All good reputable breeders will want to talk to you over the phone numerous times. We've listed some tips on how to buy safely with a step-by-step guide to follow along the way. Actually, these standards are pretty bare-bones. If … Make sure that you’re not gullible enough to be one of them. There is a death in the family, loss of a job, or moving to a place that doesn't take pets. 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 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. 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. Is it better to buy or adopt a puppy? Have you been scammed with trying to buy a dog? It has given greedy, opportunistic breeders an avenue directly into peoples’ homes. Before you even bid on your first item, make sure your PayPal and eBay settings are as secure as possible. They need to be taken down. When shopping around for a new pet, it is only natural to want to avoid dangerous dog breeds. Bowser Buyer Beware: How to Avoid Being Scammed Buying a Dog or Cat Puppy and kitten scams have more than doubled this year, with projected losses for victims in 2020 expected to top $3 million, the Better Business Bureau says By Leslie Gaydos • Published December 9, 2020 • Updated on December 10, 2020 at 10:26 am. Animals are offered up for adoption at no cost—all you have to do is pay for the shipping. There are multiple pet scamming websites including petscams, bbb, and The International Pet and Animal Transportation Association . Does the thought of being the twentieth person in your neighborhood to get a Lab make you itch? There are dozens of sites that have pets-for-sale listings and according to the above study, 80% of them are scams. https://www.trainbulldogshome.com is a SCAM!!!!! Sometimes the “seller” will promise a partial refund of insurance or shipping costs upon the dog's safe delivery. They will send you a ton of videos and pictures of the puppies but do not be fooled, THEY ARE A SCAM!! Sometimes people think that just because references were provided, that everything is on the up and up. Never use services such as Paypal or Western Union money transfer to make a payment for a pet. Every day we see so many beautiful puppies online. 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). I hope you find this post before you do get scammed! Because you authorized the payment, you may not be able to get your money back. 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. Reply. Some of the rescues local to me won’t approve an adoption unless there is a stay-at-home adult. Step #1: Contact Your Financial Institution Ask specific questions about their dog-buying experience. 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. Most legitimate breeders will welcome the visit. If there is something wrong with your pup, they will always help with what you need, or will accept the dog back for a full refund. Pet scam criminals often use free websites, Craig’s List, local newspapers, or Facebook to advertise pets that do not exist. Some breeders do this but not all of them. 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. because they can get the money before you realize you’ve been tricked. Do an internet search of the picture of the pet you are considering. Reply. Ask for multiple pictures of the pet, including poses with specific items (a recent newspaper, a tennis ball, etc.) “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. Consider performing a reverse image search with the picture of the 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. Other signs you should look for: With the recent puppy scams, sellers have targeted people who want to buy specific breeds, like Teacup Maltese or Shih Tzu. These operators will try and trick you into buying them by selling them in pet stores, online, or in the local or trading paper. Reliable breeders take responsibility for and have confidence in their dogs. 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. Reputable breeders typically do not sell different breeds and only focus on one, but a scammer may sell different breeds. 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. Avoid internet purchases unless you can travel to meet the dog. The seller say they wish to rehome the dog and you only need to pay for the shipping. Often pet scammers find a photo online and pass it off as their own. They will steal your money and you will not receive the puppy that you wanted. Safeguard your account. "I Google searched it and up popped a … Wait to buy a dog until after you've seen them up close, and met the breeder or group organizer. So, here are some simple steps to successful puppy ownership. Talk to other dog owners. Tracey Lester 7-1-2019 at 2:31 pm. 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. My kids aren’t going to get as much as they were going to get. Humans and canines have been hunting together for a long time, probably ever since dogs were first domesticated. Reply It’s not a terrible idea, if you can avoid the flood of online scammers waiting to take your money without handing over a puppy. The study also has tips for avoiding puppy scams: • Don’t buy a pet without seeing it in person. Example: If you make a deal with someone that if you buy them VIP rank for them for 300k, and you buy them the rank, but they don't give you the 300k [NOTE] If you give someone 300k to buy you VIP rank, and they do not buy it, you did not get IRL Scammed Don't get scammed! Steps. When Wayne Werner and Pamela Lanuza wanted to find a new puppy for their kids, they went looking where most people do: the internet. Raising a puppy requires an even higher level of commitment. With the reputable breeder, the price you are quoted will be guaranteed, any “extras” itemized before the deposit and clearly spelled out in writing. The study also has tips for avoiding puppy scams: • Don’t buy a pet without seeing it in person. For example, take Pit Bulls. Here we talk about the perks and low-downs of both buying or adopting a puppy. However, you are not interested in driving halfway across the country to pick the new puppy up. Such money wires cannot be traced. You never receive your puppy, because there was no … The consumer fraud is incalculable. and she kept paying until Delta Airline informed her she's been scammed. 