If you are looking for a pet to add to your family, beware of scams. As consumers turn to the internet to find pets, experts say a shocking 80% of sponsored pet ads may be fake. Knowing the red flags associated with this scam can help avoid heartache and loss of money.
When a potential pet parent pursues a listing the scammer will typically refuses to let the consumer meet the pet before making payment. They claim that they use a pet delivery agency of some kind, often through an airline. BBB has received many reports of fake web pages even sometimes impersonating a real or sound alike business. Scammers continue the con making demands for vaccinations, special kennels and other last minute “needs.” Ultimately, the pet does not exist and the consumer has lost money and made an emotional investment.
Tactics used in pet scams continue to evolve and have spiked. The bottom line is that purchasing a pet remotely is very risky.
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Do your research. Only purchase from a known reputable breeder. Check their AKC status and BBB Business Profile on BBB.org or call us at 1-800-222-1600 before you make the purchase. Note that…
