How to Spot and Avoid Puppy Scams
Puppy scams are one of the most common online shopping scams in America. Fake sellers post stolen photos of puppies that do not exist, take a deposit, then invent fee after fee until the buyer stops paying. Here is how they work, the red flags to watch for, and how to check a seller before you send a single dollar.
How puppy scams work
A scammer builds a website or social media page with copied photos and text, lists popular breeds below the usual price, and answers every question quickly and warmly. Once you pay a deposit, a "shipping" or "pet transport" company appears and asks for more: crate fees, insurance, vaccination papers, a refundable climate-controlled crate, customs or quarantine charges. The puppy never arrives, and the money cannot be recovered.
Red flags
- The price is far below what ethical breeders of that breed charge.
- The seller will not do a live video call with the puppy, or will not let you visit.
- Payment only by wire transfer, gift cards, Zelle, Cash App, Venmo friends-and-family, or cryptocurrency.
- The same puppy photos appear on other websites (check with a reverse image search).
- A pet transport or shipping company you have never heard of contacts you with new fees.
- Pressure to pay today because "other families are interested".
- No verifiable address, no health records, no contract, no registration details you can check with the registry.
How to check a seller before you pay
- Search the program on PuppyReports and open its PuppyReports™ Card: documentation on file, Family Experiences and public Concern Flags in one place.
- Ask for a live video call with the puppy and the parents, with today's date written on paper.
- Reverse image search every photo.
- Ask for veterinary records and the litter registration number, and confirm them with the vet and the registry directly.
- Pay with a credit card or another method with buyer protection, never with gift cards, wire transfers or crypto.
- Pick the puppy up in person whenever you can.
If you were scammed
Report it right away to the Federal Trade Commission, the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), the BBB Scam Tracker, and your bank or card issuer. Then file a Concern Flag on PuppyReports so the next family sees the warning on that program's Card.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell if a puppy seller is a scam?
Watch for prices far below normal, refusal to video call or allow a visit, payment only by wire, gift cards, Zelle, Cash App or crypto, stolen photos, and surprise shipping or crate fees. Check the seller's PuppyReports Card and reverse image search the photos before paying.
Is it safe to buy a puppy online and have it shipped?
Shipping is where most puppy scams happen. Pick the puppy up in person when you can, pay only with a method that has buyer protection, and treat any new "transport" fee after your deposit as a red flag.
Where do I report a puppy scam?
Report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov, the BBB Scam Tracker, and your bank. You can also file a Concern Flag on PuppyReports so other families see it.
Does PuppyReports sell puppies?
No. PuppyReports never takes a commission on a puppy. It is a public research reference where families check a breeder, rescue or shelter's PuppyReports Card before they choose.
