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. Animals are offered up for adoption at no cost—all you have to do is pay for the shipping. If they refuse, then you know that you are going to hear things you don't want to hear. to make sure the pet is real. Reliable breeders take responsibility for and have confidence in their dogs. 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. It’s partly due to the internet and how people can manipulate information to get what they want, namely the money in your pocket. Ask for multiple pictures of the pet, including poses with specific items (a recent newspaper, a tennis ball, etc.) Buying a puppy is exciting. When shopping around for a new pet, it is only natural to want to avoid dangerous dog breeds. Most legitimate breeders will welcome the visit. Did you get a dog at all? In some cases, these steps can help you to get your money back. If the seller won’t give the numbers, or if they are not US numbers, this is probably a scam. “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. 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. 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. While having a certain breed is appealing, you’re probably better off seeing what your local shelter has available. Do an internet search of the picture of the pet you are considering. 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. Tracey Lester 7-1-2019 at 2:31 pm. The seller prefers to handle communication by email and not the phone. This site explains more about the whole process. If you believe that you have encountered a puppy or adult dog buying scam, please report it. This is a baited hook, making you feel more secure so you pay the extra fees. Yorkshire Terriers or French Bulldogs) because many people want to own them and they're more difficult/expensive to get. What to do when you want to buy a puppy. That is the easiest way to tell if it's a scam. You discover you have been scammed buying Pokemon Cards. We were told it was a girl. It is the first step in a lifelong commitment that comes with hard work and responsibilities. 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. They offer the same breed dog for ten times less. They will steal your money and you will not receive the puppy that you wanted. 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. Let’s talk about buying pets online. If you're GOING to buy online, make sure you're buying from someone that you can actually DRIVE to. 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. Here are a couple of different ways to avoid being scammed when buying or selling on eBay. 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. There are many more buying a puppy online scams around than there ever used to be. They need to be taken down. Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube. 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. US Department of Agriculture (USDA) are working on regulating this are through their Retail Pet Store Rule, but it is yet to be enacted. If you see an ad like this, chances are it is a scam. Get more examples of scams. These operators will try and trick you into buying them by selling them in pet stores, online, or in the local or trading paper. Ask to see personalized photographs. The only communication with scammers will be through email or text messages, both of which can go through proxy servers to hide true identifications. They will send you a ton of videos and pictures of the puppies but do not be fooled, THEY ARE A SCAM!!! However, even if someone does agree to speak over the phone, that does not indicate that it's not a scam. The online dog-for-sale ad looked trustworthy enough. Most scammers will not get on the phone. 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. Read on to learn more about what to do if you have bought a sick puppy. Raising a puppy requires an even higher level of commitment. 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. Use Scam Tracking Websites. If you’ve lost money because of a scam, there might be things you can do to get it back. CTRL + SPACE for auto-complete. 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. If neither of these is an option, here are some tips on avoiding Facebook or Craigslist puppy scams. These websites will keep records of scamming websites, breeders, and contact information. Expensive animals, like Bulldogs or toy breeds, are offered at very low prices. Fake ones will not do that. Pet scam criminals often use free websites, Craig’s List, local newspapers, or Facebook to advertise pets that do not exist. A puppy farm isn't always obvious, so look out for some important signs at each stage of purchasing your puppy. If all you get are fluffy, non-specific answers, that is a red flag. 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Reply. 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. 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. Reply. They will send you a ton of videos and pictures of the puppies but do not be fooled, THEY ARE A SCAM!! • The scammer asks for $300 via Cash App adding if not, you may not get a puppy since they are in high demand. Did you get a different dog then you paid for? 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 Wait to buy a dog until after you've seen them up close, and met the breeder or group organizer. Make that first visit to the area where the dogs live. They were going to get a puppy. So how do you protect yourself from being scammed when buying a puppy or adult dog online? One of the quickest ways to identify puppy scams is using seller's posted photos to see if they were published elsewhere. In addition, ask the breeder to place a small card in photographs of the dog with your name or the date written on it. There is a death in the family, loss of a job, or moving to a place that doesn't take pets. Only use email as the initial form of contact. Now that I lost $300, they’re not going to get gifts to make up for this," she said. Events can introduce you to reputable breeders or rescue organization in your area that you can work with 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 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. Google them. Word of mouth is a powerful tool. 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. 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. Don't get scammed! Most internet transactions are perfectly legitimate yet there are occassional reports of fraud or scams. The study also has tips for avoiding puppy scams: • Don’t buy a pet without seeing it in person. 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. Some people like the glossy look of a short-haired dog. This is a common technique found on sites like Craigslist. And believe it or not, all it takes to outsmart a fraudster in most cases is a few common-sense precautions. 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. Know about your chosen breed and any regulations that apply. 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