During quarantine, breeders have seen an unprecedented demand for canine companions. But some sellers aren’t who they seem to be.
![Scammers are selling lonely quarantiners imaginary dogs](https://20627419.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/20627419/hubfs/The%20Hustle/Assets/Images/561587254-News-Brief_2020-09-07T004838.867Z.webp?width=595&height=400&name=561587254-News-Brief_2020-09-07T004838.867Z.webp)
In the biggest pet peccadillo since 101 Dalmatians, fraudsters are taking victims for a walk by selling them… imaginary dogs.
From mid-February through July, the Better Business Bureau has received 2k+ pet scam reports in the US and Canada — 3x last year’s figure.
Some scammers are super savvy
They build slick websites with dozens of pooch pics and fake testimonials from “satisfied clients.” Often, photos of the ultra-stylish Pugdashian posse and Norman the Pomsky are hijacked from their owners’ Instagram accounts and used to lure in victims.
When these individuals out to purchase a pup, they’re told to pay online and the dog will be delivered in a few weeks. And that’s the last they hear from the Shih Tzu charlatans.
Some have lost thousands of dollars buying dogs that don’t exist. And recouping losses is usually a no-go, since many scammers are located overseas.
The American Kennel Club’s got your back
How do you sidestep a swindler? Here are some tips:
- If they insist on communicating only by email, they’re probably trying to hide that they’re overseas.
- If a reverse image search shows photos on a seller’s website appearing elsewhere, that’s a red flag.
- Just say no to Venmo. Asking for wire transfers or payment with gift cards also are signs of a sketchball.