Online Pet Sale Scams

Kittens, puppies, and other pets are a popular holiday gift for families, children, and loved ones. Scammers take advantage of well-meaning consumers searching for pets by tricking them into paying for a nonexistent animal.

Consumers who find a listing on social media for a pet should practice caution while they browse and before they buy. If a listing has been posted by a scammer, it will likely appear to be local – at first. After the scammer is contacted about the pet, they tell the interested consumer that the pet has been moved or has already been sold, making it impossible for them to see the animal in person.

The scammer then offers an alternative: An associate of theirs is selling pets too, and maybe even has the exact same or a similar animal for sale! Some scammers claim to be selling purebred puppies or other rare, valuable pets for low prices. However, this seller is far away and cannot be easily visited. This lie is told to give an excuse for why the consumer can’t verify in person the animal exists.

When the second scammer is contacted, they will offer to sell the pet. The consumer is told that if they pay right away, they can come pick up the animal – or the scammer might offer to deliver the animal. After the consumer pays, the scammer disappears with the money. The pet was never real.

A recent Wisconsin Better Business Bureau report showed pet scam complaints have declined slightly the past couple years but still remain a real concern, as demonstrated by over 1,600 pet scam reports being filed across North America this year with a median loss of $600.

Consumers need to confirm that an animal is real before they pay for it. To do this, they should:

· Ask for the name and location of the pet’s veterinarian, then verify that information and contact them.

· Remember that photos and videos can be faked and should not be taken as proof that an animal is real.

· Try to see the pet in-person before buying, and avoid paying up-front for a pet.

· Pick the pet up at the place where the seller keeps the animals. Do not agree to a more convenient pick-up point or parking lot.

· Research the seller to confirm they treat their animals well and have all necessary registration or licensing.