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National Puppy Day is March 23, and consumers can expect a nearly constant stream of cute puppy pictures across most social media platforms celebrating everyone’s furry best friends. After seeing these pictures, some consumers may decide that it’s time for a (or another) dog of their own and will begin searching for a canine companion. However, it’s essential to exercise caution when shopping online for the perfect pet. 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.
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.”
Even though it’s hard to resist an adorable face and a decent deal, there are a few ways to avoid being put in the doghouse:
- 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 that pressures you to do so is most likely a scam. Paying via a digital wallet app is also a red flag for a scam.
Picking the perfect pet for your family is exciting, so celebrate National Puppy Day the right way – without scammers. Consider adopting a pet from a rescue shelter and avoiding scams.
In addition to the risks associated with purchasing a puppy online, many charitable givers may consider donating to causes that support dogs this National Puppy Day. While BBB encourages charitable giving, it is vital to remain aware of scammers who create fraudulent charities and crowdfunding initiatives disguised as worthy causes.
It is always a good practice to spend the time to research a charity or foundation, through a site like Give.org, before committing any funds to their stated cause or mission. It takes some investigatory work on the donor's part to ensure their money is going to a worthy organization.
If considering donating to a crowdfunding initiative, BBB recommends donating only to those you know or can independently verify as legitimate.
If you think you have been scammed or have found a suspicious website, report it to:
- BBB Scam Tracker - report scams and search our database for possible scams.
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
- In Canada, contact the Canadian Antifraud Centre
- Petscams.com - tracks complaints, catalogs puppy scammers and endeavors to get fraudulent pet sales websites taken down.
Look at BBB's Pet Scams page for tips to protect yourself from being scammed, and the Pet HQ for information on purchasing or adopting a new pet. Visit BBB’s Online Shopping HQ for more tips on how to safely shop online.
Always do business with organizations that meet BBB Accreditation Standards and BBB Standards for Trust. Learn how to become a BBB Accredited Business.