fbpx

BBB Warns Of Phony Puppy Purchases

As an avid animal lover I believe there’s a special place in hell for pet scammers. No, not people that scam your pets, people that are scammer prospective pet buyers.

I will refrain from getting on my soap box about the benefits of adopting animals and the advantages of being a rescue parent (like myself!) but instead will bring to you news recently published by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) warning about pet purchasing scams.

Alaskan, Oregonian and Western Washingtonian BBBs have recently received reports of scams targeting consumers that are looking to purchase puppies online.

I would like for you to know that I am working really hard on not also soap boxing about buying pets online and shipping them.

Do You Have a Question You'd Like Help With? Contact Debt Coach Damon Day. Click here to reach Damon.

REALLY HARD

The BBB has reported that:

Legitimate-looking websites and classified ads entice pet shoppers with cute puppy pictures, detailed descriptions, and below-average prices. When shoppers contact sellers and attempt to make purchases, they are directed to wire money – typically overseas – to complete paperwork and secure shipping. Buyers then receive emails that contain shipping receipts, animal crate numbers, flight numbers and times, and other seemingly genuine information.

Unfortunately, there are no puppies; and flight information and courier names are rarely verifiable. BBB reports indicate that these scammers will go so far as to claim that animals have arrived locally, but cannot be released until further processing fees are paid by wire transfer.

One Virginia-based consumer wired $300 to Cameroon for two English Bulldogs that were to be delivered to his home via an Alaska-based moving company, but became suspicious after receiving a second invoice. He then called the moving company, which had no knowledge of the transaction.

When purchasing puppies online, there are several things to consider: