Buying a puppy online requires extreme caution, as the reports that roughly 80% of sponsored pet advertisements online may be fraudulent. Scammers often use professional-looking websites and stolen images to sell non-existent pets. 1. Major Red Flags of Online Puppy Scams
: Insist on a video call (FaceTime, Zoom) where the seller shows you the puppy in real-time.
: Legitimate breeders will be happy to discuss the puppy's lineage, health records, and parents. How to avoid online puppy scams buying puppies online scams
Verify breeders through official organizations like the American Kennel Club (AKC) . Check for business ratings and reported scams on BBB.org .
: They will make excuses to avoid in-person meetings or live video calls, often claiming they are out of town or in a different country. Buying a puppy online requires extreme caution, as
: Right-click the puppy's photo and select "Search image with Google" to see if it appears on other websites or stock photo galleries.
: Scammers demand payment via wire transfers ( Western Union , MoneyGram), gift cards, cryptocurrency, or peer-to-peer apps like Zelle or Venmo that offer little to no buyer protection. Major Red Flags of Online Puppy Scams :
: They may claim the puppy is popular and will be sold immediately unless you pay a deposit now.