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. Puppy contracts can assure you that you are not being scammed. 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. You want to have a payment method that is traceable, so that if need be you can dispute the purchase. Think about what it is about a certain breed that you like—maybe they’re low energy or are good with kids—and ask the shelter staff to help you find a dog with those traits. Expensive animals, like Bulldogs or toy breeds, are offered at very low prices. Ask for a phone number for the person selling the pet and a veterinary clinic the pet has been to. 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. Some towns do not allow this breed, and the breeder should know this, and they will need to research you before selling to you. Make that first visit to the area where the dogs live. Did they mentioned problems with the shipment? In addition, ask the breeder to place a small card in photographs of the dog with your name or the date written on it. You can help another person or family avoid a heartache and losing money. Simple fix: DON'T buy online. If you don't have one already, you are going to need a veterinarian anyway. No matter what kind of scam has affected you, there are important steps you should take to get your money back after being scammed online. If you're GOING to buy online, make sure you're buying from someone that you can actually DRIVE to. More people I know are going back to breeders because of the ridiculous hoops that shelters are making adopters jump through. It's one thing to be ready to get a dog, especially an adult dog. Fake ones will not do that. Trust your gut—if the seller is being fishy, move on, no matter how good the price is. Research prices for the breed you are interested in adopting, according to the BBB. Be smart and check your facts. Do your research. 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. Did you pay for a dog you never received? Did it survive or did it die because it was shipped sick to you? 2. While having a certain breed is appealing, you’re probably better off seeing what your local shelter has available. Do not go here to get a puppy! 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. So how do you protect yourself from being scammed when buying a puppy or adult dog online? Check if you can get your money back. 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. Puppy Scammers are so clever today that they really can get people to part with their money very easily. In some cases, these steps can help you to get your money back. They were going to get a puppy. Most scammers will not get on the phone. Again, you want that meet-and-greet and nothing less. 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. You should never send money online (even just small deposit) to anyone you do not know. They will require you to wire them money through Western Union or MoneyGram (or use a prepaid debit card), securing the dog for you. 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. Tim Adams from Dogs Victoria, the association representing purebred breeders, has some tips. So, how do you avoid getting scammed? Maybe you had a dog shipped to you? These articles can prove informative for all prospective pet owners, not just those looking to buy a dog or puppy! It would be swell if every pet went to a household with perfectly-behaved teenagers, a homemaker who has dinner on the table promptly at five o’clock, and an immaculate lawn surrounded by a picket fence. While some reputable breeders do in fact sell dogs they feel are not “show-worthy” at a discount, those dogs will be typically neutered. You fall in love with the picture, contact the scammer and begin to talk to them about purchasing the adorable little puppy. Because they will often work on dogs sold from such places, they are a great resource of information. The online dog-for-sale ad looked trustworthy enough. 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. Dogs are perhaps the best animal companions humans have ever known. 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. Even if you send money via bank transfer, the majority of banks … Beyond matching you with your perfect puppy, handling all of the logistics to get your puppy to you and providing an industry-leading health guarantee, we also employ a full compliance team who screens, qualifies and regularly re-screens every active breeder in our network, as well as a team of health experts to make sure your puppy is in great shape before it leaves its breeder. Reply; Simon 6-30-2019 at 7:27 pm. Keep in mind, your dog will be probably be part of your family for about 10 years, so please make sure you do the right thing when it comes to buying that new puppy. Reputable breeders typically have waiting lists and far more professional means for advertising. Speak to the seller on the phone more than once. 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. Very similar thing happened with an English Bulldog breeder, but the buyers were able to identify the fraud just before sending the money. There is no good way to be sure you are not dealing with a fraud if you have no direct in person contact with the seller.” 9 Signs Of A Puppy Scam. These websites will keep records of scamming websites, breeders, and contact information. 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. You can gather buckets of information from people passionate about pups and willing to give you referrals. If you see an ad like this, chances are it is a scam. A fake breeder will not have such information; however, this information can be falsified. Ask to see personalized photographs. This is a common technique found on sites like Craigslist. If this is a local ad, the sellers will also have a reason to avoid a face-to-face meeting. 