Scams To Avoid When Buying A Pet Online

So you finally decided it’s time to have a pet. You can’t wait to welcome the new addition into your household and enjoy years of love and affection from your new companion. Before you make that decision, however, it’s important to remember that there are individuals online who are looking to take advantage of others. There are various scams you might encounter when looking to buy a pet and we’d like to make sure that you are as protected as possible. Here are some of the red flags you should be looking for when searching for a pet online.

Not Local

It’s always best when purchasing a pet to meet the seller in person. If a seller does not want you to see the pet in advance under any circumstances, that is an alarming signal. If you’re meeting in person, always meet in a public place, and if possible, have someone accompany you. Many transactions are actually taking place in the parking lot of police stations.

Inaccurate Information

Another warning sign about a potential scam is when an individual provides you with inaccurate information. They may say they live in one city, but ask you to meet them in a totally different location. Should that be the case, it’s always advisable to meet in a public location and to always be accompanied by a friend. If anything feels wrong to you, simply walk away from the deal.

No Health Records

When you’re buying a pet, you’re always going to want to have medical and health records. Any reputable seller will be willing to give you the background of the pet you’re purchasing and will be upfront with any medical issues they may be having. If the pet appears to be in ill health, regardless of what the seller says, it’s always best to walk away from the transaction. Some sellers will simply say that the dog is tired from the trip or has been playing all day and is now resting, when it actually has something medically wrong with it.

Odd Payment Methods

A reputable seller would be more than willing to accept ordinary payments. Scammers often ask to be paid with gift cards or get you to make a wire transfer or pay with apps that don’t offer refunds. Insist on cash and make the transfer inside of the bank. This way, there will be photographic evidence of the transaction within the bank and you will also be protected.

False Escrow Sites

While legitimate escrow sites are a great way to protect both buyers and sellers, be aware there are false escrow sites set up by scammers. In order to protect yourself, if they insist upon using an escrow site, choose one that you yourself have verified and researched. If they are not comfortable with that site, it’s best to walk away from the deal.

If It’s Too Good To Be True…

…it probably is.
If the seller is offering you a deal on a pet that seems too good to be true, something might be wrong. There might be an issue with the dog that they are not telling you — such as the fact that the pet may have medical issues they’re reluctant to tell you about. In some cases, the pet being offered may, in fact, actually be stolen or is not theirs to sell. If something does not feel right about the transaction, immediately walk away and continue to search for the pet that you want.

Verification Code

Lastly, be aware of the six-digit verification code scam. The seller will tell you that they want to make sure that you are not trying to scam them, so they will ask you to use a six-digit verification code. Don’t do it. What they’ll actually be doing is using the six-digit verification code to set up their own online phone number, using the code you’ve actually provided them. This allows them to conduct business using an online phone number that can be traced back to you. Again, tell them that you are not comfortable doing that and if they choose to walk away, they can do so.

We always need your help in finding and preventing online scams. While we do our best to ensure the safety and security of each ad, scammers are always finding new ways to thwart the system. On each ad is a report button where you can provide any information you need to tell us about a scam or suspected scam you may have encountered. More than anything, we simply want you to find the right pet in the easiest and safest way possible.

Also report scams to the FTC. Reporting scams to the FTC not only helps you, but also contributes to a larger dataset that empowers law enforcement agencies to take action against fraudulent activities, making the online marketplace safer for everyone.