Beware of scam websites that appear to sell exotic birds, such as parrots and macaws, or their eggs at discounted prices. Just like in a puppy scam, con artists create convincing websites and use them to sell exotic birds that don’t exist.
How the Scam Works
The first step in purchasing a new pet bird begins with a web search or an online ad. These often point to phony breeder websites, which use photos and descriptions from real sites. These scam websites often entice shoppers with prices lower than what’s advertised elsewhere.
The interested buyer sends the money and waits, but their new bird never arrives. Not satisfied with the upfront payment, greedy “sellers” often demand additional money to take care of shipping issues or health concerns that supposedly pop up during transit. The scam will continue until the buyer finally becomes suspicious or runs out of funds.
One victim in Maine reported losing $2,750 to scammers when she tried to buy a pair of parrots from an online ad. She communicated with the scammer through text message before sending money. Months passed, and the scammers made repeated excuses why they couldn't deliver the birds. Eventually, she realized she'd been conned.
In another case, a man in California lost $850 when he tried to purchase a Macaw online. "Once [the scammer] got my payment he supposedly sent the bird. But five hours later I got a response from the tracking company saying I need to rent an A/C cooled cage for $950, due to weather conditions... In the end, I eventually came to conclusion that it was a scam."
BBB warns online pet shoppers to research the seller, don't wire money for pets and avoid prices that are too good to be true. When you hear or read the words “wire money,” that is a red flag. Do not send money via Western Union, MoneyGram or through prepaid gift cards.
To avoid pet scams, follow these BBB tips:
- Always visit the breeder.Don’t buy a pet without seeing it in person. Responsible breeders and rescue groups will be more than happy to give you a tour.
- Search for website warning signs.Fake breeder websites usually look real because the content is typically stolen from another site. Look for duplicate sites by copying a line from the website into a search engine and looking for identical wording elsewhere on the Internet. Also, search for the domain name on "WHOIS Lookup." Make sure the site is hosted in the country where the breeders claim to be located.
- Pick up your pet in person. Don't rely on the breeder to ship the animal.
- Check references.Talk to others who have purchased pets from this breeder and the veterinarian the breeder works with. Search org for their Business Profile and customer reviews.
- Pay with a check or credit card. If a breeder pressures you to pay by wire transfer or prepaid debit card, it is probably a scam.
BBB of Central Ohio contributed to this article.
