud is to inspect the pet yourself by arranging to meet with the prospective seller in person. See how clean it is, how professional does it seem. The study also has tips for avoiding puppy scams: • Don’t buy a pet without seeing it in person. If you’ve lost money because of a scam, there might be things you can do to get it back. Did it require vet care right away? As I said before, if you buy a puppy sight unseen and do not visit where it was born and raised, it is very likely that you are supporting an inhumane, below-standard breeding facility. Events can introduce you to reputable breeders or rescue organization in your area that you can work with in person. Fake breeder's website which you find from an online search; Facebook puppy scams where fraudsters disguised as real people post a sale of a dog for whom “they wish to find a new home.”. Do not go here to get a puppy! Can you afford to feed, train and care for a pupp Now that I lost $300, they’re not going to get gifts to make up for this," she said. There's been a lot of pandemic puppy love … Be smart and check your facts. A reputable breeder is also able to tell you the dog's entire pedigree with ease, including health history and anything else you wish to know. Research prices for the breed you are interested in adopting, according to the BBB. Expensive animals, like Bulldogs or toy breeds, are offered at very low prices. Better Business Bureau (BBB) conducted a study on Craigslist puppy scams (and other similar internet sales of dogs), finding that 12.5% of all reported online purchase fraud was related specifically to puppy sale scams as consumers filed tens of thousands of reports. Such money wires cannot be traced. … Here are some tips and tricks to help out. Humans and canines have been hunting together for a long time, probably ever since dogs were first domesticated. Reply. Some people like the glossy look of a short-haired dog. To get a USDA license, a breeder must follow the basic standards of the federal Animal Welfare Act. Meet the mother dog and see the conditions yourself, first-hand. If that is the case, there are a few things you should do. Don't get scammed! “Scam websites can look quite convincing, so try not to fall for the adorable puppy pictures they post, and remember, if the price looks too good to be true, it probably is.” How you noticed it was a scam? Dig below the surface, and you may be surprised. If you think this has happened, the National Cyber Security Centre has advice on recovering an account that’s been hacked. However, please delete any of your own personal contact information from the correspondence you are copy/pasting into your comment prior to posting your comment. Many people get excited by the prospect of a new puppy that they make the mistake and send money to scammers. It has given greedy, opportunistic breeders an avenue directly into peoples’ homes. If they do ship the puppy to you, get to the airport on time (or early) with the flight information (which flight number and airline) and pick up the puppy. “The $300 is very hard to lose at Christmas time. Did you get a dog at all? Step #1: Contact Your Financial Institution If you have never had a puppy, then you might not realize what you're about to get into. It's one thing to be ready to get a dog, especially an adult dog. 1. Did you pay for a dog you never received? Thus, even though the number of complaints was nearly 40,000 in 2017, there are likely many more puppy scams taking place every day. Steps. Yorkshire Terriers or French Bulldogs) because many people want to own them and they're more difficult/expensive to get. Use Scam Tracking Websites. “The safest option is to only buy or adopt a pet you can meet in person and if you cannot do that during the current lockdown restrictions, consider putting the search on hold,” Ms Rickard said. Sometimes this is true, but unless you have a way of verifying it, remain wary. Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube. Very similar thing happened with an English Bulldog breeder, but the buyers were able to identify the fraud just before sending the money. “Scammers get you attached to a picture of a pet and then that makes you illogical,” Brady said. Contact Your Financial Institution for Possible Recourse. However, you are not interested in driving halfway across the country to pick the new puppy up. I hope you find this post before you do get scammed! 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. A Pomeranian puppy is a gorgeous pet but don’t risk being scammed because your eyes light up at the thought of owning such a beautiful animal. It's not a bad idea to have an entirely separate email and bank account dedicated solely to your eBay transactions. If so would you share your story? because they can get the money before you realize you’ve been tricked. to make sure the pet is real. Who wouldn’t want such a special friend to live with us longer? As with most online scams, if something seems too good to be true, it is. 