By Juliana O’Rork
Your Better Business Bureau is here to provide tips and resources to avoid falling for a pet scam.
If you are looking for a pet to add to your family, be on the lookout for scams. As consumers turn to the internet to find new pets, experts say a shocking 80% of sponsored pet advertisements may be fake.
BBB Tip: How to Avoid Becoming a Victim of a Pet Scam
Do your research! Only purchase from a reputable dealer. Check BBB Business Profiles on BBB.org for complaints and customer reviews before you make the purchase.
Don’t buy a pet without seeing it in person. If that isn’t possible, request a live video call to view the animal, meet the breeder, and evaluate the facility.
Conduct a reverse image search of the picture of the pet you are considering. If the same picture appears on multiple websites, it’s likely a fraud. You also can search for distinctive text from ads or testimonials to see if the seller copied it from another website.
Avoid wiring money or using a cash app or gift card. These payment methods offer no way to get your money back if you are the victim of fraud.
Do research to get a sense of a fair price for the breed you are considering. Think twice if someone advertises a purebred dog for free or at a deeply discounted price; it could be a fraudulent offer.
Consider reaching out to a local animal shelter. Many shelters are looking for fosters to help relieve animal stress and reduce overcrowding at their facilities.