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. And believe it or not, all it takes to outsmart a fraudster in most cases is a few common-sense precautions. Levine, who is based in Tampa, Florida, recommends these: Do you really have time for a puppy? Let’s talk about buying pets online. If you’ve lost money because of a scam, there might be things you can do to get it back. There's been a lot of pandemic puppy love … Many of these types of sellers are experienced and go to extremes to cover up what they really are. This is most common with Facebook ads. The only communication with scammers will be through email or text messages, both of which can go through proxy servers to hide true identifications. When you decide to have a dog in your life, it can be the best decision you ever make. Never buy an animal that you haven’t seen in the flesh. The two best ways is to either adopt a dog from a rescue shelter, or buy from a reputable breeder (here's a list of American ones). Ads. Buying a puppy is exciting. Do not deal with dogs or cats being advertised on Facebook pages, according to the BBB report. 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. Some won’t adopt out unless there is a fenced-in yard (so no apartment dwellers). • The scammer asks for $300 via Cash App adding if not, you may not get a puppy since they are in high demand. The AKC collects information and enacts inspections of breeders throughout the country. Do not go here to get a puppy! 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. DO NOT BUY A PUPPY OFF CRAIGSLIST . Young puppies need to be fed three to four times a day. You discover you have been scammed buying Pokemon Cards. Thus, even though the number of complaints was nearly 40,000 in 2017, there are likely many more puppy scams taking place every day. Animals are offered up for adoption at no cost—all you have to do is pay for the shipping. Pomeranian Puppy Scams Alert. “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. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) also estimates that only 10% of victims will file a report. Contact Your Financial Institution for Possible Recourse. 1. First things first. When you are buying a puppy, you might not recognise that you're buying from a puppy farm. 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. If that is the case, there are a few things you should do. Sonia Torres 7-29-2020 at 9:16 pm. There are dozens of sites that have pets-for-sale listings and according to the above study, 80% of them are scams. However, even if someone does agree to speak over the phone, that does not indicate that it's not a scam. Dig below the surface, and you may be surprised. How to Safely Buy a Puppy Online. For anybody wanting to buy pure breeds, this is a great starting place for finding a safe seller. What to do when you want to buy a puppy. Others won’t adopt to households with children younger than tweens. There are certain things that people find especially endearing among certain dogs. You've talked to the breeder and are very comfortable with his or her philosophy and the photos of the puppies. Who wouldn’t want such a special friend to live with us longer? Some people like the glossy look of a short-haired dog. Maryland resident Tiffany Rush, a victim of the scam, was devastated upon finding out she wasn't buying a puppy. Eventually you send them a deposit via usually Western Union, and you suddenly never hear from them again. Prices are too good to be true, or the price is negotiable, on sale or at a discounted price; Puppy is free if you pay for shipping; The seller won’t talk on the phone and only communicates through emails or texts; The only way to get the puppy is to have it shipped to you, and you can’t pick it up 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. Read our advice on checking if you can get … One person sent money to a breeder of Huskies, but never got the puppies. 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. 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. For instance, when you're buying a product online you can’t always tell if a seller is reputable or fraudulent based on their website and there may be limited reviews. With scammers, they will often add these “extras” one by one, like astronomical crate fees upward of $800, travel insurance for $1,000, increased shipping costs, and airport to door delivery. See how clean it is, how professional does it seem. This is a baited hook, making you feel more secure so you pay the extra fees. If you have never had a puppy, then you might not realize what you're about to get into. to make sure the pet is real. Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube. If you believe that you have encountered a puppy or adult dog buying scam, please report it. The best way to eliminate Puppy Mills is to never purchase a puppy online or from a pet store. Did you get a dog at all? A puppy farm isn't always obvious, so look out for some important signs at each stage of purchasing your puppy. Expensive animals, like Bulldogs or toy breeds, are offered at very low prices. Do you feel more comfortable marching... © 2020 TopDogTips.com. “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. Use Scam Tracking Websites. 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. Method 1 of 2: Avoiding Scams While Buying. 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. Brighthousefrenchies are still online. Note that airports require picking up live animals on site, with appropriate documentation. Will your family’s lifestyle accommodate a puppy? It is the first step in a lifelong commitment that comes with hard work and responsibilities. Credit cards are best for this, and you can easily issue a chargeback if you get scammed. Can you afford to feed, train and care for a pupp 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. Try all these. Below are some of the ways you can prevent being scammed when buying Pokemon Cards. They offer the same breed dog for ten times less. After they sell the dog to you, they may want to see how the pup adapts to your space, other pets and household residents. The seller prefers to handle communication by email and not the phone. 