A Valley woman, Tracy M., thought she had found her perfect furry companion through a social media site, only to fall victim to a puppy scam. Scammers often use stolen photos from legitimate breeders to lure unsuspecting buyers, and Tracy’s experience highlights the dangers many face in puppy scams.
After the loss of her beloved pet, Sushi, Tracy sought to fill the void with a new puppy. “I was going on Facebook and saw the puppy listing. It looked promising,” she recounted. The seller offered a teacup Yorkie for $700, and Tracy felt confident that they were legitimate.
The seller sent her pictures of the puppy and claimed it came with an American Kennel Club certification. He even warned her against breeding the dog to prevent puppy mills, assuring her that her $350 deposit would cover veterinary expenses.
“He texted me that night saying the vet check went well, and we’d meet on Sunday at 2 p.m.,” she recalled. However, when the time came to pick up her new puppy, the seller ghosted her, and all communication ceased.
“Everything was fake right down the line. I just didn’t see it coming,” Tracy lamented, heartbroken over the loss. She emphasized that her experience isn’t unique; in 2023 alone, Americans lost over $1 million in puppy scams.
“It’s not just about the money anymore. It’s the realization that I got scammed, and it can happen to anyone,” Tracy stated.
To help others avoid similar scams, Tracy offers several protective tips:
- Adopt Locally: Consider visiting animal shelters. Thousands of pets are in need of homes, and you can interact with them directly, reducing the risk of fraud.
- Verify Puppy Photos: Conduct a reverse image search to ensure the pictures haven’t been taken from other sites. If they appear elsewhere, it’s a red flag.
- Ask Questions: Inquire if you can visit the puppy or have a video chat. Request a recent photo of the seller holding a piece of paper with your name and the date—it’s harder to fake.
- Use Safe Payment Methods: Avoid paying through instant money transfer apps like Cash App or Venmo. Instead, opt for credit card transactions or PayPal’s Goods and Services for added security.