CLEVELAND, Ohio — A warning from the Better Business Bureau: this year's "Grinch" may be someone trying to con you, via an online puppy ad.
The BBB tracks these scams year round. In North America, the numbers of people falling victim is declining. That's the good news. But these crimes still account for about 18% of online frauds, costing pet lovers more than $2 million dollars.
"An average monetary loss in each of these reports is $850, which is up 60% since 2017," said Josh Planos from the Better Business Bureau.
Simply put: buying a puppy online is one of the riskiest purchases you can make.
Here are 5 signs of puppy scams:
1. The price is too good to be true. Do your homework on prices for breeds you are interested in. Purebreds sold at big discounts should be a big red flag.
2. No phone calls. A reputable breeder will always talk to you by phone, have you visit in person, or use video chat if that's not possible. "Phantom sellers" will prefer email, so as not to give you their phone number. They may also be outside the U.S.
3. Asks for wire transfer, gift cards, or quick cash apps, like Venmo or Zelle. If you choose a non-secured form of payment, there is a high likelihood you won't get your money back.
4. Stolen or fake photos. Use tools such as reverse image search, to make sure the photo of the puppy you want, wasn't swiped, or copied from another site. If that same photo pops up on multiple websites, you're likely dealing with a scammer.
5. The "seller" will only ship. If the only way to get the puppy, is to have it shipped, and the seller won't let you pick it up, that's another major red flag.
If you have your heart set on a purebred, research breeders in your area, using the AKC Marketplace. It's a great place to start, but make sure you still do your homework about the breed you are interested in.
Consider breed-specific rescues too. Just because a dog is in a rescue, doesn't mean it's not the perfect fit for you.
And, our favorite option at Ready Pet GO! check the local kennels. They are filled with wonderful dogs, ready to bring more love to your happy home.