Puppy scams are among the most reported online scams in the US. They almost always follow the same pattern: a cute puppy at a low price, a seller who cannot meet, and a request for payment that cannot be reversed.
Red flags
- You cannot see the puppy in person or on a live video call.
- Payment by wire transfer, Zelle, gift cards, crypto or a money app, especially before you have seen the puppy.
- Extra fees after you pay: "shipping crate", "insurance", "vaccines", "pet transport".
- A price far below other breeders of the same breed in your area.
- Copied photos. A reverse image search often shows the same puppy on other sites.
- The phone number or address does not match where they say they are. We flag distant phone numbers on listings with almost no reviews.
What to do instead
Visit, or at least do a live video call with the puppy and its mother. Ask for the parents' health test results and a written contract. Pay with a method that has buyer protection. If you were scammed, report it to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and to the Better Business Bureau Scam Tracker.