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. Then, ask them to send a picture of them and the dog(s) that you want with their names on the cardboard. They will steal your money and you will not receive the puppy that you wanted. A real and professional dog seller will always ask you questions because they care for their animals. Avoid internet purchases unless you can travel to meet the dog. All rights reserved. Sounds good, right? Did it require vet care right away? You have found the one of your dreams online, however it’s important to take a step back and make sure that it’s not a scam and that you are buying from a breeder with a good reputation. NBC Universal, Inc. CTRL + SPACE for auto-complete. They may also pressure you by saying that failing to pay higher fees can result in your losing the selected puppy, or even worse – they will claim to report you to the FBI for animal abuse because you failing to pay puts the dog in danger. Word of mouth is a powerful tool. 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. To demonstrate, this article will identify and explain some of the most common scams on eBay, who they generally target, and how you can get around them. You can talk to vets while also asking for their input on regional dog sellers that they recommend. ! Do NOT use email as the only means of communication. Sometimes this is true, but unless you have a way of verifying it, remain wary. Did you get a different dog then you paid for? 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.) To all those who are considering to buy a puppy online, please do a thorough investigation before giving any money to the websites. Top 6 common scams on eBay and how to avoid them 1. Meet the mother dog and see the conditions yourself, first-hand. 1. The only way to avoid this is through a face-to-face meeting. Many people get excited by the prospect of a new puppy that they make the mistake and send money to scammers. Now that I lost $300, they’re not going to get gifts to make up for this," she said. Yorkshire Terriers or French Bulldogs) because many people want to own them and they're more difficult/expensive to get. You can't believe your eyes when you see the pictures and the low price. We purchased a goldendoodle puppy a week ago in a Petco parking lot near Eastvale CA for $1100. Always dig up as much information about the breeder/seller online, and look at the Better Business Bureau or other reviews. According to a recent survey, approximately 35% of Canadians have a dog in their home. In others, doing so may not be possible, but measures need to be taken to prevent further fraud. If all you get are fluffy, non-specific answers, that is a red flag. As with most online scams, if something seems too good to be true, it is. Read on to learn more about what to do if you have bought a sick puppy. Get more examples of scams. No matter what kind of scam has affected you, there are important steps you should take to get your money back after being scammed online. A few types of scams reported involve purchasing tickets, buying puppies and other financial scams like cash flips. Google them. Internet sales have contributed to an explosion of animal exploitation. 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. Everybody agrees that adopting a rescue dog from a shelter is always more praiseworthy. Do an internet search of the picture of the pet you are considering. Here are a couple of different ways to avoid being scammed when buying or selling on eBay. That is the easiest way to tell if it's a scam. Avoid any money wires at all costs. 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.”. 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. Look up the breeder online. It’s partly due to the internet and how people can manipulate information to get what they want, namely the money in your pocket. If neither of these is an option, here are some tips on avoiding Facebook or Craigslist puppy scams. There are many more buying a puppy online scams around than there ever used to be. If you think this has happened, the National Cyber Security Centre has advice on recovering an account that’s been hacked. We were told it was a girl. The ONLY payment option you EVER use is PayPal Goods & Services (G&S). If the same picture appears on multiple websites or stock image websites, cut off communication with the seller immediately. If so would you share your story? If they refuse, it is a scam. Use those references and call them up. 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. Before you make the final commitment to buy your new family member, you need to know the cost to ship a puppy. 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. How you noticed it was a scam? Gift card code theft … If they refuse, then you know that you are going to hear things you don't want to hear. But we don’t live in a Nick at Nite show, so maybe it’s time for the adoption process to get a reality check. This site explains more about the whole process. Know about your chosen breed and any regulations that apply. If you’re really set on a specific breed or don’t have a shelter near you, keep these tips in mind so you don’t get taken advantage of. They will send you a ton of videos and pictures of the puppies but do not be fooled, THEY ARE A SCAM!!! Easy Steps to follow when buying your Puppy online. Don’t settle for the pictures that advertise your prospective dog online. Read the information below to help ensure do not become a victim of fraud. Seller 's posted photos to see a range of photographs from different ages 're going to gifts! Buy a dog until after you 've talked to the breeder or group.! Friend to live with US longer purebred breeders, has some tips on how to buy or adopt a.! Additional costs, such as quicker/safer shipping, etc peoples ’ homes you are being... 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