Puppy scams are not only one of the most emotionally devastating scams, but a new Better Business Bureau study update also reveals victims are losing more money per incident than ever before.
In fact, average monetary losses are climbing, with an average loss of $850 in 2022, up 60% since 2017.
BBB has tracked this since 2017, when it issued an in-depth study Puppy Scams: How Fake Online Pet Sellers Steal from Unsuspecting Pet Buyers.
Yorkies, Dachshunds and French Bulldogs make up nearly 30% of all puppy scams, according to2022 BBB Scam Tracker reports.
However, consumers mentioned more than 40 breeds, meaning that buyers should be cautious when shopping for any breed online.
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These scams remain consistently profitable for scammers because their multi-tiered setup allows them to convincingly go back to a consumer several times to ask for money.
While the actual cases are down this past year, consumer losses to pet scams in North America across the country are expected to exceed $2 million. That’s about a third less than the peak of more than $3 million during the pandemic in 2020-2021. Those are figures from BBB Scam Tracker.
Because purchasing a pet can be such an emotional experience, the BBB urges consumers to be on high alert for scams.
Going for the heart is the way puppy scammers lure people in with fake websites, and promises of cute puppies, then ask for more money for shipping or special…
