: Scammers demand payment via wire transfers ( Western Union , MoneyGram), gift cards, cryptocurrency, or peer-to-peer apps like Zelle or Venmo that offer little to no buyer protection.
: Insist on a video call (FaceTime, Zoom) where the seller shows you the puppy in real-time.
Verify breeders through official organizations like the American Kennel Club (AKC) . Check for business ratings and reported scams on BBB.org .
Buying a puppy online requires extreme caution, as the reports that roughly 80% of sponsored pet advertisements online may be fraudulent. Scammers often use professional-looking websites and stolen images to sell non-existent pets. 1. Major Red Flags of Online Puppy Scams
: Purebred puppies sold for a fraction of their market value (e.g., a $500 French Bulldog) are major indicators of a scam.
: They may claim the puppy is popular and will be sold immediately unless you pay a deposit now.
: Scammers demand payment via wire transfers ( Western Union , MoneyGram), gift cards, cryptocurrency, or peer-to-peer apps like Zelle or Venmo that offer little to no buyer protection.
: Insist on a video call (FaceTime, Zoom) where the seller shows you the puppy in real-time.
Verify breeders through official organizations like the American Kennel Club (AKC) . Check for business ratings and reported scams on BBB.org .
Buying a puppy online requires extreme caution, as the reports that roughly 80% of sponsored pet advertisements online may be fraudulent. Scammers often use professional-looking websites and stolen images to sell non-existent pets. 1. Major Red Flags of Online Puppy Scams
: Purebred puppies sold for a fraction of their market value (e.g., a $500 French Bulldog) are major indicators of a scam.
: They may claim the puppy is popular and will be sold immediately unless you pay a deposit now.