Bogus ads hook consumers in puppy scams
Fraud in the sale of online pets is on the rise, with scammers victimizing American consumers at an alarming rate. In recent years, Americans have filed tens of thousands of complaints with law enforcement, consumer organizations and websites.
The scheme is usually dependent on bogus, often sophisticated, advertisements to hook unsuspecting consumers. Experts believe at least 80 percent of the sponsored advertising links that appear in an internet search for pets may be fraudulent. In fact, it can be difficult to navigate an online search for a pet without coming across a bogus website. What it looks like: In virtually all cases, the scammers never own the animals described on the sites. While some scammers offer “free” pets, others offer animals for sale at deeply discounted prices. Those paying for the pet are almost always asked to send money through Western Union or MoneyGram. In addition, in nearly every fraud case, thieves instruct the potential buyer that an animal must be shipped from a remote location. The fraudsters don’t make arrangements for an in-person meeting with a potential buyer and often ask victims to send money to a supposed third party who will take over responsibility for transporting the animal.
Those who pay for pet shipping often are asked to buy or rent a special crate for the pet, and if they are successful in obtaining payment for that, they may follow up with requests for special insurance or shots for the animals.
At times, the thieves may claim the pet is stuck at an airport in transit and additional money is needed for food and water.
The requests for money on one pretext or another will continue as long as the victim continues to send money. Eventually, most victims realize that something is wrong and they are probably being duped.
However, when they finally stop sending money, the thief usually claims the pet is at the airport, and threatens the potential buyer with criminal charges for “animal abandonment, unless additional payments are made to resolve the issue.”
After all of that investment of time and money, it’s understandable that a threat like that might have some people second guessing their instincts.
The BBB urges the public to be on guard against online pet scams; inspect an animal in person before paying money, and pay by credit card if you do make an online purchase.
What if you have been a victim of this fraud?
File a report with BBB’s Scam Tracker; File a complaint at Petscams.com; File a complaint to the Federal Trade Commission. Call 1-877-FTCHELP;
Homeland Security Investigations at the Department of Homeland Security also handles international fraud. Call 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) (from U.S. and Canada); and
If you sent money through Western Union, MoneyGram or a Green Dot MoneyPak, you should contact those companies directly for information about the transactions at Green Dot 800-795-7597, Western Union 800-4481492 and MoneyGram at 800-926-9400. Find a pet, avoid the fraud The Humane Society of the United States will refer consumers to local shelters. It also provides tips for finding a reputable breeder.
Those looking for a pet should avoid puppy mills. A BBB study warned about the problems people have when they deal with those businesses. Reminders
Avoid buying a pet without seeing it in person;
Never send cash via money order or Western Union to a stranger;
Always use a credit card in case you need to dispute the charges;
Do research to get a sense of what a fair price is for the breed you are interested in adopting. Think twice if someone is advertising a purebred dog for free or at a deeply discounted price … it could be a fraudulent offer; and
Report and learn about fraud in your area at BBB Scam Tracker.
You also can contact the BBB Education Foundation at 713-341-6141 if you have any questions about making an online purchase.