CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — The Better Business Bureau is warning people to watch out for online puppy-sale scams.
The Better Business Bureau said 35% of the complaints to its scam tracker involve pets.
Among them, people who offer a puppy for sale online but find a way to get you to give up your money without you ever seeing the pet in person or even in realtime online.
The BBB said the demand for “quarantine” puppies skyrocketed during the pandemic and with it a spike in online puppy scams.
In one case, a woman said that in April she paid a $500 deposit on a Cavapoo puppy she’d seen online. The seller sent her several still photos and asked for the rest of the money via Zelle. The woman’s bank flagged the move as a scam. The woman was still out the initial $500.
The business consumer organization said hose most often scammed range in age from ages 25 to 35. The average financial loss by those scammed is nearly $1,100 with most involving dogs but some also include cats, birds and even iguanas.
The BBB recommended that consumers ask to see the pet in person or on a video call before turning over any money, research what a fair price would be for the breed you’re thinking about and check out your local animal shelters online for pets you can meet before adopting.
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