How do I report a pet scammer?
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.
Is it possible to get scammed for a pet?
Don’t get scammed! Pet scam criminals often use free websites, Craig’s List, local newspapers, or Facebook to advertise pets that do not exist. Expensive animals, like Bulldogs or toy breeds, are offered at very low prices. Animals are offered up for adoption at no cost—all you have to do is pay for the shipping.
How are most Puppy sale frauds done online?
Most puppy sale frauds are done over the internet because online animal sales are still unregulated. US Department of Agriculture (USDA) are working on regulating this are through their Retail Pet Store Rule, but it is yet to be enacted. There are three main ways online puppy scams are done:
How often do people get scammed for puppies?
According to BBB data, nearly 10,000 scam reports and complaints have come in during the last three years about “businesses” selling puppies and dogs. The FTC estimates that only about 10 percent of victims report these crimes, so this number could be much higher.
Is it possible to sell a Puppy online?
Many times users are lured in by a cute puppy or other pet for sale, only to find out that they have been scammed out of their money. The best way to avoid being scammed by those who are selling pets online is to educate yourself on the warning signs of a typical online pet scam.
Most puppy sale frauds are done over the internet because online animal sales are still unregulated. US Department of Agriculture (USDA) are working on regulating this are through their Retail Pet Store Rule, but it is yet to be enacted. There are three main ways online puppy scams are done:
According to BBB data, nearly 10,000 scam reports and complaints have come in during the last three years about “businesses” selling puppies and dogs. The FTC estimates that only about 10 percent of victims report these crimes, so this number could be much higher.
Is it safe to buy a pet online?
An unusually high proportion of victims of online pet scams are in their late teens or 20s, according to the BBB. Do consider adopting from a local shelter or rescue group, instead of buying a pet online. You can look up adoptable animals near you at Petfinder and the Shelter Pet Project. Don’t buy or adopt a pet unless you can meet it in person.
Are there any fake puppy sale sites out there?
Consumer watchdog groups like IPATA.org and PetScams.com post fake puppy sale sites every week, but new ones keep coming. Sam Aussies is one of them. The site, which is still online as of Thursday morning, claims to sell adorable and affordable Australian shepherds for $750.