The Better Business Bureau is urging Nebraskans to be careful when it comes to purchasing a puppy this holiday season. Spokesman Josh Planos says scammers are ruining the holidays for people eager to add a fury friend to their family.
“I spoke to a woman who lost $750. She purchased a bed, she purchased toys for the puppy and the puppy was a fake the entire time,” Planos says.
He says scammers frequently capitalize on high demand during the holidays by posting pictures of pets in Christmas hats and other gear. When a would-be pet owner pursues the listing, the scammer refuses to let the consumer meet the pet before buying, often claiming this is because of COVID-19 considerations.
The scammer claims that they must use a pet delivery agency of some kind, often an airline. The scammer also may demand fees for vaccinations or other last-minute “needs.” Ultimately, the pet does not exist, and the consumer has lost money and emotional investment. The average financial loss reported to Scam Tracker was $1,088.
BBB recommendations for buying pets online:
- See the pet in person before paying any money. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, consider a video call with the seller so you can see the seller and the actual pet for sale. Since scammers are not likely to comply with the request, this may help avoid a scam.
- Do a reverse image search of the photo of the pet and search for a distinctive phrase in the description.
- Do research to get a sense of a fair price for the breed you are considering. Think twice if someone advertises a purebred dog for free or at a deeply discounted price … it could be a fraudulent offer.
- Check out a local animal shelter online for pets you can meet before adopting.
- BBB urges more law enforcement action against pet scammers.