Scam Alert: Pet Adoption
Did you know simply searching for your next best friend can open you up to a scam? Adopting a pet online can be lead to a scam called the internet puppy scam where scammers post an advertisement trying to sell a sick, stolen, or fake puppy. Let’s look at common red flags associated with this scam.
Red Flags
Limited Communication
When picking the perfect pet, there are lots of questions to ask.
- What breed is it?
- What is its temperament like?
- Has the puppy been socialized?
- What vaccines have they received?
- In the case of an online advertisement: Can we meet in person?
If the seller is short with their responses or avoids the questions altogether, this is a red flag. If they don’t have the answers you need, then they probably don’t have a puppy or don’t know anything about the puppy in their care. Reputable breeders will have the answer to all of these questions and will probably provide more information about your future companion without you asking.
Pressure Tactics
When a scammer does communicate, it will be short and jump to the end of the conversation: payment. Instead of giving you time to think about this life-long commitment, they will rush you with excuses like, “You need to put a deposit down now if you want to secure your puppy,” or “I have someone else interested.” If you think you are being pressured into the sale, simply walk away.
Generic Photos & Lack Of Details
Does a puppy post seem too good to be true? Are the pictures perfect? Almost… too perfect? Scammers will steal photos from other puppy posts and claim them for their own, OR they will use stock images or AI to sell a fake puppy. Another red flag is if the seller refuses to send another, more recent picture of the puppy. This is another sign that the seller is trying to sell a puppy they don’t have.
Refuses To Meet In Person
Before you adopt your pet, make sure you meet it and the seller in person! This will allow you to pet and greet your puppy and ensure it is the right fit for you and your family before giving the seller any money. If they refuse to meet in person or only with a large deposit amount, that’s a red flag.
Avoid The Scam
1. Research Thoroughly
Research, research, research. Make sure the seller is reputable by checking any online reviews. Investigate the puppy post. Does it have more than one picture? Does the post provide adequate information? After you have sent the seller a message, are they responsive? Can they send more than one picture? Know the ins and outs of this adoption and the seller before you proceed.
2. Ask For Multiple Pictures
You want to see your future cuddle buddy anyway, so ask for more pictures. Then, take a close look at the pictures. Do they look legit? Or do they look AI-generated or a general stock photo? Did you get additional pictures at all? If you didn’t, then walk away.
3. Meet & Pay In Person
Avoid paying any deposits online to the seller. Instead, meet in a public area so you can meet the puppy. Then you can provide the proper payment. Many people feel rushed to put down a deposit online to secure the puppy and end up out hundreds of dollars with no puppy.
Adopting your forever friend is a great joy for many pet owners all over the world, so take these precautions to keep you safe while tackling the adoption process.