Popular dog breeds mean popular targets for scammers

WISCONSIN (CIVIC MEDIA) French bulldogs, dachshunds, German shepherds, these breeds are some of the most popular lures that scammers use to bring in unsuspecting targets. And it can be hard to tell the difference between real advertisements and fake ones. Reports to the Better Business Bureau show thousands of fake websites and social media pages for pet scams, including many where scammers have stolen a legitimate business’ identity to fool potential buyers. Median losses top several hundred dollars, with fraudsters lying to empathetic buyers about animals being hurt if they don’t hand over more money.

BBB Scam Tracker has found that although reports for pet scams have decreased over the last two years, it still remains an issue. Scammers come from all over the world, mainly targeting US citizens. Businesses can protect themselves against most of these scams with proper training and education. Another key finding by the BBB is that fraudulent websites can appear at the top of search results, confusing buyers.

Red flags to watch for in a pet scam include: Popular breeds are available for incredibly low prices. The seller refuses to meet in person or take a video call. Extra charges for cages, vaccinations and other shipping costs. The word “teacup” is used in an advertisement. And high-pressure tactics meant to make the buyer think the animal will be harmed.

To avoid pet scams: See pets in person. Most scams are not sophisticated enough to fake out an in-person meeting. Video calls can also be a strong deterrent against fraud in nearly all cases. Use reverse image search. Many scam websites are impersonations of real businesses. Search the photos used online or sent to you to see if they appear anywhere else online. Understand market prices. Many pet scams offer animals at deep discounts. Knowing what an animal should cost can help raise alarm bells if a price is suspiciously low. And check out your local shelter. Many buyers have no preference for breeds. If not, an in-person visit to a local shelter can be a surefire way to avoid scams.

Visit BBB.org to check out a business or register a complaint, BBB Scam TrackerSM to report a scam and BBB.org/scamstudies for more on this and other scams. 

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