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. One, because their English is very bad, and two, the phone bill would be very high since they are in a different country than you are. Some towns do not allow this breed, and the breeder should know this, and they will need to research you before selling to you. What to do when you want to buy a puppy. There are three main ways online puppy scams are done: What Facebook puppy scam post may look like: Here's an example of an email a scammer may send: Fraudsters primarily take advantage of people who want a purebred dog but do not want to pay a full price for the puppy at reputable breeders, which will often range from $2000 and up to $10,000 or even more. Do NOT use email as the only means of communication. Tim Adams from Dogs Victoria, the association representing purebred breeders, has some tips. In addition, ask the breeder to place a small card in photographs of the dog with your name or the date written on it. Try all these. Again, you want that meet-and-greet and nothing less. This site explains more about the whole process. Always dig up as much information about the breeder/seller online, and look at the Better Business Bureau or other reviews. Does the thought of being the twentieth person in your neighborhood to get a Lab make you itch? Intensive breeding facilities, otherwise known as puppy factories, puppy farms, and puppy mills, do not have the puppies’ (or kittens), or their parents, welfare interests at heart. A real and professional dog seller will always ask you questions because they care for their animals. Your Sellers Payment Options. Never buy an animal that you haven’t seen in the flesh. Because you authorized the payment, you may not be able to get your money back. We address whether or not it's wrong to buy a dog, and we look closely at the harsh realities happening through dog trafficking everyday. All rights reserved. It’s better to be safe than sorry. They will send you a ton of videos and pictures of the puppies but do not be fooled, THEY ARE A SCAM!! If the seller won’t give the numbers, or if they are not US numbers, this is probably a scam. This is a great time for you to make sure that the pup fits into your lifestyle, and it's also a sign of a reputable seller. The only way to avoid this is through a face-to-face meeting. Google them. Most internet transactions are perfectly legitimate yet there are occassional reports of fraud or scams. This is most common with Facebook ads. Also, with caller ID, they do not want to take the risk you can tell they are not out of the area they claim to be out of. For anybody wanting to buy pure breeds, this is a great starting place for finding a safe seller. One of the most popular scams when buying a pet is that an advertiser will ask you to pay a deposit online before seeing the puppy or other pet. “The safest option is to only buy or adopt a pet you can meet in person and if you cannot do that during the current lockdown restrictions, consider putting the search on hold,” Ms Rickard said. The AKC collects information and enacts inspections of breeders throughout the country. My kids aren’t going to get as much as they were going to get. Reputable breeders typically do not sell different breeds and only focus on one, but a scammer may sell different breeds. Eddie's owner also made a contract with me that if Eddie was unhealthy or not the dog I saw online, he would send me a new dog. Puppy Scammers are so clever today that they really can get people to part with their money very easily. You've talked to the breeder and are very comfortable with his or her philosophy and the photos of the puppies. This will be either in the same ad/website, or done separate (but you can search their email address to see if they posted any other ads with separate breeds). Avoid any money wires at all costs. DO NOT BUY A PUPPY OFF CRAIGSLIST . You never receive your puppy, because there was no … Do not deal with dogs or cats being advertised on Facebook pages, according to the BBB report. You should never send money online (even just small deposit) to anyone you do not know. US Department of Agriculture (USDA) are working on regulating this are through their Retail Pet Store Rule, but it is yet to be enacted. Wait to buy a dog until after you've seen them up close, and met the breeder or group organizer. Did it survive or did it die because it was shipped sick to you? If you don't have one already, you are going to need a veterinarian anyway. You want to have a payment method that is traceable, so that if need be you can dispute the purchase. So, here are some simple steps to successful puppy ownership. They will require you to wire them money through Western Union or MoneyGram (or use a prepaid debit card), securing the dog for you. “So you will pay money if you think that pet is dying in an airport because of you.” When she realized she’d been scammed, Dowden contacted the police, but they did not take any action. When most people think of vodka, dogs are among the last things that come to mind, but Tito’s Handmade Vodka is an exception to... Italy is well loved for their fashion sense, food and wine. Often pet scammers find a photo online and pass it off as their own. If you're GOING to buy online, make sure you're buying from someone that you can actually DRIVE to. Raising a puppy requires an even higher level of commitment. Pomeranian Puppy Scams Alert. They were going to get a puppy. Buying a puppy is exciting. If all you get are fluffy, non-specific answers, that is a red flag. Here are a couple of different ways to avoid being scammed when buying or selling on eBay. Look up the breeder online. By NextDayPets.com Staff. Do your research. Here we talk about the perks and low-downs of both buying or adopting a puppy. When you're buying from sellers seemingly desperate to get rid of their used stuff, it's hard to know what's a true offer or just bait for your personal info. When you decide to have a dog in your life, it can be the best decision you ever make. Here are some of the places you can quickly do this and help stop puppy scams: You can also share this information with veterinarians, local animal groups, on Facebook or other social media. Even if you send money via bank transfer, the majority of banks … Method 1 of 2: Avoiding Scams While Buying. Do not go here to get a puppy! And believe it or not, all it takes to outsmart a fraudster in most cases is a few common-sense precautions. • The scammer asks for $300 via Cash App adding if not, you may not get a puppy since they are in high demand.