What puppy websites are scams?
There are multiple pet scamming websites including petscams, bbb, and The International Pet and Animal Transportation Association (IPATA). These websites will keep records of scamming websites, breeders, and contact information. These are reported and researched by workers and the public.
How do you know if you are getting puppy scammed?
What are the Red Flags?
- No phone calls. The seller prefers to handle communication by email and not the phone.
- Copycat or stock photos. Photos of the dog or ad text can be found on multiple websites.
- Sketchy payment.
- Price is too good to be true.
- Breeder “badges.” AKC does not distribute badges to breeders.
Can you get scammed buying a dog online?
In addition to disreputable dealers and puppy mills, internet scammers have crept into the realm of online pet sales, stealing money from unsuspecting people who think their new dog or cat is on the way to his or her new home, when in fact there was never really an animal at all.
How do puppy scams work?
Most pet scams begin with a buyer searching online for free / cheap pets for sale or puppies for sale. Usually, the seller will offer to give the pet for free and then send the pet directly to them at a discounted price.
How can I not get scammed for a puppy online?
Tips for Avoiding Online Pet Scams
- Ask for multiple pictures of the pet, including poses with specific items (a recent newspaper, a tennis ball, etc.) to make sure the pet is real.
- Ask for a phone number for the person selling the pet and a veterinary clinic the pet has been to.
How do you know if an online breeder is legit?
Ask if the breeder is a member of an AKC-affiliated club and contact that club to verify membership or check recent listings of available AKC Litters from breeders. You can also check with the BBB (www.bbb.org) and the AKC (919-233-9767) to see if there are any complaints about the breeder.
How do you know if a dog seller is legit?
What to do if you get scammed buying a puppy?
If you suspect, or have been victimized by, a pet scam, report it to:
- the Federal Trade Commission (online or at 877-382-4357).
- the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), if the scam occurred online.
- the BBB Scam Tracker.
- PetScams.com, an online watchdog that catalogs and reports on pet-related fraud.